HARVESTORE SILO COLLAPSE (and ours)

A 90 foot harvestore collapses and I climb ours and give the low-down.
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Low-oxygen silos (commonly seen as blue Harvestore farm silos) are designed to keep the contents in a low-oxygen atmosphere at all times to keep the fermented contents in a high quality state and to prevent mold and decay, as may occur in the top layers of a stave silo or bunker. These silos are only opened directly to the atmosphere during the initial forage loading, and even the unloader chute is sealed.
It would be expensive to design a such a large structure that is immune to atmospheric pressure changes over time. Instead, the silo structure is open to the atmosphere but outside air is separated from internal air by large impermeable bags sealed to the silo breather openings. In the warmth of the day when the silo is heated by the sun, the gas trapped inside the silo expands and the bags "breathe out" and collapse. At night the silo cools, the air inside contracts and the bags "breathe in" and expand again.
While the iconic blue Harvestore low-oxygen silos were once very common, the speed of its unloader mechanism was not able to match the output rates of modern bunker silos and this type of silo went into decline. Unloader repair expenses also severely hurt the Harvestore reputation, because the unloader feed mechanism is located in the bottom of the silo under tons of silage. In the event of cutter chain breakage, it can cost up to US$10,000 to perform repairs. The silo may need to be partially or completely emptied by alternate means, to unbury the broken unloader retrieve broken components lost in the silage at the bottom of the structure.
In 2005 the Harvestore company recognized these issues and worked to develop new unloaders with double the flow rate of previous models to stay competitive with bunkers, and with far greater unloader chain strength. They are now also using load sensing soft-start variable frequency drive motor controllers to reduce the likelihood of mechanism breakage, and to control the feeder sweep arm movement.
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[@bikerdude9666]

When you got to the top and showed the landscape, I realized where you are. I grew up 2 miles to the southeast and had a 30' and a 60' Harvestore. Now I live 3 1/2 miles to the west of you as the crow flies. Back in the 70's we bought eggs from your farm. I believe that was your grandparents that lived there back then.

[@dearthworm]

Wow, this video took me back. When I was a student in 1980, I had a summer job building Harvestore silos. Factoid: They are built starting with the roof and are repeatedly jacked up as more and more rings are added at ground level. My particular job involved going up top when assembly was finished to remove some winching gear from the top, so I had those same views. I am somewhat scared of heights, but I got used to it and actually came to enjoy going up top and enjoying the view. The ones we built were all about 100 feet.

[@LEDRavecom]

I enjoyed the tour of the silo. Thank you. I had an unused Harvestore on my farm. Only 45 ft tall. In 2006 a tornado ripped through my place and removed nine buildings including my home, two quonsets, barns, a concrete silo, but left the Harvestore. The Harvestore was was even struck in the top ten feet by a flying vehicle!

[@a.b.317]

LEDRavecom UFO? Lol

[@dieselscience]

When you said "Climb a harvester" I was expecting a combine.

[@wraith0127]

dieselscience I thought he was saying harvester, too. But, it's the brand name "Harvistore". A combination of "harvest" and "store" or "storage". Sounds just like harvester though, I know.

[@CUMMINSKILLERTEAM2024]

😂😂

[@robertpayne2717]

My cousin told me in the early 1980's that Harvestor's Silos were called Blue Monuments by most in Iowa because after they were put up on a farm it usally wasn't long before there would be an auction at that farm

[@scottrayhons2537]

I heard them called "Blue Tombstones" in the 80's because of the death of the family farm during the 80's farm crisis.

[@LEDRavecom]

Thanks for this video. I used to have a 45-ft Harvestore (an old one that didn't have the safety framing around the top). Instead of a lid and chute in the center it had a lightning rod and two lids off the center. Embossed in the lids were the words to the effect of: Caution: You must lower a kerosene lantern to silage level to test for oxygen before entering. Can you imagine entering a silo from the top at all? Very dangerous! I liked your steel wool pics, too!

[@benchkey]

My families farm had a Harvestore built in the 1950's. It still stands with our farm name on it. "Schwartzbrian", but now the farm is a golf course and I live 75 miles away.

