The GRDC Grain Storage Extension Team is often asked what tools and equipment aid grain storage management, and where they can be sourced. This catalogue is a reference of useful equipment with examples of where it can be sourced.
Each item below lists an indicative price, the suppliers we know of, and a direct link to the product page. Where there is a how-to video or a fact sheet on this site, it is linked underneath the item.
GRDC Grain Storage GrowNotes
A practical manual on how to manage on-farm grain storage. Content includes chapters on planning and purchasing, economics, safety, insect pest identification, insect pest prevention, managing insect pests with fumigation, and managing high-moisture grain. The manual includes QR codes for further information resources, including how-to video guides.
Produced by: GRDC Grain Storage Extension Team
Price: Free
Read the GrowNotes Manual
Table of Contents - Click a heading to jump to that section
DISCLAIMER
Any recommendations, suggestions or opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) or Primary Business. No person should act on the basis of the contents of this publication without first obtaining specific, independent, professional advice. Primary Business and GRDC and contributors to this catalogue may identify products by proprietary or trade names to help readers identify particular types of products. We do not endorse or recommend the products of any manufacturer referred to. Other products may perform as well as or better than those specifically referred to. GRDC and Primary Business will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information in this publication. Prices are indicative only and were current at the time of publication. Readers should confirm current pricing, availability and suitability with suppliers. Users must follow relevant product label directions, safety data sheets (SDS) and workplace health and safety requirements when selecting and using equipment.
DE Application Equipment
Venturi dust applicator for 18 V blower
An 18 V battery blower with a homemade venturi attachment is a simple and effective tool for applying diatomaceous earth (DE) in silos. The venturi can be made to fit any blower, typically 50 mm PVC ‘Y’ fitting and short pipe suits most 18 V blowers. The suction pipe should be approximately half the diameter of the delivery pipe, with both ends cut on a 45 degree angle to aid suction and fitted into a reducer flange with tape if required. Adjusting how far the suction pipe protrudes into the airstream inside the ‘Y’ fitting changes the balance of suction and delivery distance.
Price: Approximately $25 plus a blower
Suppliers: Hardware or plumbing stores
Fittings list from Bunnings to make at home:
- I/N: 4770366 – 50 mm 45° female/female PVC DWV plain junction
- I/N: 4770456 – 50 x 40 mm puddle flange adaptor
- I/N: 4770087 – 50 mm x 1 m PVC DWV pipe
- I/N: 4331312 – 20 mm x 2 m medium duty rigid conduit
- I/N: 0381083 – 20 m 18 mm insulation PVC tape
More information:
Venturi dust applicator for 36 V or petrol blower
Following the same principle and steps to make the smaller venturi, the larger one to fit more powerful 36 V or petrol blowers is ideal for applying diatomaceous earth (DE) in flat bottom silos and grain sheds. The adjustment of the suction pipe into the airstream inside the ‘Y’ fitting is sensitive to how far the DE dust can be propelled to reach to the roof of large silos and sheds.
Price: Approximately $40 plus a blower
Suppliers: Hardware or plumbing stores
Venturi gun (Blow-vac)
A venturi gun, commonly known by the brand name ‘Blow vac’ is traditionally used for applying diatomaceous earth dust into silos. It relies on connection to an air compressor and can be reversed for suction to use during cleanout.
Price: Approximately $30-$150
Suppliers: Total tools, Blackwoods, air tool shops
Where to buy:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Full face respirator with combined dust and inorganic gas filter
A full-face respirator with a combined dust and inorganic gas filter is required for handling phosphine. This includes when applying phosphine into storages, removing and deactivating liberated residue, when working in close proximity to a storage during the venting phase or when taking gas concentration measurements.
Price: Approximately $200-$600
Suppliers: Dräger, MSA Safety, Sundström, 3M
More information:
Elbow length PVC gloves
Elbow length PVC gloves are durable, chemical-resistant protective gloves made from polyvinyl chloride that extend to the elbow, providing a waterproof barrier to protect hands and forearms from liquid, chemical, fumigants, and contamination during handling or mixing tasks.
