What Is a Grain Bin Bolt?

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A grain bin is a storage structure usually found on agricultural or farming property. And, you guessed it—it’s used to stock agricultural products – like wheat. The grain bin must be able to resist thousands of pounds of grain being dumped into and removed from it on a regular basis. It also needs to be weather-tight to ensure the product isn’t damaged.

You likely have a complex grain system, but the core of your system is the bin. Ensuring that your grains are stored safely requires your grain bin to be strong and reliable. And this comes down to the nuts and bolts, quite literally. Grain bin bolts are extremely strong pieces of steel that hold the grain bin in place and together, making sure that it can resist pressure, weather, and heavy loads.

The grain bin bolts are required to be high in quality and durable to ensure safe grain storage all year round. That means that the design, materials, and manufacturing process matter. You can’t risk having a weak grain bin bolt holding your bin together. Now let’s get into it a little deeper.

Design

Your bolt has to be manufactured based on the configurations of your grain bin. To get the right bolts, you should find a manufacturer that has experienced engineers on staff. These engineers can help you make sure the bolts you get will fit properly in your bin and will be able to withstand the weight you’re putting in it. The size and configuration of your bolts will make a difference, and the engineers can help you choose the right ones.

Strength

Strength is the single most important aspect of your grain bin bolt. To ensure you get the strength needed for your grain bin, you can’t skimp on quality when it comes to the grade of steel you pick for your bolts. The higher the grade, the stronger the bolt. But this also comes with a price: the highest steel grades will also be the priciest. Structures used in the agricultural and farming industries need to be heavy duty, so choosing the right grade—one that is hardened for the most demanding applications—is vital.

Tight Seal

Your anchor system is what will allow you to keep a tight seal in the walls of your bin. Wear and tear, rust, and leaks can be detrimental in the grain business. If your grain bin bolt can’t withstand extreme weather conditions and will easily deteriorate, you could be losing a ton of money.

Without a weather-tight seal, your grain bin could allow cold winter and warm summer air to enter along the walls, leading to moisture. This moisture can reach your grain and create major spoilage. Just as detrimental to your business is the possibility of insect infestation. If your bin’s walls aren’t air tight, bugs can crawl in and ruin your grain, making it unsellable.

Your bolts are vital to the quality of your grain bin. They provide the support and seal needed to keep your grains safe during storage. Bad bolts can lead to a weakened structure and leaks that can cause moisture and infestations that can spoil your grain. If you’re making a grain bin, don’t skimp out on the bolts to save a few bucks—you’ll regret it in the long run. The damage can cost you far more money than the bolts were originally worth.

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