Concrete block silos

Dave H (MI) · Feb 13, 2017

Been working on this topic for a while. Up until a couple years ago when an idiot with a sledge hammer came along, there was a really nice cement block silo on our place. The foundation is still there and I would like to rebuild it. Mostly for looks, I don't know that I would ever use it...but maybe. Are there any companies that still make silo blocks? It was about 14' diameter and 50-60' high. Don't want a harvestore or a poured silo. Looking for the block type with the metal bands.

Mike M · Feb 13, 2017

I seem to remember seeing a silo or 2 like that around here in Ohio. I think it was in the open and the barn was long gone. Now you have me wondering where it was at ? If I find it I'll let you know as maybe you can get it for removal ?

NY 986 · Feb 13, 2017

Try Lancaster Silo Equipment in Lancaster, PA.

Wilberton · Feb 13, 2017

Here's a wood-stave grain bin I picked up a couple of years ago. Took it down and will be putting it up on my place. Like you, I'm just doing it for the look.

Bill in IL · Feb 13, 2017

You could build one and store your grain in it. A stave silo would not be the best structure to store grain but if you had it out by spring time you would probably be fine. You would also have to be careful filling and removing grain from the center so you would not tip it over. At least this way it would have a legitimate purpose.

Wilberton · Feb 13, 2017

Yes, I think the weight of the grain alone would cause it to rise up and spill out (wood stave sile). If you look at the original photo you will see it had steel cable tied around the outside to hold it down.

coonie minnie · Feb 13, 2017

Was it block, or concrete stave? I'm guessing the latter. You COULD have one built, and put your grain in it... and you could put an aeration floor in the bottom. They could be made heavy enough by making sure there are enough hoops.

But wait a minute... last month there was no way you could afford a new bin, and now you want to put up a silo just for looks???

NY 986 · Feb 13, 2017

If this is true then I must be missing something. No way would I put up a stave silo in place of a grain bin to store grain. Bad enough when a bin w/o aeration has to be used.

ohiojim · Feb 13, 2017

they're everywhere here in central ohio, don't know if they can be bought...my friend even has one. and as stated before the barn is long gone from silo unloader shorting out.

just another old geezer · Feb 13, 2017

There is at least 1 company still doing it. But one of that size will set you back about $25,000. New staves and steel parts can be had at the old Rochester silo place on HI way 29 in west Clark co Wisconsin. I can get you specifics if you need them.

just another old geezer · Feb 13, 2017

Used ones can be had for taking them down all over Wisconsin. I know of 3 within 2 miles. but you would need 3 flatbed semis to haul it all.

Dave H (MI) · Feb 13, 2017

Thanks but no. What I am looking for is to restore something to the property, not something new. I will be rebuilding the old dairy barn and the silo was alongside it. I don't need something that fancy.

Dave H (MI) · Feb 13, 2017

Mental illness runs in my family. You need to meet my brother to understand. I'm not going to store anything in it. It's a long story but I am restoring the old barn and I want to put up something like the old silo. Don't want to go broke doing it.

Dave H (MI) · Feb 13, 2017

I don't know what I will do with it when/if I get one up...but not likely it will be ag related. The barn will be used for storage and kennels when I get it done. The old milk house is already converted to a sauna. This is all up by the road. I keep the farm stuff in the back and I have bins going up for my grain back there.

Dave H (MI) · Feb 13, 2017

No...that's OK. There are a ton of them around here. There are issues with moving these. There is a really good book on Kindle if you have one that tells you all about concrete silos. There were a LOT of companies that made them and they are all different. Some companies sold machines and you made your own block for the silo. The difficulty in moving them arises in that some of them are grouted. Not talking about a skin of cement on the inside, most have that. Grout is used to fill voids in the block. If grouted you will play the devil getting the blocks apart. Not just a matter of removing the steel hoops. Gets more difficult in that you really have to be at the TOP of one to determine if it will come apart easily. My personal opinion is that anyone who climbs the steel ladder on the side of one of these has a death wish...so you need a lift. Kind of expensive to rent a lift just to look down inside a silo. If I could find one locally that is not grouted, I would happily take it down and move it. Like that fella told my wife last month...he ain't afraid of hard work!

JOCCO · Feb 13, 2017

Can't really help much but there are lots of stuff on the net and in some farm magazines. Some around me mostly gone now and my favorite the old wooden ones.