Price: Approximately $4-$10
Suppliers: Hardware or safety supply stores.
Dust mask and safety goggles
Pro Goggle and P2 Respirator Combo are designed for use in environments where both eye and respiratory protection are required.
Price: Approximately $60
Suppliers: Total Tools, Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety
More information:
Where to buy:
Ear, eye and respiratory protection
Dust masks P1 or P2, safety goggles and earmuffs or earplugs are often required around grain storages. Examples include during cleanout, application of diatomaceous earth structural treatment and when in loading or out loading grain. Fit is important as well as storing in a readily available place where they won’t get damaged.
Price: Approximately $3-$60
Suppliers: Hardware, tool or safety supply stores
More information:
Fall arrest harness
Fall arrest harnesses are used when working at heights such as on silos, sheds, elevated walkways or elevated platform equipment. The harness should be coupled with an energy absorbing lanyard with two scaffold hooks. A short adjustable lanyard or pole strap can also be useful when both hands are required for a task in a fixed position.
Where to buy:
Safety Signage
Safety signage can warn, inform and restrict access to hazards or controlled areas. This can include grain storages under fumigation, or where particular PPE and/or protocols are required to enter or operate storages or equipment.
Price: Approximately $10-$100
Suppliers: Safety Signs or safety supply stores
Where to buy:
Bunting, danger tape and cones
Safety signage and bunting are visual safety controls used to warn or restrict access to storages under fumigation or provide warning of hazards.
Price: Approximately $5-$50
Suppliers: Hardware or safety supply stores
Monitoring Equipment
Stainless steel temperature probe and digital read out
A temperature probe is used to monitor grain temperature deep below the surface or through small port holes in tarps, bags or silo walls. These probes need to be left in for up to 20-30 minutes before the stainless steel equalises with the grain temperature.
Price: Approximately $250-$380
Suppliers: Graintec Scientific, Instrument Choice, Kotzur
More information:
Where to buy:
Insect probe trap
A probe trap is inserted into grain in storage to detect insect infestations. During monitoring, the trap is removed, the bottom cone unscrewed and the contents inspected for insects that have been caught while crawling through the grain. Secure with a cord inside silos in case removal is forgotten before out-loading grain.
Price: Approximately $30-40
Suppliers: Graintec Scientific, Bugs For Bugs
More information:
Where to buy:
Thermometer mounted to 1 m PVC pipe
A low-cost form of monitoring grain temperature is a digital thermometer mounted to a 1 m PVC pipe. They are cheap enough that one can be placed in each storage beside the probe trap. Secure with a cord inside silos in case removal is forgotten before out-loading grain. Search online stores for ‘thermometer with probe’.
Price: Approximately $10-$20
Suppliers: Electronics stores, online shopping sites
More information:
Fixed temperature and moisture cable sensor systems
Cables installed from top to bottom of silos have integrated sensors to provide temperature and relative humidity (converted to grain moisture content) through the grain depth. One or more cables can be installed per silo and connected to a cloud dashboard or mobile application via local area network or cellular depending on number of silos and location. Before purchasing, ensure the manufacturer guarantees the sensors will survive a phosphine fumigation in Australia.
Price: Variable
Suppliers: Harveston OPI, Harberger Bin Manager
More information:
Where to buy:
Insect sieve (2 mm mesh) and drop tray
An insect sieve and tray are used to separate grain pests from a sample for identification. Two of the common grain pests, lesser grain borer and flat grain beetle tend to hide in grain so can be difficult to detect unless shaken through a sieve. Similar products can be found on online shopping sites, ensure they have 2 mm mesh and couple with a collection tray or buy a cake pan to match the sieve size.
