FS Construction Services Jarret Herzog preventative maintenance

Jarret Herzog Profile and Preventative Maintenance Series #1 of 3

We work hard to ensure that the name FS Construction Services means something to those who hear it. Our ultimate goal is to make our name synonymous with hard work, quality, and great customer service. However, what truly makes FS Construction Services special are the individual employees who make up our team. Our collective expertise, experience, and skill is made strong by the wonderful employees who do this work day in and day out.

 

Preventative Maintenance Specialist

 

So we thought we would take some time to highlight our employees, explore what makes them such a great addition to our team, and give you an idea of how they might be able to help you. First up is our longtime Service Manager Jarret Herzog. Jarret is going to help us cover the topic of preventative maintenance this month.

During the almost 20 years Jarret has been Service Manager at FS Construction Services he has gained a reputation for being a quiet, modest, and knowledgeable man. Those who have the pleasure of working with him quickly learn that he is trustworthy and straightforward. Jarret’s experience really began when he was a child, growing up on a farm and learning how to work on agricultural equipment firsthand. He spent three years in the Navy on the USS O’Bannon then returned home and got an Ag degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Since he stepped into his Service Manager role with us Jarret has been the go-to for service needs for our grain systems customers as well as our employees who serve them. “When I have maintenance issues or questions, I know I can trust Jarrett. He is always helpful, friendly and knows my operation.” stated long-time customer Wes Kuergeleis.

Some of Jarret’s top preventative maintenance tips are:

  1. Rodent control. Check wire insulation for rodent damage. Mice can eat wires right up to the motor housing. To control mice, consider mouse bait or even getting cats on the farm.
  2. If drying system heaters won’t light or burn, check to make sure no safety breakers have been tripped.
  3. Check sweeps for wear and also check center verticals and chain couplers.
  4. Inspect fans, heaters, safety circuits, bearings, and transfer augers.
  5. Schedule a professional preventative maintenance service call well in advance of harvest.

Many customers have their own “checklist” that they run down prior to harvest however, your best bet to ensure your grain storage and handling equipment is in peek working order is to have a professional come and perform a thorough inspection. Pre-harvest is always the best time to schedule these.

Next month, we will continue our preventative maintenance series and cover information about the brands that we work with.

If you have any questions you’d like to ask Jarret or any of our other experts, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services Fourth of July

Wishing You a Great Fourth of July

After what may have been a couple strange years of Fourth of July celebrations, we here at FS Construction Services are happy to be celebrating in a year that feels more normal. So we wanted to take a moment to wish our family, friends, and clients a Happy Fourth of July. May it be full of laughter, hot dogs, fireworks, and a little bit of rest from the busyness of life.
 

Wishing You and Yours a Happy Fourth of July

 
We know that this time of year can bring a hundred worries, too much rain, not enough, too hot, too cool, and on and on. And yet, whatever worries we have today, we remain grateful for the worries and battles of those who came before us and made it possible for us to have backyards and parks and homes to celebrate in. We always appreciate the reminder to slow down for a moment and remember that none of what we have or experience is in a vacuum. Whether your own histories seem complex or simple, boring or exciting, we are grateful for the chance to think about ours here at FS Construction Services. The decades of relationships we’ve had, the services we’ve had the opportunity to provide, and the daily joy of getting to work in and around our community are all a part of a wonderful story we’re happy to be a part of.

We wish you the best this Fourth of July season and hope you have some time to relax and enjoy it all. Because of course, it won’t be long before we’re wondering where summer went and thinking about harvest all over again.

As always, if you are in need of a new building, grain storage equipment, seed systems, a garage door, a new roof, or some other kind of service, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services grain storage systems solutions

Project Profile: 20,700 Bushels of Grain Storage

Here at FS Construction Services we know that every job is a little bit different, even if on the surface the product or the outcome are similar to jobs that have come before. It’s important to us to approach each new grain storage project with fresh eyes and a careful consideration for what will work best in this particular instance and not just what generally works best in instances like it.
 

Choose the Right Grain Storage Solution for You

 
When it comes to building grain storage, while the final structure may look exactly like other grain structures, each new build is its own unique experience. The slope of the ground, access to roads and power, surrounding structures and more, are all things that have to be taken into consideration for every project. If you have further questions on what things are worth considering when planning for grain storage, be sure to read this grain storage site planning article.

It was with all these things in mind that Nathan Koester and his team approached this latest grain storage project. They built a 36’ in diameter, 6-ring tall Sukup grain storage bin with a capacity of 20,700 bushels. Additionally, they installed a 10hp centrifugal fan to create ideal airflow as well as a 10” vertical unload. Finally, they added stairs around the outside of the bin for easy and safe roof access.

