Agri-Systems FAQ
1.1
How do I get to your location, once I am in Litchfield?
Once in Litchfield, take Hwy 22 South. Remain on Hwy 22 until you depart Litchfield. There will be a small lake, East Lake Ripley on your right, and we are across from that on the left(East) side of the road, right along the highway. You will see a sign for the Litchfield Municipal Airport, as you take the left we will be there on the corner.
1.2
Does Agri-Systems sell grain bins online?
Yes, we can sell any size grain bin online. The easiest method is materials only, to anywhere in the world. Erecting the grain bin may be a different story, it may not be logistically or financial feasible for us to erect a grain bin for you if the location is a great distance from Minnesota. We may be able to help you fin a grain bin erector in your area though.
1.3
Do you sell grain bin packages?
We work with your grain needs and situation to help find the best grain storage and grain handling solution. We will get you the best grain setup for your farm operation. We pride ourselves in helping design grain systems.
1.4
Do you sell grain bins or silos in Mexico?
We absolutely can sell any grain handling, grain conditioning, or grain storage equipment to anyone, no matter if they are our neighbors in Mexico or Canada, or all the way in China. Grain bins are like any other product, they can be shipped to your location.
1.5
Have you built grain silos or grain bins in China?
We have never erected a grain bin in China, however we would sell the grain bin materials if desired
1.6
Are you a bin erector?
We do erect grain bins. We sell and erect grain bins, grain handling, and grain drying equipment.
1.7
Are you a grain bin dealer in Minnesota only?
We are a grain bin dealer located in central Minnesota, but we would be happy to help you with a project regardless of your location.
1.8
Where can i buy a grain bin?
You've come to the right place to purchase your next grain bin. Please give us a call to help find out what your grain storage needs are.
1.9
Do you do service work on grain bins?
Absolutely, we can service all types of grain bins, grain dryers, and handling equipment.
1.10
Do you do grain bin repairs?
We have done much repair work on grain systems, give us a call to see if we can help fix your grain storage or grain handling equipment.
2.1
How can weather affect my grain in storage?
In cold weather situations the metal sidewalls of the grain bin will cool the grain in contact with the wall and cause moisture to develop and eventually accumulate in the center at the top of the bin. In warm weather situations moisture will develop also but it settles on the bottom of the bin instead of the top. This moisture is the number one factor in spoilage.
2.2
What is "tensile strength"?
Simply put tensile strength is the amount of force that can be exerted on a material before it will tear apart.
2.3
Why do your bin capacities differ from your competitors for the same size bin?
When figuring the load capacity of our bins we take into account 6% compaction. We find that 6% gives a fair account of the bin's true holding capacity. If our competitors choose to use a smaller percentage of compaction in their figures they could appear to be able to hold more grain.
2.4
Can I paint my grain bin?
Yes, it can take several steps of removing any finishes or foreign material and applying a zinc heavy primer and paint but it can be done. For more information you should contact your grain bin manufacturer to make sure you apply the appropriate primers and paint.
2.5
Do you sell Butler Grain Bins?
Brock Bins, or CTB Inc, bought out Butler Mfg. in 1997. This acquisition gives our Brock products over 150 years of experience in the Grain Storage Industry.
3.1
How much is a bushel?
Bushels are a unit used to measure dry volume. A bushel is equal to 1.24 cubic feet.
3.2
What is compaction?
Compaction is the consolidation of grain when it is pushed down in a grain bin due to the weight of the grain above it. Compaction varies from bin to bin based upon the type of grain, moisture content, method of filling, bin size, and sidewall material.
3.3
What brand of grain bins do you sell?
We sell Brock Grain bins, the most reputable brand in the grain storage industry.
3.4
Where is your nearest grain bin dealer in Minnesota?
Although we are based out of Litchfield, MN, we can work with you on your grain facility whereever your location may be.
3.5
Can i buy the air system parts from you and install the air system by myself?