[@Dextamartijn]

We use to have a haverstore I remember climbing it my dad sold it and bought a slurry silo the silo went to France I live in Alberta Canada it was a 90ft as well

[@papashaq1]

I can see my old house from up there! I used to work on the Keene farm up the road too. Glad I found your channel!

[@ethanringelberg9771]

Brandon Gustafson aggred

[@macfarms]

Had butterflies in my stomach the whole time watching this. Reminds me of climbing our own tower silos.

[@mathman1923]

me too.

[@billwieland8497]

I was hoping to see my old homestead. Darn. Brings back memories... especially watching fireworks atop one of our Harvestores.

[@niko4537]

It looks very beautiful in the fall, like now. and there is epic scenery in almost every valley and mountain.

[@CuriousEarthMan]

Great video, and nice view too! Thanks for posting! I remember having to pull up those bags when we were making "haylage". I never thought about having to replace those ropes until today lol

[@freisdairyllc6898]

It looked like high moisture corn in that silo. How do you not load that uniformly? Best thing I ever did was quit using ours. Cost too much to maintain and are slow unloading. I did always like the view from on top though.

[@onelonleyfarmer]

nice view i have a video of me up top of an 80 footer!!

[@mahart40]

onelonleyfarmer Wow didnt expect to see you watching one of my favorite channels

[@onelonleyfarmer]

why not i have a disease... its called farming when i am not farming i am watching others farm!!!

[@shadowknightpg3d694]

@@onelonleyfarmer yessir

[@64salvador64]

woh, i never seen a place with no mountains around, i live in california, and i like agriculture, im part of the FFA, and im going to indiana next month for the national convention, i wonder how different its gonna be,i never been out of california.

[@niko4537]

l from norway(sunmøre) and l have never seen in real life a place without mountains

[@BornRandy62]

A Hollow brick silo is considered farm equipment and is property tax exempt. However a shiny blue Harvestore is in a different category for soem reason. There are building site owners around here with idle harvestore's that are a tax liability for them. Trivia. I am in North Central Iowa. Or basically 200 mile straight west of the state line at Dubuque. There have been instances that they have collapsed due to drawing a vacuum at the bottom without having ventilation at the top.

[@theedominic14]

WISCONSIN FARMING ROCKS

[@augustreil]

I'm here in 2021, April ! Great video Ryan.

[@ih1206]

betchya it was quite an eye opening expirence coming through the midwest. I'm from north central Ohio and there is a little bit of difference on the 4 hour drive from here to Indy when i went to the convention a few years back.

[@davidb5978]

We had a 20X50 and a 20x60 Harvestore silos. I have been up there on top many many times myself.

[@czamman]

Not sure if it's possible, but it would be really cool if you installed a remote camera on top of the harvester, one that you can swivel around. It might help during bad weather too. Help to see miles away. Thanks for the good footage.

[@StormLaker]

I couldn't be up there without some sort of safety harness, haha....yikes. I'm not afraid of heights, but of falling.......

[@Sean-if7rp]

Hahaha not afraid of heights but afraid of falling, that's a good saying

[@asaaqas]

falling has never killed anyone...its the sudden stop that gets em

[@gen157]

As long as you stop falling before you stop suddenly, you'll be fine.

[@simonsteam]

Hey great vid. Countryside looks really great around you too.

[@KSHunt-fe1st]

Si Smith I

[@jimlisterman2138]

LUV the contour of your land ! I come from hilly area in Southwest Ohio. Personally do NOT feel comfortable on flat land.

[@aarice63]

That is a great looking farm. Keep up the good work.

[@Erated78]

I always learn something from your videos. Lots of great information in each one thank you.

[@1scoretime]

I love ALL your videos.Some of them remind me of growing up and helping out on my Uncle's farms in Northwest Wisconsin. The best part, most of your equipment is John Deere!

[@garyjsimm]

I'm learning farm life and it seems you love it

[@bikerdude9666]

I am painting my farmall H so I was on youtube looking at old tractor videos. One thing led to another and after watching your 4020 video, (I also have a 3020) this one popped up. First thing I recognized from the top view was Richard's farm, then the water tower. I used to work on Farm Eze feed bunks and did work for both Walter and Richard.

