A meaningful price applies to a defined configuration. Two silos with the same stated capacity may involve different works, equipment and operating methods. At Beavers, budgeting starts with what the facility needs to do for the farm.
1. Capacity and number of bins.
Specify the crops, peak stock and lots that need to remain separate. Capacity in tonnes depends on the product’s bulk density and filling assumptions. Compare quotations on the same basis, including the stated usable volume.
2. The equipment and the complete process.
Flat or hopper bottom, unloading systems, aeration and monitoring influence the configuration. Include intake, elevators, conveyors and dispatch. If drying is required, assess the dryer, energy supply and buffer storage separately.
3. The site and civil works.
Foundations are designed using geotechnical data and structural requirements. Intake pits, hardstandings, drainage, access and utilities have their own costs. An equipment price does not automatically describe the complete investment at your site.
4. What to check in every quotation.
| Component | What should be specified |
|---|---|
| Equipment and accessories | Models, reference capacities, equipment options, automation and scope of supply. |
| Design and civil works | Surveys, documentation, foundations, intake, hardstandings and responsibilities by discipline. |
| Delivery, installation and start-up | Included or excluded transport, unloading, lifting equipment, connections, checks and training. |
| Commercial terms and operation | Currency, VAT, validity, lead times, warranty, maintenance and operating cost assumptions. |
5. Price per tonne needs context.
The metric helps only when quotations use the same reference capacity and include the same scope. An individual silo and a facility with intake, drying and handling cannot be compared directly using a single price per tonne.
6. A decision example, not a price estimate.
Hypothetical scenario: two farms target the same total capacity. The first stores a single lot; the second must separate several crops and receive grain while dispatching. Bin numbers, routes and automation may differ. That is why we compare the required functions first.
From farm data to a comparable quotation.
For the first discussion, prepare the location, crops, peak stock, required throughputs, existing equipment and investment schedule. Beavers clarifies the technical brief and can separately assess the budget, cash flow and phasing. The initial technical consultation is free; surveys, design and advanced financial analysis are commissioned separately.
Indicative guidance for preparing a brief. Sizing, verification and construction solutions require actual project data.