Silo Demolition Man Finds Strong Demand For Services

Silo Demolition Man Finds Strong Demand For Services 32-3-6 Bringing down unwanted silos might look daunting to most people, but not to Jeff Collins of the Clinton area, in southern Wisconsin. Starting 14 to 15 years ago with only one part time helper, his career began as "a one-time job" for a neighbor, and grew into a steady sideline. The business has grown to between 50 and 120 take downs (demolitions) per year, or two to three per week for the full-time beef and hog farmer. Silo number one fell from the use of a sledge hammer alone, but Collins now uses a skid loader with a hydraulic breaker attachment to weaken either stave (cement block) or poured concrete silos. The largest he has demolished is a 24 by 110-ft. poured concrete silo. "Ninety-five percent of the time, you take out the bottom - sort of notch it like a tree, then work on the opposite side - and it will come down," says Collins. Although it's a high risk operation, cables can be used to influence it in the right direction. The main thing that Collins considers in the process is safety, as he knows of a case where someone inexperienced attempted a demolition and it was fatal. There is no room for mistakes. Collins has taken as little as 10 minutes or as long as six hours to demolish a silo, depending on how much it's been reinforced. Traveling takes more time than the demolition, most of the time, he says. Collins doesn't own a loader or trucks for clean up, but sometimes he can recommend an outfit. Clean-up equipment is cheaper hired closer to the job, as Collins has traveled as far as 400 miles to do jobs. He says the biggest reasons for demolition are that either the silo has deteriorated from lack of up-keep, or it has become inadequate, requiring removal. Most of the time, he can give estimates over the phone, although things such as size, type, and room to work, need to be considered. Costs can be as little as $400, but can run into the thousands if the job proves complex. Collins enjoys the work and meeting a variety of people, and intends to continue the business for at least a few more years. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jeff Collins, 11404 Hwy 140, Mosinee, Wis. 54455 (ph 262 296-1641; cell 608 295-9014; collinsfarm@sharon telephone .com).

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