[@toddbuhmiller]

Thanks for the video. It is cool to see how farms work in a different part of the country. I know Versatile1150 will be wanting to shoot video when go out to the ranch.

[@blueman5924]

lol. way to high for my liking. brings back a childhood memory of being inside one with my farm buddy as the chopped corn plant was being shot in, and our job was to stomp it down and spread salt around. the sweet smell of the corn…mmmmm. ( the actual loading apparatus scared the snot out me of me)

[@davidkimmel4216]

Thank you

[@MrBudgetboy2]

The dairy farms which rely most on harvestors & their forage wagon systems are dying out & consolidating with the now giant operations with thousands of dairy cattle. So the family farms that used them are dying out and with smaller families are switching to the large round bales which are less labor intensive then chopping & unloading the forage wagons. So JD quit making them. We had one damaged in 07 or 08 and could not find a replacement so we had to fix from scratch a wagon totaled by ins.

[@tparry03311982]

We have 3 of these dam silos they are all a 100 foot and all burned from inside for a least a year.

[@kristiewhite2926]

Cool video! And the captions made it hilarious!

[@carlosgavino6874]

Those are amazing structures its a real bitch to work on the unloading system they have especially if a chain breaks inside while its full and or damaged floor plates thanks for the video awsome view

[@ButlerNamedBruce]

Man you have some really cool videos good job with the videos and the video quality

[@3860Cowgirl]

I cant stand to watch this video without anxiety attack from my fear of hights

[@heartland96a]

So with the improvements that Harvestore has made , are they regaining their popularity ? are owners able to upgrade their old unloaders ? are collapses like that covered by insurance ?

[@letserb]

Amazing what vacuum pressure will do when you are clueless about how to properly load your silo.

[@19674438]

Not me,you wouldn't find me up there too high.But I enjoyed it!!!

[@autocat9371]

When I was a kid my brother and I would race each other up the harvestores - we had 80 footers

[@kittykittymeow260]

I am going to national convention too! :D You are going to love it!!

[@dragonflygrandma]

Very Nice video. Thanks

[@steinderbush]

Nice video from above, you live in a very beautiful area i think!! good luck with farming!!

[@worshipwatcher55]

Cool video. Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed the view from the top.

[@sahibjeet7259]

Gary Sadler

[@ThundercatDarklion]

Some chemical storage tanks are high and some have stairs others have caged ladders like what is on grain storage bins. My dad works as a petrochemical inspector and have to climb the chemical storage tanks to get lab test samples. =^.^=

[@melissapetruzza]

Harvester is the best silo, we upgraded about 8 years ago with 4 90's

[@mikhailsiskoff7561]

You can hear the glass shattering.

[@williamsmith1234]

Watching this in 2018.

[@kajlerdog628]

Watching this in 2020

[@garyjsimm]

I really like these videos

[@Thikester]

Sir Mr. Farmer, Iam not a pain in ass , but please it is a harvestore not a harverter . When I was a young man I helped to build these blue tubes

[@superlu1gi527]

There are also harvestores with dome roofs and they even have a chute like a regular silo. Do those behave the same as a harvestore. There are also green harvestores.

[@heshatteredthemold]

great video, thank you for sharing.

[@64salvador64]

@ih1206 yeah it was! And it was really cool seeing all the members in The convention.... It was quite an adventure

[@markbierschenk8408]

64salvador64 j

[@tractorsold1]

Well, our's was only 60' tall, but it brings back memories.

[@MrCodythegreat]

another awesome video

[@anndennis7163]

The Silo is Harvestor Brand Silo.

[@Smonhaut]

Happened to a neighoring farmer he heard bolt hiting the roof the first ttime he filled it and he called those who put it up and they told him to get the hell oit of tere it collapsed 20 minutes later it was full to the top

[@float_sam]

Weird finding this in 2018 watching his recent stuff; thought it was another family member or something at first.

[@NebukedNezzer]

I get vertigo from this. good place for a ham radio antenna.

[@tomtubman]

That was good thanks !!

