Commercial Hopper Systems

Roof Systems

Commercial hopper bins use two external stiffeners per sidewall sheet. This approach allows transfer of tank vertical load down the stiffeners, then down the support columns to the foundation.

All stiffeners are G-115(Z350) galvanized to provide 27% longer life. Most stiffeners are available from 8 gauge to 18 gauge. Stiffeners are ASTM A653 Grade 55 with 55K yield and 70K tensile strength.
Every roof design has been tested for fit at the factory. All roof designs were initially assembled by our engineers before the first one shipped.
Roof systems on MFS commercial hopper bins are non-raftered in standard models. Raftered roofs are available on 30′ to 36′ (9.1 m to 11.0 m) diameters in the event that additional roof loading is required.
30° roof slope sheds debris and snow without adding to overall bin height.
G-115(Z350) galvanization on all outer roof sheets for up to 27% longer life on components exposed to the elements.
Powered roof exhausters are easily added with trouble-free installation on site.
Gooseneck vents with corresponding pre-formed vent opening allow for easier installation.
Three roof panels per sidewall sheet also simplify installation.

Stiffeners

Commercial hopper bins use two external stiffeners per sidewall sheet. This approach allows transfer of tank vertical load down the stiffeners, then down the support columns to the foundation.

All stiffeners are G-115(Z350) galvanized to provide 27% longer life. Most stiffeners are available from 8 gauge to 18 gauge. Stiffeners are ASTM A653 Grade 55 with 55K yield and 70K tensile strength.
“Hat shaped” stiffener design is proven through engineering studies to be the preferred shape for commercial bin stiffeners. This design carries the full vertical load to the foundation.
Base stiffener plates are firmly affixed through welding to ensure a positive attachment of bin to concrete foundation.
12 gauge splice ensures that stiffeners are properly butted to effectively transfer sidewall load to the foundation.
Heavy duty wind rings are easily attached to the stiffeners on bins requiring this extra measure. Pre-punched wind ring holes and special attachments simplify installation.

Design Details

We design and build our commercial hopper bins to stand up to the constant use typical in a commercial grain storage operation. That goes double for the working parts of the hopper bottom where trucks go and grain flows on a daily basis.

Custom outlet heights available to accommodate installation of auxiliary equipment below the hopper.
Structure finish options include powder coated or galvanized to meet your specific application.
Heavy duty compression ring transfers load from the bin and hopper into the support structure. The base angle on the bottom of the tank is sealed to the compression ring for a weather-proof connection between tank and hopper.
Support columns are heavy I-beams engineered to carry the suspended weight of both tank and stored commodity.

The Contractor’s Choice

Precise 7/16″ sidewall punching easily accommodates 3/8″ bolts to save time during erection.
Sheet identification includes gauge, supplier, coil and date for quick traceability if needed.
Bolt-on base angle provides strong finished edge to bin bottom for seal of bin to hopper structure when sealer is added.
Top-quality fasteners feature JS1000 plating system, SAE Grade 8.2 for maximum shear capacity as well as industry standard washers to seal the bolt to the sidewall.

Commercial Hopper System Features:

Galvanized panels ranging from 12 gauge to 8 gauge Grade 50 are designed to withstand hoop and top tension loads throughout the range of sizes available. Cross braces keep tank evenly braced during loading.
Shedder plate, supplied with all models, is a perforated component attached to the sidewall at an angle that matches the hopper cone angle. The shedder plate eliminates commodity hang-up were the sidewall connects to the cone.
Cone bottom is ideally designed for full clean-out and to ensure that majority of the product is emptied with minimal carryover.
Manual rack and pinion gate controls flow from the tank and comes standard with all commercial hopper tanks.
Heavy base plates welded to the bottom end of the support columns provide a positive attachment to the concrete foundation with proper anchoring.