Over the season humidity/dampness and possible water contamination may cause some product to stick to the side walls of the silo and can also build up and block the delivery system.
GrainCorp Technical Feed Partner, Ken Winter says “This material can become stale and mouldy creating a contamination/health, palatability, and blockage risk.”
Tips for a pre-season check:
The silo
- turn off any power supply first
- bang silo the walls around the circumference with a rubber mallet to loosen any old product that may be stuck to the side
- remove the “boot” at the base of the silo
- inspect and clean out any old material
- inspect with a torch from top and bottom and repeat cleaning process as needed
- open any side shoots, clean, and inspect
- inspect and clean entry to the auger
- inspect lid seal, closure, and operation
- we recommend using a safety harness or getting a qualified person for this work
The Feed System
- check all entry points on the auger line to the dropper
- check for blockages or build-up of material
- clean out any old product and make sure compartments are clean, seals are in place, and shut off valve seal properly
- the delivery pipe to the feed bins can also generate build-up depending on the product used and exposure to humidity and wet
- replace any missing down pipes
Calibration
- if there is a split Y pipe feeding two bins from one header, make sure the delivery rate is equal. You will need to run the product through for this and calibrate by weighing
- calibrate weights regularly on all droppers, particularly when the product changes.