[@rmanddd]

great view

[@steyr8100chrisi]

thats not the homefarm in Robinsville(Sorry if the name is not correct) or is it? looks different to me

[@gale212]

thanks for this vid. insightful.

[@robertrockwell7581]

i would put a cb antenna on top of that.

[@dashcamdude6690]

It would be the perfect radio tower

[@Zylstra555]

Reminds me of the farm.

[@MrGuvEuroman]

My friends grandad had a silo like this, he went up to check it, fell in and died from Asphyxiation 😔

[@fillbill6733]

I’m sorry

[@beastgaming3012]

Rip friends grandpa

[@charlesvass4028]

Lol

[@bobthebuilder2922]

What's so funny about that?

[@user-iy6rj7ln3q]

He didn’t fall in a harvester silo

[@cwoods56]

127 steps or ladder rungs

[@Grantmalsam]

What does it look like at the bottom at empty

[@PietschFarms]

Did you put up a new Harvestor or silo?

[@djnagy993]

Was there any thing in it

[@amajor11]

how much does a 80 foot harvestore cost?

[@dannythedeerenut3897]

OOPS!!! SORRY MOM!!!!! I DIDNT MEAN TO BRING IT DOWN!!! I JUST SLAMMED INTO IT WITH THE FRONT LOADER!! XD

[@zachball8820]

The perfect hunting stand

[@imdafarmergamerboy1650]

@Ryan Lee its because most people use trucks

[@mattklug9815]

About 80 steps

[@HillbillyRednecking]

So is there not any safety regulations on climbing a silo? Do you not had to wear any fall restraints because you are a owner operator?

[@toriesroddy5061]

in accordance to OSHA, a safety harness is not required if it has safety railings.

[@Harley04]

When I started on drilling rigs in 1970 there was no safety but nowadays you can't go 6 feet with being tied off and climbing a derrick, that's 100% tied off at all times!!!

[@samkom33]

Harley04,, yes i have worked both on drilling rigs and other installments, as an industrial painter, i also started freeclimbing in the 1970s, and yes it feels a bit safer using double safety gear, but its a lot of extra work moving back and forth hooking and unhooking the safety hooks moving under say a suspencion steel bridge, hehe its easyer on the top bearing wire with extra hand rail wire that you can just slide the safety hooks on and only have to unhook 1 hook at the time and move them past the posts.

[@smartstuff8234]

Why did you destroy them things

[@edwardsutherlin3582]

Harvestore. Is the name brand of the silo.

[@waterskiingfool]

That would be a bad day to lose two

[@VLEW13RDNAME]

What you about to see is an silo collapsing at another silo. Anndddd the farm

[@Rdrake1413]

Man thats gotta suck lose two silos and part of a barn hope insurance pays for that

[@glitchingaming2343]

how many milk cows do you have?

[@wincharter1]

Great video, thanks.

[@Muddogg68]

I dunno why John Deere ever quit making those forage wagons

[@clobenstine]

Looking good! Do you go to UWP? I think you were in my plant physiology class this last semester haha.

[@HowFarmsWork]

Yes, indeed I do and I most likely was lol. Your name is?

[@clobenstine]

Caleb Wolters, I like your videos, where you farm at?

[@HowFarmsWork]

We farm in Potosi. I live practically right down the road that main street is on.

[@clobenstine]

Oh good deal, we farm south of Belmont a few miles

[@Vfh........y]

clobenstine Belmont iowa?.....I was there after the terrible tornado came through....I was 6 or 7. the devastation was awful.

[@CrestwoodRocks]

The older Harvestores prior to 2005 are more at risk. The newer ones are more safer to handle.

[@Detroit_Diesel]

Where is this farm located

[@neilshirley2027]

you have to have them in there

[@11farmboy]

why did you do that?

[@bodryn]

I am familiar with SW Wisconsin. What town is that with the watertower?

[@refriedrindog]

is that potosi I am from cuba city

[@kittykittymeow260]

I'm from Kansas btw

[@MrCodythegreat]

how many head do you milk ?

[@user-1kjl-22aj]

Where you from

[@bryce995]

how did you make the spinning sparks?

[@storminnormanz]

do u ever deer hunt up their?