Seed Houses
Spee-D-Flow Seed House
Air Relief Ventilation System: The exclusive air relief ventilation system, which has a 18" cupola the full length of the roof, allows the bins to be filled to capacity. Other designs do not allow complete filling of the bins.
Fast and Efficient Unloading: Vertical funnel panel allows for faster and easier unloading.
Maximum Structural Integrity: All funnel panels are 12-gauge with galvanized surfaces.
The two center vertical wide flange "H Beam" columns extend the full height of the bins and are connected with a 6" truss to form the strongest steel support system ever used on a seed house.
All column, cross beams, wind trusses, angles, etc. are painted with a zinc chromate primer and then a high-grade paint. This makes for a lasting and attractive appearance.
Anchor bolts and foundation layout plans are provided, along with complete erection plans.
The base plates under the columns are 12" square and 3/4" thick. This is an extremely important feature for stability of a structure of this kind under heavy stress loads.
Galvanized side wall panels of the house are 10' tall and 12" wide with a double break and four bolts for each 10' section. This makes for an extremely high wind resistant structure. The side wall panels, roof panels and corner wall panels are 20-guage galvanized.
The structure is totally bolted, which allows the house to be moved or expanded if the need arises.
Elevated Seed House Maintenance
Throughout the cotton belt, the image of the elevated seed house next door to the gin building has become iconic. After 50+ years, these steel buildings, constructed 14 feet above ground, on "stilts" continue to be an effective solution for short term storage of cotton seed.
When fully loaded, the "double hopper" seed house weighs 200,000+ pounds. This massive load hovers above trucks and personnel, so structural integrity is critical.
Cliff Granberry Corporation's "Spee-D-flow" overhead seed house has been a standard of the industry since 1965. President, Jim Granberry, son of founder Clifford Granberry 94, was recently interviewed. He had this to say about proper maintenance of overhead seed storage houses...
"Many of these houses are now 30 or 40 years old. Some have been moved from gin to gin. The move itself can weaken the structure. I've gotten frantic calls during the ginning season about structural failures. Through the years, moisture and chemicals from seed along with humidity causes the inevitable... rust and corrosion. Since this occurs inside the house, it's out of sight and out of mind. When a structural failure happens, personnel are at risk of injury from falling steel and of being buried literally by tons of seed. 'Down time' from a structural failure also causes economic harm to the gin."
When asked what maintenance tips he recommends for gin management, Granberry suggested the following... "As soon as possible after the last load of seed is discharged at the end of the ginning season, inspect the inside of the seed house and remove all remaining seed with a moderately high pressure wash. Typically, seed collects in the steel channels at the base of the side wall panels. Most are designed with "weep holes" that get clogged with seed. Be sure the holes are cleaned thoroughly to allow water to drain out. Remove all rust and corrosion with a wire brush and apply rust inhibiting paint as necessary to retard further deterioration. Examine all areas for loose and missing hardware and tighten or replace as necessary. Search for metal fatigue. Repair or replace as needed. Many older seed houses were built without guards on the exterior inspection ladders, so these should be added to prevent injuries from falls. Of course proper safety precautions should be taken by all personnel who perform any maintenance and repair procedures."
Granberry closed by stating ... "When extensive repairs are indicated, it's often more economical to replace the seed house."
Contact Jim Granberry at 972-381-8899