At a glance, this project looks like many others, and yet it was all completed to meet the specific needs of our client in conjunction with the reality of the site’s resources. If you are in need of upgrading your grain capacity, or if you are looking to add, update, or expand on your grain drying or grain handling capabilities, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services jobs build your career

Build Your Career with FS Construction Services

Looking to build your career? Let FS Construction Services help! We are looking for experienced and qualified applicants seeking a position with a strong company, professional growth, and excellent advancement opportunities.

 

FSCS Hiring Now – Build Your Career!

 

General Construction Labor, Electrical, Carpentry, Finish Work Position Description:

  • Interprets drawings and construction plans to ensure projects are successfully completed to project specifications
  • Includes aerial work involving cranes, man lifts, man baskets, utilizing appropriate fall protection and other necessary personal protective equipment
  • Rigging of materials to be lifted with cranes, forklifts, etc.
  • Site preparation, pouring and finishing of concrete footings, walls, pads, etc.
  • Carpenter skills including ability to work with various materials, custom fabricate wood, metal & roofing as well as associated trims, angles, transitions, etc.
  • Ability to use all necessary equipment to complete projects, including but not limited to:
    • Forklifts
    • Skid loader and various attachments
    • Trencher
    • Scissor Lift
    • Boom Lift
    • Various power and other tools
    • Rigging
  • Must have H.S. diploma, related experience, valid driver’s license, and good driving record. May be required to successfully pass drug screening and background check.

 

Salary commensurate with experience. In addition, position offers competitive benefits including: health insurance, 401K, pension, paid vacation and more. Looking to hire for our Red Bud location and the Randolph, Perry, Jackson, and surrounding counties’ teams. EOE.

Put your experience to work in the expanding Ag industry TODAY! Email your resume to AEaster@GatewayFS.com, call 866-551-3454 or visit our website at FSConstructionServices.com/employment. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

FSCS Construction Services electric motors

Premier Electric Motors

After well over 40 years of service, we at FS Construction Services know very well that life is unpredictable and any given day can never be taken for granted. Equipment such as electric motors break down, weather doesn’t cooperate, and the list goes on and on. While we wish we could say that we have a fix for that, obviously, we don’t and nobody does. However, with the right equipment for the right job, or a solid backup plan for when things don’t quite go your way, we feel confident that we can save you a lot of headaches down the road.

Premier Selection of Electric Power Motors

It will be no surprise to anyone that we work with a lot of clients whose day-to-day work involves some heavy-duty power needs. And with our electric motors services, we are happy to find the best, most efficient means of that power. Our partners at Baldor Motors, Marathon Electric Motors, and Leeson Motors have deep product catalogs, energy-efficient motors, generators, extra parts and more. Whether you’re looking to power an auger drive, an aeration fan, a crop drier, or you need a generator to keep you going when things don’t go as planned, we’ve got you covered.

If you are in the market for a motor, we keep many of these products in stock for quick delivery. If you can’t find what you are looking for on our web page, please reach out to us and we will see what we can make happen for you.

Be ready for the job ahead and be prepared to keep going even when an unseen circumstance comes. If you have any questions or needs, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services grain bin addition for harvest

Project Profile: Grain Bin

At FS Construction Services, we always like to think that there is no project that we don’t enjoy. From detail work or simply painting a hard-to-access peak of a house to constructing large commercial spaces for agricultural operations and pretty much everything in between, we are happy to be of service. That being said, as anyone with a lot of Legos and a little bit of time can attest to, there is just something satisfying about building something either from the ground up or as an addition to an existing structure, such as this grain bin.

FSCS Sukup Grain Bin Addition Increases Grain Storage

Last September, we had the opportunity to do just that. Nathan Koester and his team worked with a client who was in need of more grain storage and better cooling behind their dryer. With harvest fast approaching and the need for storage looming, we got to work quickly to get the job done.

The final product was a 50,000 bushel, 15-ring tall Sukup grain bin that measured 36’ in diameter. This commercial bin was set up with a 5,000-pound load roof accessible by outside stairs complete with a safety rail. Additionally, we installed a 10” power sweep, a ceiling fan, and a roof auger. When it was all said and done, our client had significantly increased their storage capacity and was ready for whatever yields the harvest could throw their way.

If you are looking to increase your grain systems, improve your operation’s efficiency, or simply upgrade or retrofit aging equipment, we would love to help. Whether you have questions on what the best next step might be or if you know exactly what you want and just need to get it built, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services grain systems

Getting Grain Systems Ready for Fall

Forgive us if we sound like a broken record, but somehow it is already September, and all of those we’ll get to in the summer ideas are quickly running out of time. Harvest is here and pretty soon many of our clients will be right in the thick of it. If you haven’t had a chance to get out and evaluate your grain drying, grain storage, and other equipment yet, now is the time to avoid future problems and make sure your grain systems are up to date and running properly.

