Used grain bins

[Jessie_Scott_SF]

In Successful Farming magazine we recently featured a farmer who installed used grain bins on his farm. He said he purchased the two 66,000-bushel bins for less than the price of one new bin that size. Read the article here: Grain Bins on a Budget.

Has anyone else had any luck with used grain bins? Do you worry about the quality of the used bins compared to buying new?

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

When putting up a used grain bin, one has to compare the costs between new and used.  Here are a few:

Concrete - same 

Electric - same

Erection costs - same

Structure - variable, but one should buy new bolts and fasteners and perhaps new floor supports if required.

Features - a new bin may have better design and may have newer and better safety features than an older bin.

One is left with finding the savings in the steel.  Used steel may well be a bargain if it is in good condition and meets the needs.

I agree 100% that a used bin can be a very good bargain.  It seems one should use a sharp pencil and have a very good idea of what one is getting and how it will meet ones' needs.

[mjniebrugge]

That's all I have ever bought. Every bin has cost me less than $1 per bushel erected. For 100,000 bushels of storage under $1.00 a bushel. I don't see a problem. Helps I have a brother who moves them for a living