Covering silage pit

[6891tmc]

Hi all. I had an idea of using lorry curtain sider tarpaulin to cover my silage pit. Just wondering has anyone else see or done or thought of this before and if so does it work.
My intention was to drape the tarpaulin down the side walls as many of us do with normal plastic and when silage goes in , put a plastic sheet down then over lap the tarpaulin over the plastic. Then maybe attach a long scaffold tube to the straps of the tarpaulin on each side of the pit and pull them together with a few ratchet straps down along the pit to help it stay together and maybe sink. I know 2nd hand tarpaulins are expensive but I'm hoping they last way longer than normal plastic and can also be patched.
Does any one agree or am I talking rubbish.
Many thanks

 

[milkloss]

I presume the purpose would be to weigh the plastic down rather then actually seal the pit with it?
I'm not so sure it would be much good to be hones. We have used curtainside sheets to protect the side/top sheet from sharp edges of sleepers or if one has collapsed that we haven't got to in time. they're tough as old boots when cold and some have some nasty wires in..... I guess you're not talking woven tarpaulins anyway.

 

[Great In Grass]

Do it properly with no worries https://arkagriculture.com/secure-c... flexible non,matter losses within your clamp.

 

[e3120]

Hi all. I had an idea of using lorry curtain sider tarpaulin to cover my silage pit. Just wondering has anyone else see or done or thought of this before and if so does it work.
My intention was to drape the tarpaulin down the side walls as many of us do with normal plastic and when silage goes in , put a plastic sheet down then over lap the tarpaulin over the plastic. Then maybe attach a long scaffold tube to the straps of the tarpaulin on each side of the pit and pull them together with a few ratchet straps down along the pit to help it stay together and maybe sink. I know 2nd hand tarpaulins are expensive but I'm hoping they last way longer than normal plastic and can also be patched.
Does any one agree or am I talking rubbish.
Many thanks

Going to be an absolute barsteward to manage in the winter as you won't be able to fold it back over the sides as you go, even if wasn't as tough as leather.

 

[6891tmc]

Going to be an absolute barsteward to manage in the winter as you won't be able to fold it back over the sides as you go, even if wasn't as tough as leather.

Yes that thought had crossed my mind. With my pit the walls go right up with a roof on it. I was thinking just tie it up as I go along, possibly using shorter lengths of tarpaulins so there is joints along the wall. That means tiying up the 1st length without disturbing the rest.

 

[6891tmc]

I presume the purpose would be to weigh the plastic down rather then actually seal the pit with it?
I'm not so sure it would be much good to be hones. We have used curtainside sheets to protect the side/top sheet from sharp edges of sleepers or if one has collapsed that we haven't got to in time. they're tough as old boots when cold and some have some nasty wires in..... I guess you're not talking woven tarpaulins anyway.

The intention was to seal the sides with the PVC coated polyester fabric one. I assume it would be very heavy to work with. Also intended to use normal black plastic cover over the top of all the pit like I normally would. Just fold the tarpaulin over the top of it for an overlap.
Thanks for your reply

 

[BuskhillFarm]

I would just go with the green covers with the little stone/sand bags. Doubt it would be more expensive and last along time if looked after. Be a lot easier and nicer to use

 

[ridger]

Lorry sidewalls then tie them together when taking them off, can lift 25 at a time with forks

 

[ridger]

 

[Hilly]

The intention was to seal the sides with the PVC coated polyester fabric one. I assume it would be very heavy to work with. Also intended to use normal black plastic cover over the top of all the pit like I normally would. Just fold the tarpaulin over the top of it for an overlap.
Thanks for your reply

Are they ready available?

 

[michael N123]

Did you forget to put the fert on in spring

 

[PuG]

off topic but how are you cutting the tire side walls for weigths? they look good.

 

[ridger]

Did you forget to put the fert on in spring

better lookinh when second cut in as well lol

 

[ridger]

off topic but how are you cutting the tire side walls for weigths? they look good.

Buy them for a pound each off ppp recycling. 200 does a 60 by 30 silo

 

[ridger]

Buy them for a pound each off ppp recycling. 200 does a 60 by 30 silo

Then set them like this when you take them off

 

[6891tmc]

Are they ready available?

I don't know but I'm sure there is a lorry man out there somewhere who knows where to find good cheap 2nd hand ones.

 

[6891tmc]

better lookinh when second cut in as well lol

better lookinh when second cut in as well lol

How are you sealing down the sides of the walls? Do you get much waste at all?

 

[ridger]

How are you sealing down the sides of the walls? Do you get much waste at all?

No,I hang a plastic sheet out over the wall, then fold it over the top and put the other cover on top of that.

 

[ridger]

I don't know but I'm sure there is a lorry man out there somewhere who knows where to find good cheap 2nd hand ones.

Ppp recycling always has stacks of the sidewalls ready for collecting

 

[6891tmc]

No,I hang a plastic sheet out over the wall, then fold it over the top and put the other cover on top of that.

Does that plastic hanging over your walls ever get damaged or how many uses do you get from it. The idea of the tarpaulin is so that it can be used multiple times.