Grain Systems Pre-Harvest Preventative Maintenance

It’s always a good idea to fire everything up and make sure things will run as expected. It’s also a good idea to address any issues that may have come up last year. Did any of your grain spoil? Did you see any mold or unwanted moisture? Now is the time to squeeze in any last-minute maintenance on your drying systems. Our team is available to inspect any of your drying equipment and make sure that you are set up for an evenly-dried product in the future.

A little upkeep can go a long way, so be sure to clean out your equipment, check for gaps or holes where pests or moisture can come through. If you have had issues keeping grain thoroughly or evenly dry, it may be time to upgrade or expand your drying capabilities. Sometimes a little retrofitting is all you need for your equipment to work like it is brand new again.

While harvest is fast approaching, it is not too late to be prepared. If you find yourself looking at too little storage, outdated equipment, or any other issues or needs with grain storage, drying, or handling, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FSCS Construction Services grain system needs

We’ve Got Your Grain Needs Covered

“The best defense is a good offense,” is one of those age-old cliches that can be applied to almost anything and most people have probably heard it enough times to no longer consider its meaning. But bear with us as we use it to make at least one more point. When it comes to proper grain care, well… you know the rest. Let us know, we can help with your grain system needs.

Premier Selection of Grain Systems

There are a lot of things that can go wrong throughout the process of transferring your grain from field to storage. But even more than that, there are a lot of things that can seem to go okay, but over time, a little extra moisture or a pocket of grain that doesn’t get stirred or a storage bin that isn’t sealed off from pests, and suddenly you can find yourself playing defense to a host of problems. Stopping those problems before they happen is not only possible, it will save you time, headaches, and money.

The less you have to handle grain, the better. If your unloading tubes, augers, conveyers, or other handling equipment are no longer doing their job or you’ve consistently had to run over capacity, it may be time for an upgrade.

Similarly, if your drying fans and stirrers are no longer able to keep up, or if you need to be able to hold more in your bins, then you’re probably due for some new storage equipment.

We get the desire to put off any change for as long as possible, but if you are able to tend to these things before the problems happen, you should find yourself a lot more peace come harvest time.

If you’re grain handling and storage equipment just doesn’t seem to be cutting it anymore, whether you need a total overhaul or an upgrade of existing equipment, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services Fourth of July

Wishing You a Happy Fourth of July

We know that no one needs a reminder of how strange the past year-and-a-half has been for many people. Whether it was confusion, sorrow, sacrifice, or some combination of all of those, each of us had our lives altered in some way we probably never planned for. And yet, we still found our way forward.

FS Construction Services Celebrates the Fourth of July

This year we are looking at a Fourth of July celebration that hopefully feels different than the last. Maybe it’s more people gathered in your backyard or a trip to go see family and friends or maybe it’s just another year of learning and growing. Whatever the case, we here at FS Construction Services hope you have some time to relax and enjoy the holiday.

As always, we think about the many friends, family, and clients we have been able to work for and with over the past year. We are thankful that even in an odd year, we still had projects to work on, buildings to build, and clients to help. We are thankful that we still had the opportunity to meet new people and build new relationships.

Hopefully, you will have some time to unwind this Fourth of July, but of course, like most of you, we will be right back at it the next day. We may be in the middle of summer, but without fail, harvest and everything that comes with it, will be here before we know it.

So if you are in need of a new building, grain storage equipment, seed systems, a garage door, a new roof, or some other kind of service, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Contruction Services makes grain bin taller

Project Profile: Expanding a Grain Bin

We know that it can be hard to deny the appeal of something brand new. Whether it’s a car or boots or a building, it’s always pretty exciting (and maybe a little stressful) to buy something new. And while many of our projects are new construction, there are also times where new isn’t always the best or most efficient option.

Efficiently Adding Height Makes Grain Bin Taller

Such was the case last summer when a client of ours found himself in need of some additional grain storage space, but didn’t want to go through the needless process of completely tearing down the still-working grain storage he already had on his property. And while it may seem overly simple to suggest that we could simply just lift off the old bin and place more grain storage rings underneath and then reattach the existing storage bin, but in broad strokes, it really was that simple. Nathan Koester and his team added three additional rings underneath the original bin and then connected them together. This allowed our client to keep his original footprint while gaining the extra bushel capacity he was looking for. In addition to upsizing the storage, we also installed another fan to increase the airflow for what will now be a larger batch of grain, ensuring that grain will stay well aerated and avoid spoiling.

It’s said that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and in this instance, we think we’ve found an agricultural building equivalent to that saying.

If you are in need of more grain storage, whether you want to upgrade what you already have or start with something brand new, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.