Price: Approximately $70-$220
Suppliers: Graintec Scientific, Kotzur, online shopping sites
More information:
Where to buy:
Remote temperature monitoring probe
Remote temperature and humidity probes are available from several suppliers. These probes rely on satellite, cellular or a local area network to transmit readings to a cloud-based dashboard, accessed via a mobile application or website. They can be used in bags, bunkers or via ports through silo walls. Some models rely on battery while others are solar powered, which may dictate positioning. Expect to pay $1000 plus, depending on quantity and connectivity, and clarify if a subscription is required to access remotely logged data.
Price: Approximately $1000 +
Suppliers: Wiagro, UPL TeleSense, Control Unlimited GrainWatch, FarmScan Quanturi
More information:
Where to buy:
Pressure Testing and Sealing Equipment
Fittings for pressure testing silos with 18 V blower
Pressurising silos to measure the half-life can be done with an 18 V blower. A few pipe fittings that connect to the recirculation plumbing on the silo, plus a tap, make the process a lot easier. The fittings can be made in various ways and to suit what’s already on the silos. Examples pictured include a 50 mm tap or whatever size fits the blower outlet, this is to seal the silo once the target pressure is reached. The tap can be threaded onto a cam-lock, a PVC access cap or proprietary recirculation cap which has been fitted with a tank outlet or PVC flange and male threaded iron adaptor. Common fittings options from Bunnings: • I/N: 4814217 – 2” or 50 mm FI x FI ball valve • I/N: 4770362 – 100 mm PVC threaded access cap (Check size on silos) • I/N: 4750173 – 50 mm PVC DWV floor flange • I/N: 4750158 – 50 mm PVC DWV male threaded • I/N: 4814055 – 2” Tank Outlet • I/N: 0154038 – 2” Poly Camlock • Thread tape and PVC Glue
Price: Approximately $90-155
Suppliers: Hardware or plumbing stores
More information:
Pressurised handheld sprayer or spray bottle
Filled with soapy water, a pressurised sprayer or spray bottle can be used to check for leaks while pressure testing gas-tight sealable silos. When silos fail to meet the half-life pressure test, repressurise and squirt soapy water around the seals on the silo openings, plumbing and joins. Air leaking from the silo will cause the soapy water to bubble, identifying the points that require further work to seal.
Price: Approximately $5-$30
Suppliers: Hardware, tool or automotive stores
More information:
Where to buy:
Pressure relief valve (oil bath) 50 mm (Grain Guard)
The pressure relief valve(s) on gas-tight sealable storages serve two purposes. They relieve air pressure as it increases or decreases more than 500 Pa during rising and falling ambient temperature. The second purpose is to measure a half-life pressure est to check the storages sealability for fumigation. On occasion the relief valves need replacing due to sun damage or breakage, or topped up to the level mark with light oil such as hydraulic oil.
Price: Approximately $220
Suppliers: Kotzur
More Information:
Where to buy:
Sealing products
Grain storages like any farm equipment require maintenance, including the seals to remain gas-tight during fumigation. Replacement seals for silo openings are often found in hardware or automotive stores. Look for closed cell, foam rubber with strong memory, they can be self-adhesive or glued in place. For larger gaps or openings with a lot of variation in the seal gap, ‘D’ profile seals are a good option. Re-sealing flat bottom silo walls to the concrete base can be done with flexible compounds such as Glo-mastic, after applying a primer such as Sealer ‘A’. Small holes in bunker tarps can be repaired with specialised tape such as EnduraBond.
Price: Varies
Suppliers: Grain Protect, Clark Rubber, hardware stores, automotive stores, silo manufacturers, tarp suppliers
More information:
Where to buy:
Differential pressure gauge
A differential pressure gauge is used for measuring the half-life pressure test for gas-tight sealable storages when the oil relief valve is not easily visible or greater precision is required. Connected to the storage via a tubeless tyre valve with centre removed, 250 Pa is equivalent to 25 mm water gauge meaning 125 Pa is the half-life point to stop the timer. Expect to pay $200-250 for a genuine 0-250 Pa Dwyer Magnehelic or half that price for a copy brand such as Magrfhelic from online shopping stores.