Yes, if you have the capabilities to install the system, we could design the airsystem layout and provide you with all the tubing, elbows, couplers, deadheads, blower, airlock, etc.
3.6
Do you sell grain elevators or grain legs?
Yes we do, to learn more about this grain handling option, please go to our bucket elevator link.
3.7
What is a pneumatic grain conveying system?
A pneumatic grain conveying systems is a long name for what is commonly refered to in the industry as an air system. Air Systems move grain on a cushion of air, with the use of a blower and galvanized tubing. Please click on our air system link to learn more on pneumatic grain conveying systems.
3.8
Do you carry false floors for grain bins?
Yes, we sell floors for grain bins. We can get perforated drying floors for any size grain bin. Give us a call to learn more about our drying floor options for your specific grain bin.
3.9
Do you sell just the door for a grain bin?
We can sell just a grain bin door, yes. All we would need is the necessary information on your bin: size, brand, type of corrugation, etc.
3.10
What is the difference between a narrow corrugation grain bin and a wide corrugation grain bin.
Narrow corrugation grain bins have a distance of 2.66" from the center of the corrugation to the center of the corrugation. Wide corrugation tanks have 4 inches. Generally wide corrugation grain bins have body sheets that are 44" tall, whild narrow corrugation sheets are only 32" tall
3.11
Why does the capacity stated for a grain bin of the exact same size vary between different grain bin manufacturers?
No matter what color a grain bin is, what logo it has on it, or who sells it, two grain bins with the same dimensions hold the same amount of grain or product. Some companies will exagerate or use an unusual way of measuring capacity to make their cost per bushel appear less than the competition.
3.12
How do you build grain bins?
Grain bins are built from the top down. We start with the top ring being built on the foundation, and then construct the roof on top of that. Once the first ring and roof of the grain bin are built, it is time to jack the tank. We use specially make jacks, spaced evenly around the bin to lift the tank in the air. Grain bin jacks can be manually jacked/ winched by hand, or for bigger grain bins we will use electric or hydraulic jacks. We lift it just high enough to putanother ring on, and then repeat the process until it is done.
3.13
Can i buy grain bin roof vents from you?
Yes. We always have grain bin roof vents in stock.
3.14
Can i buy just a grain bin roof?
We do sell complete grain bin roofs, or individual grain bin roof sheets if you have several damaged roof sheets. Agri-Systems can get any size roof sheets to fit your grain bin.
3.15
Do you handle used grain bins?
We do sometimes have used grain bins in stock, however we don't have large quantities. Let us know what type of grain bin you are looking for.
3.16
Do you sell manhole covers for grain bins? How about dome covers for grain bins?
We sell both man hole covers and dome covers for grain bins.
3.17
Would it be possible for me to buy just the grain bin bolts from you? I have an old grain bin that i am putting up and all the washers are shot on the bolts.
We can get you the right bolts for your grain bin no problem.
3.18
My boy ran the skidsteer in to the sidewall of our wet storage grain bin, is it possible to replace body sheets on a grain bin?
Yes, you can replace body sheets on grain bins. We would need to know the brand of grain bin, diameter and height, the type of corrugation, and what tier the sheets will be in.
3.19
Can you move grain bins?
Grains bins can be moved no matter what size. Grain bin moving all depends on the size and distance. If the bin is too big to lift or transport whole, the bin can be dissassembled and then reassembled at your new grain bin site.
3.20
If i purchased a grain bin from you, would you pour the grain bin foundation too?
We sure can do the grain bin foundation as well, in fact, must of the bins we sell and erect we also to the concrete work.
3.21
WHere can i find a grain bin erector in Minnesota?
You just found your grain bin erector, Agri-Systems, Inc.
3.22
Do you do commercial millwright work for grain elevators, farmers coops, or ethanol plants?
Agri-Systems has full millwright services, we can handle any millwright job, whether on farm, ethanol plant, or the local elevator.