Coal Delivery, Bin Access?

 
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tcalo
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Post by tcalo » Sun. Aug. 25, 2013 4:42 pm

First off, a big thank you to VigIIPeaBurner for all of his help! I'm planning on building a coal bin to hold 4 tons of nut coal. I plan on building my bin L8.5 x W4.5 x H6. It will be constructed with outside framing. I calculated about 177 square feet on the inside of the bin. I plan on making one of the 4.5' sides with removable boards for easy access once the coal gets low enough. This same side will have a gap at the bottom so I will be able to shovel the coal out. I plan on putting a fixed gable roof on the bin. I plan on making a 12" x 12" access panel in the gable above the removable boards to allow for the coal delivery. I've done endless research for a design that would be easy for my wife to use, also blends in with our property nicely. I was going to make the roof open on hinges for deliveries, but was afraid it may be too heavy... :shock: . Sorry for the extreme detail, I'm just trying to paint a visual picture to make my question clear!

Finally...my question! How much shoveling is involved when getting a bulk delivery? Does the coal level off by itself as it flows or do you need to push it around to fill the corners of the bin? My concern is the access panel I plan on making will restrict someone from being able to physically push the coal around if needed. I'm afraid the coal may just mound up in the middle of the bin. If this happens then I'm SOL... :o ! I guess I could always make the bin larger to allow for this, but then I feel it would be wasted space. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Sun. Aug. 25, 2013 4:48 pm

I had to get in my bin and push it towards the far side. I did it as it was being poured in. Was kinda challenging to keep up with the rate it dumped. Took about 10 minutes to pour 6 tons hahaha.

 
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Post by coalnewbie » Sun. Aug. 25, 2013 5:14 pm

It's simple



 
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Post by Lightning » Sun. Aug. 25, 2013 5:28 pm

Yeah I can relate to that :lol:

 
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tcalo
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Post by tcalo » Sun. Aug. 25, 2013 5:54 pm

WOW, my back hurts just from watching that guy... :crutch:

 
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Post by Richard S. » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 1:46 am

tcalo wrote:First off, a big thank you to VigIIPeaBurner for all of his help! I'm planning on building a coal bin to hold 4 tons of nut coal. I plan on building my bin L8.5 x W4.5 x H6. It will be constructed with outside framing. I calculated about 177 square feet on the inside of the bin. I plan on making one of the 4.5' sides with removable boards for easy access once the coal gets low enough.
They have what is commonly referred to as the short chute that narrows down to about 8 or 10 inches but that is a PITA. The hole should be at least 16 inches wide as that is the standard width of chute, but that is the minimum and doesn't provide much wiggle room for pointing the chute to another direction of the bin. When you have a bin like that you first fill it up in front of the opening. Then you lay another chute flat on the pile you just made and you can turn it left and right, once it piles up in front of the chute you push it in more. You could make the whole gable a panel that can be taken off and if the truck has access to both sides put an access panel on both sides. From what you're describing what I would want is hole 2 feet wide at the peak. With something like this and nut coal I could fill it to the rafters by myself in a few minutes all the way across the bin and never touch a shovel. If you have a hole 12 inches wide I'm going to be there for a long time working my balls inside a little shed trying to pile cola up on the other side, then I'm going to tell you to change the hole or I'm not coming back next year. ;)

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Post by Richard S. » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 2:00 am

coalnewbie wrote:It's simple


I could of beat him when I was about twenty two, I had better technique. 8-)


 
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Post by anthony7812 » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 2:03 am

I don't get any complaints with a nice ole 5 ton bin. :P I just hate when I see the damn elevator truck not the high lift pull in. Talk about a damn mess.

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Post by Richard S. » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 5:21 am

That's a good setup too Anthony. I used to carry 16D's with me on the truck, for yours I'd pound two set of nails on either side up near the peak somewhere, inside of course. The nails would be so I could hang the chute from a pull strap, open 'er up and watch the bin fill. :)

 
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Post by tcalo » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 8:47 am

Thanks guys for the insight. After much thought (and not wanting to piss off the delivery guy) I've decided to construct a shed roof. Keep it simple, right! This should give the coal guy plenty of room to work. I got the idea for the bin from VigIIPeaBurner who's been answering all my questions, thanks bud. I'm just going to differ from his clam shell lid a bit and construct a lid that opens to one side like njbill did in this post...COAL BIN Pics. I'll be sure to post pictures. I couldn't ask for a group of nicer guys to deal with! :)

 
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Post by tcalo » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 11:16 am

Well, just got back from the lumber yard. OUCH...lumber got expensive!!! Delivery should be here tomorrow.

 
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Post by SMITTY » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 11:20 am

You got that right! Over $1,000 for 11 sheets of 3/4" plywood, 11 1/2" sheets, & 11 2" foam insulation. :shock: :wtf:

 
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Post by I'm On Fire » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 11:32 am

You're telling me lumber got expensive. I've been saying for a few years now that I want to build a desk. Nothing fancy just a computer desk made out of pipe and oak plywood with a nice laquer on it. I was on vacation last week and said that it was getting done. I went to Lowe's and an 8'x4' piece of sanded maple plywood was almost $60. Then I went to start piecing the legs together with pipe and it was nearing $800 just in material. I put everything back and said nope.

I wanted to build a coal bin too...just too expensive.

 
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Post by tcalo » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 12:25 pm

I'm On Fire wrote:I wanted to build a coal bin too...just too expensive.
My thoughts exactly IOF. At $100 difference between bagged and bulk in my area I opted to build a bin. I get a 4 ton delivery so I'm actually saving $400 a season when buying bulk. The lumber cost me about $1100, it's all treated. A bit pricey but it will be built like a tank to ensure it will last, I can't afford to repair it every few years. I just need some corrugated roof and paint for the walls, probably another $150. Looks like it will take me a few years to recoup my money. We'll see if it was worth it!

 
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Post by whistlenut » Mon. Aug. 26, 2013 12:51 pm

Look on craigslist for things that might help you out. Many times folks are selling surplus items from construction jobs, remodels, etc.
I don't think too many will be taking the Coal Bin to Hersey for a 'best in class' showing....however some take this VERY seriously.
I just bumped into a guy who purchased a 20' steel sea container; cut a 6' W 10' long opening in the top AFTER installing it in an excavated sandy area. Only thing that will show is the two eight foot doors. 8'*8'*20'=1280 sq ft or 1280/43= 29.78 tons. Obviously he won't fill it that full, but a full bulk load will fit inside. He has a tractor and a skid steer, so life is good for him. The container was $1500....and he had the room. :idea: :idea: :!:


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