Price: Approximately $100-250
Suppliers: Instrument Choice, Dwyer Instruments, DG Instruments, online shopping stores
More information:
Where to buy:
Phosphine Monitoring Equipment
Hi-range phosphine fumigation meters
Hi-range phosphine meters are used measuring gas concentration during fumigation, particularly in bunkers and bags where a pressure test to check the seal prior to fumigation is not possible. While these meters measure 0-2000 parts per million (ppm), they are not precise at low range so can not be relied on for venting clearance or safety. The Canary Co Silo-Chek, Control Equipment FumiTest and Uniphos FumiSense Pro-Lo are single gas meters with an inbuilt pump to draw a sample from a storage via a gas line. The Dräger X-am 5000 is a multi-gas meter that can be equipped at the time of purchase with either a high range or low range sensor (not both) and requires coupling to an external pump to draw a sample from a storage.
Price: Approximately $3000-5000
Suppliers: Grain Protect, Canary Co, Control Equipment, Uniphos,Graintec Scientific
More information:
Where to buy:
Low range phosphine meters
Low range phosphine meters measure phosphine concentrations accurately in a range between 0-20 ppm for venting clearance or personal safety. Single gas monitors such as the Dräger Pac 8000 and Riken SC-04 can be clipped onto an operator’s shirt for personal safety, or purchased with a cradle (calibration clip), hand pump and spear to measure low level, intergranular gas concentration. Multi gas monitors such as the Dräger X-am 5000 and the Riken GX-3R can be clipped onto an operator’s shirt for personal safety or coupled with and external pump to draw a sample from a gas line to measure low level, intergranular gas concentration. Note that the X-am 5000 can be equipped at the time of purchase with either a low range sensor or a high range sensor, not both. The Canary Co Silo-Safe and the Uniphos FumiSense Pro-Lo both have inbuilt pumps to draw a sample from a gas line and while the FumiSense is claimed to be wearable the Silo-Safe is not.
Price: Approximately $800-5000
Suppliers: Grain Protect, Canary Co, Control Equipment, Uniphos, Graintec Scientific
More information:
Where to buy:
Grain Bag Fumigation
Grain bag PVC fumigation and vent pipes
Fumigating grain bags with phosphine requires a method to introduce the gas at 7 m intervals, then an option to remove the residue and leave the bag open to vent. Although a lengthy process compared to venting with a suction fan, these PVC pipes have proven successful at venting phosphine or sulfuryl fluoride after fumigation. The pipes can be made from 50 mm PVC pipe, cut to 1 m lengths with slots cut in to enable gas/air transfer without grain getting through. A vent cone is glued to one end to form the point and a floor flange glued about 100 mm from the other end to enable sealing to the bag. The internal tray for phosphine tablet insertion and retrieval is made by gluing a push cap on both ends of a 950 mm length of 40 mm PVC pipe before cutting in half longways to make two trays that slide inside the 50 mm pipe. A 50 mm push cap is used to seal the pipe during fumigation and a 45 degree elbow to keep rain out during venting. Make enough pipes to be inserted at 7 m intervals along the bag, for as many bags that will be under fumigation or venting at the same time.
Fittings list from Bunnings to make at home:
- I/N: 4770087 – 50 mm x 1 m PVC DWV pipe
- I/N: 4750173 – 50 mm PVC DWV floor flange
- I/N: 4750195 – 50 mm PVC vent cowl
- I/N: 4750164 – 50 mm PVC DWV push on cap
- I/N: 4755786 – 50 mm 45° female and female PVC DWV plain bend
- I/N: 4770086 – 40 mm x 1 m PVC DWV pipe
- I/N: 4750163 – 40 mm PVC DWV push-on cap
Price: Approximately $45-$80
Suppliers: Hardware or plumbing supply stores
More information:
More information
GRDC Grain Storage Extension Team
www.storedgrain.com.au
Email info@storedgrain.com.au
Phone 1800 WEEVIL (1800 933 845)
