Big grain bin going in at Taunton elevator

It was an incredible sight for those witnessing a fleet of cement mixers lined up as the footings were being poured on Friday by a long-armed concrete pumper truck for the new 105-foot diameter GSI grain bin at the Farmers Cooperative Elevator in Taunton.

CEEC Inc. of Wabasso was hired as the contractor for the $1.8 million project that began two weeks ago and should be completed sometime in August. The new grain bin will be the biggest of the six bins on the lot with a capacity of 750,000 bushels that will likely be used mainly for corn.

The eave height of this new bin will be 90 feet 9 3/4 inches with a peak height of 118 feet-11 2/3 inches.

The concrete pumper truck transfers liquid concrete after cement mixers load the hopper. This interesting activity enticed numerous onlookers stationed across Highway 68.

“They started two weeks ago packing and preparing the groundwork for the concrete to be poured on top,” said FCE General Manager Scott Dubbelde.

“It's really impressive to see all the re-bar they have to lay out first. The entire project should be completed sometime in August.”

The additional grain bin which will be built west of the other five already in place at the elevator in Taunton is being built to keep up with a growing business.

“This additional bin is based on three factors,” said Dubbelde.

“It will add speed, space and market access to those farmers who are unable to get to the right markets.”

“It’s critical to get the farmer in, unload, and back out to the field. Part of the progression is to take care of the patron-owned base.”

“The hope is that we don’t need to pile as much so the farmers can get in and out quicker. This makes us more efficient.”

The Taunton-based FCE elevator last had a bin built five years ago.

That 75-foot diameter bin held 400,000 bushels and now sits just east of the one currently being built.

The other four bins going west to east hold between 100,000 to 160,000 bushels.