Nick167 · Feb 13, 2017

If your interested I know where there is one you could have for taking it down the bottom isn't in good shape I'm not sure about the top I could get some pictures of you're interested it's in Crawford county Ohio

massey 333 · Feb 13, 2017

Dave,I don't think Old Geezer is off much(a little high maybe)just to TAKE down-Move-Put back up a used "FREE"silo. You may not think so,but that silo may have had tobe taken down because it was becoming a SAFETY Hazzard.Due to acid going into the concrete they become brittle and start caving in after not being used for some years.A roof helps but still can go bad.

farmerwithmutt · Feb 13, 2017

The Amish take them down and resize them all the time. They take each stave loose and drop it into a pile of sand kid runs in grabs it before the next one comes down. Neighbors kid was a little slow ended up splitting his skull he was better off than his uncle he fell off and didn't make it. Going up its a wench and motor same careless manner surprise to me more don't get hurt. As long as there not jetcreted they will come apart.

bwillett · Feb 13, 2017

Mason & Lawrence Ribstone Urbana, OH 43078 - YP.com

Josh-nhihguy · Feb 13, 2017

Took down this 80' stave silo last summer at my Grandpa's place. The old barn and newer barn were attached off to the left side. It had been 20 years since any of it was last used for milking. My dad is the one in the picture... Him and Grandpa milked together his entire life until they couldn't afford it anymore. The silo was the main source of storage up until the end. I'm 28 years old and I can remember using it like it was yesterday. The brand new silo unloader at the bottom was hauled away with the rest of it.

Traditional Farmer · Feb 13, 2017

For what you're going to do you might want to check at a concrete block plant,we used to make a silo block with the block machine same as any other 8x16 block except it was curved
slightly.They'll be cheaper than the old style silo block and a lot lighter.

Loantaka · Feb 13, 2017

Dave, I wish you good luck in finding a silo you can take down and rebuild. Our farm had wood stave silos that per grandma's diary sometimes blew down in storms. Hard times on the farm. The silos are gone now. Can't say that I ever remember seeing them in my lifetime but it would look nice to have one back.

Funny you mention you've made the milk house into a sauna. I've been thinking of doing that with ours. What are you using for a heat source? Do you have any plans you could share? First I have to fix the foundation and floor. And one wall that has settled. It is eroded out, one third settling and cracking and not good. Almost think I should tear it (milk house) down and build something more practical but it would change the character of the place. Whole barn really needs new foundation. We (mostly my late parents) saved it from collapsing by fixing roof and siding in the late 1980's and early 1990's; and now we keep it painted. But the foundations have me concerned now.

Bob Harvey · Feb 13, 2017

" ain't afraid of hard work" and "slightly nutz " are two different issues ! ;^)

Dave H (MI) · Feb 13, 2017

Never thought of that...good idear! Thanks!

JD Seller · Feb 13, 2017

Dave there are hundreds of concrete stave silos around me that would be free for the taking. Either the unloaders are bad, the livestock gone or they have out grow the silos. Up right silos are slow to feed out if your feeding many head of livestock these days.

JMS/.MN · Feb 14, 2017

Used to be a restaurant in Litchfield, MN called The Farmer"s Daughter. Barn type front, with a silo, complete with curved roof, as the front entry. Was sold to the local VFW. They removed the roof and took out the short staves, which are used to make the top staves level....resulting in a "parapet" at the top. Always thought that was unique, a nice military touch.

Stephen Newell · Feb 14, 2017

I think when you find someone to build one the sticker shock will blow you away. If you want it just for show you might consider building a shell out of wood and cover the outside with fake bricks. You could leave a hollow spot in the center with a hoist and make a floor every 8' and use it for storage.

Dave H (MI) · Feb 14, 2017

The difficulty always arises in that it has to be the right size for the existing footing AND the inevitable grouting. I can tell you from the Kindle book that there were a couple of manufacturers that made interlocking blocks and did not require grout. I would think these would have been popular. Having grouted a block wall recently...and that was only one bond beam midway on the wall...I can tell you it is a lot of friggin work. Hauling up 40 ft...hmmmm

Dave H (MI) · Feb 14, 2017

I'm going out there today. I will get some pictures for you. Don't think I have the time to fire it up...although it is tempting. Tax season...don't you know. I will get you some pictures.

LarryH · Feb 14, 2017

here in ky the amish have crews that will rework them taske them down etc etc

ss55 · Feb 14, 2017

Fourteen foot diameter isn't a lot of floor space. If you build the new silo can you build it to serve a modern purpose that could add value to your property: tool shed; storage shed; lawn mower storage; feed shed; chicken coop; sheep or goat barn; calf barn; grainery?

Some of the reasons so many obsolete buildings and silos are torn down include: reducing property taxes, reducing insurance costs; clearing the space for other uses; eliminate potential dangers; preparing the property for sale (many potential buyers see obsolete buildings as a liability because it will cost them money to have them removed). I would check with your county tax assessor, insurance agent and a local realtor to find out what the hidden costs of a new silo might be. When it's time to sell the property, it's possible the new silo could hurt your property value.

I do appreciate your later "surprised" post that you don't like unwanted advice. These are simply some of the things I would take into account before building a new silo, they may not apply in your situation.

sammydwm · Feb 14, 2017

farm next to me has a 24x80 sitting that hasn't been used for many years. Guy that bought the place thought he'd like to have that silo moved to his main farm a couple of years ago...was quoted over 17,000 from the local Amish place. It's still here...
See ads for silos all the time for free.

Concrete block silos

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