Grain storage is one of the most important stages. Contemporary farmers to build stationary elevators and storage facilities need large investments and intermediaries involving - costly and associated not only with financial risk option. But success can be achieved even with minimal investment, using mobile technology.
Company «Farm Mac Ukraine» offers complex equipment for grain storage and plastic bags (sleeves) of 60 m long and of 200 t capacity produced by IPESA.
Mainero Bagger
Mainero 2230 dry grain bagger is used for loading bags with a capacity to pack up to 200 tons per hour. A tunnel of this model with a flat shape provides natural material flow into the bag, its even download and enables use of the bags of 2.74 m wide and 60 or 75 m long.
Type of truck does not matter
There is proposed auger boot with receiving platform of 2.6 m wide in the case when using trailers or trucks of dump type.
Usability and mobility
Use and transportation of the equipment is time lossless, without additional work on the machine preparation thanking to the transport and working positions identity. No additional elements for transferring machines from one position to another. Off-road transportation is not going to damage the equipment. Two additional wheels, towing bar and lights provide road transportation “by side”.
Mainero Extractor
Mainero 2330 extraction system is mechanical and consists of three transporters: the main central and two lateral ones. This allows the use of low-tractors from 70 hp., decreasing depreciation expenses, fuel consumption and labor. In case of use of different diameter bags the width of extraction is controlled on go by closing or revealing the side conveyors with manual handle. Due to the suspension system of extraction provides an effective selection of the grain. Smooth movement is achieved even despite not flat ground. The job is done quickly, easily from edge to edge of the bag.
The extractor provides unloading speed of 100-120 tons/hr. It comes 3-5 trucks per hour!
What are the advantages of the silobag grain storage for Ukrainian villagers?
At harvest farmers often sell their grain out of the harvester for a price of around 600 UAH/t. Add to that long lines at the elevators and ports. Several months later same grain is sold at the price of 1000-1200 UAH/t without any queue. Simple calculation gives the following results of 200 t silobag use: 200x600 UAH/t = 120000 UAH - is earnings during harvest; 200x1000 UAH/t = 200000 UAH - the amount of revenue from one silobag in 3 months.
Of course, special machinery is needed for packing the grain and then removing it from the repository. Farm Mac Ukraine not only sells but also provides such equipment on lease with further opportunity for redemption. Moreover, Farm Mac Ukraine provides services of grain packing. Large scope of work brings more attractive prices! In any case mutually beneficial agreement is reached, even under no cash funds condition.
The benefits of silobag grain storage are so numerous and compelling that it can be used by small grain producers, who handle several hundred hectares of land, and huge grain traders. The point is that using of grain carts, grain packers and extractors opens the possibility to handle volumes of the local grain production.

Mykola Manzaruk
Ruler of «Robusta Agro Invest»
«The technology is very convenient. The working conditions are much better comparing to the stationary silos, dust level is much lower. The cost of the elevator maintenance work and time spent on greasing of chains and augers, their cleaning of dust have decreased significantly. We preferred Mainero machinery because equipment from other manufacturers do not fit our farm due to large production volumes. There is important that the technology is adapted to all types of trucks and works mobile and qualitatively. It is even suitable for other activities in the sector.
Now we keep the grain of different quality in different bags. If necessary full information about the packed products we mark directly on the plastic storage with a pencil.»

The silobag system can be used for storing any commodity that can be handled with an auger such as grain, oilseeds, fertilizers, seeds, dry fruits, dried sewage sludge, compost etc. It is a very flexible solution, irrespective if one is to handle 25 or 10.000 tons of grain or more.

Novyny Agrotekhniky, #4 2009