Moving a 7ton capacity grain bin

[sawtooth]

Hello,

I’ve located a 7ton grain bin and would like to put it on my 84” wide trailer that’s 21’ in length. The bin is 16’ tall and 6’ diameter. Anyone ever done this before?

 

[George2615]

I've seen it done in my area with a vehicle escort service. With the bin at 16' sitting vertical on a trailer bed 24" tall put the top at 18' off the ground. The escort service had to plan the route and block various intersections because the trailer had to move to various positions on the road to clear traffic lights and low hanging wires.
Most of the problem was the low wires which had to be lifted while the trailer passed under them.
Wouldn't be a problem if you could lay it down on the trailer and strap it down.

 

[sawtooth]

That’s what I was thinking so next question is how to get it down on its side then re erect it back up later.

 

[Stimw]

If you brace and reinforce it with 2 X 4's using a screw gun it should be easy to turn on it's side and load.

 

[oosik]

Around here a lot of the big liquid fertilizer tanks are moved on tandem axle trailers - pulled by pickup trucks. They look to be 12' to 14' tall and probably 10' in diameter. They are laid down and strapped down. Never seen an escort vehicle - just a lot of flashing lights.

These fertilizer tanks are incorporated with the gigantic sprinkler pivots.

 

[Peter 315]

Use two tractors one to pull it over and the other one to lower (guide) it down

 

[George2615]

I spoke to the guy who had the one I saw moved a few weeks later at the diner and asked him about it. He told me they used a crane to lift and set on the trailer. Between the crane and escort service and permits he said it cost a fortune. I asked why they didn't lay it down and he said the bin was designed to be upright and wasn't structurally strong enough to lay it down. I don't know but assume that's true. I would think there should be a way to add cross bracing inside to strengthen it for transport.
I'm guessing you are looking at one already built. I'm no farmer but doesn't the company that sells them build them on site? All the extra cost could be avoided if they did.

 

[Peter 315]

Looks like it weighs about 750 pounds

 

[Peter 315]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXw1dAn1SYw

 

[George2615]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXw1dAn1SYw

Excellent find Peter. All Sawtooth needs is the properly equipped trailer.