Farmer’ Bins

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31089, 18 June 1966, Page 8

Farmer’ Bins

'J'HOSE associated with the handling of fertiliser for the aerial topdressing industry feel that the storage bin on the farm airstrip can play a vital part in increasing the efficiency of the industry. Because of the importance of superphosphate in farming today these bins to keep fertiliser dry might well be looked on as just as necessary as hay or implement sheds. The bins in the photograph at the top of this page are on the Mount Benger property of Fraser brothers’ in the Hurunui district. Each has a capacity of 40 tons. Materials alone for the two bins cost £385 and, in addition, cement cost £29.

The Mount Benger bins have concrete floors, with a concrete apron in front, wooden walls and sliding corrugated iron roof sections which slide back on rails to open the shed up for loading fertiliser in or taking it out again. They were erected by the Fraser brothers themselves. Materials for these bins came from Amberley Timber

Merchants. Mr T. Tucker, manager for the firm, said this week the eost of materials only for a 40-ton wooden bin was about £l7B. This was for a bin measuring 20ft by 16ft by sft high. This shed had sliding corrugated iron roof sections, with an under purlin running the whole length of the roof to facilitate movement of the roof. Roof purlins are 6in by 2in. Posts are Bft tall by sin by 3in and for each post there is an Bft long by 4in by 3in stay which is idealily set into concrete. The wall sheathing is 6in by 2in timber. The doors in the front are of tongue and groove, and all of the timber is treated. Plans are available to go with the material and help with the erection of the bin. The floor may be concreted or compacted lime may be used. For the expenditure of another £5O to £6O odd for materials, Mr Tucker estimated that it would be possible to add 10ft in length to provide space for about a further 20 tons.