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| In 2024 I built a new site that cost very much in the range of your number. Didnt skimp - new bins, legs, overhead, big dryer, 2 pits, reclaim all grain for loading out. I can dump a truck in under 2 minutes. Open both traps all of the way at same time.
I am a numbers guy overanalyzing many of my expenses. I had this site in the back of my mind for years but couldnt get myself to pull the trigger because it will not pay for itself. I finally got to the point that for my sanity I had to streamline things. I have another business and needed to wrap harvest up earlier and streamline things to make things work better for that business. I have been SO GLAD that I bit the bullet. Offseason time savings and headache reducton vs having several smaller bins spread out/pulling conveyors around has been tremendous! In season we were able to add a 2nd combine in corn without adding any trucks because of crazy fast dumping. No moving augers. We shave about 100 hours per year off of corn harvest and all guys/trucks and both carts are busy basically all of the time as opposed to often waiting when we were running one combine. Instead of running until 9:30 we quit about 7:30 most nights. I calculated something like $40,000/year fuel/labor/cart tractor tack hour from everyone staying busy and shaving the 100 hours off of corn harvest. I hire combines with operators so they were able to provide a 2nd combine with no change to cost per acre.
One kicker for me was I had kicked the tax can down the road for several years to the point I needed a major expense to avoid a very major tax bill. Unlike a piece of equipment, I never plan to sell or trade this bin site therefore (If I actually dont sell it), it only cost me the after tax amount. This is very different than a piece of equipment that is sold or traded later.
You say you can just hire more people which may be true but I really like having to not worry about finding more people, especially during harvest. Plus old guys are more willing to help with this setup.
Again, I am very much a numbers guy who totally realizes this will not pay for itself (although if figuring the tax savings since not selling it, maybe it will??) The time savings and stress reduction has been so worth it!
Edited by farm1 1/30/2026 18:43
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New bin setup ROI
