Grain silos, tanks, and bins are storage methods in a grain elevator facility. Feed silos are used for storing forage for cows. Silos have been used since the mid-1800s and are typically unloaded using gravity and mechanical unloading equipment. Grain tanks are unloaded by gravity alone.
Sometimes known as a grain silo, a grain silo is a component of a barn structure. Most often, the grain elevator, containing the grain bin, will also include grain silos and/or grain tanks. Thus, grain silos, grain silos, and grain tanks are differentiating terms for the storage methods in the grain elevator facility. The grain elevator facility actually contains a bucket elevator that is used to haul the grain up to the top of the facility, where it is unloaded into silos, silos, or tanks.
In some cases, a feed silo is mistaken for a grain silo and vice versa. However, a feed silo is most commonly a structure used for farm storage, the storage of forage for cows. The typical tower silo that can often be seen next to a dairy barn usually contains “silage”, which is fermenting the forage for the dairy cows. This forage is needed as feed for dairy cows so they can continue to produce milk during the winter months, usually the non-producing months.
Since the mid-1800s, silos have been used more frequently to store grain, although they are still called grain elevators in many cases. This is because they are often linked together to look like one structure. Also, grouped grain silos are usually loaded from a single bucket elevator.
While there are several methods used to empty grain from a silo, tank, or silo, gravity is the preferred method. However, it is usually only one part of the process, usually augmented by conveyors, sweeping augers and other mechanical unloading devices. A grain bin is typically unloaded by a gravity feed system to begin with. Doors are opened at the bottom of the bin and the bin essentially empties directly into the transport vehicle or onto a conveyor belt. The conveyor system then feeds the grain into the bulk carrier.
The grain that remains on the flat bottom of the bin is swept to the discharge ports with a sweeping auger. A sweep auger, half the diameter of the bin, rotates around the bottom of the bin sweeping remaining grain to the discharge ports. Thus, a small amount of grain remains at the bottom of the bin.
Grain tanks are unloaded a little differently than bins and silos. Grain tanks are often conical at the bottom. Thus, the grain is unloaded strictly by gravity. A grain silo, like a grain silo, usually requires the use of mechanical unloading equipment and conveyor belts to empty.
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