FS Construction Services Jarret Herzog parts and service

Herzog Profile: Parts and Service (#3 of 3)

Over the past couple months we have been speaking with Jarret Herzog, our Service Manager at FS Construction Services, and leaning on his 20 years of experience here to learn about a variety of topics. Jarret embodies our philosophy at FS Construction Services of a client-first approach. So this time, as we explore parts and service, you will also get a sense of how we approach our clients, even long after the point of sale.

Jarret Herzog Takes Pride in Parts and Service

Jarret puts it best when he says, “My goal is to treat people how I would like to be treated.” We know that the world of agriculture is stressful. There are, quite literally, many moving parts at all times. There is a crucial reliance on properly working machinery, often uncooperative elements, and the added stressor of time crunch. All of this means that things have to work the way they’re supposed to, and if they don’t, there needs to be a solution quickly.

For that reason, “We keep a good inventory available for all machines, including Sukup, Shivvers, and GSI. This includes pulleys, belts, bearings, and motors.” In some cases, we are able to troubleshoot and solve problems over the phone. Not only is there the internal knowledge of our team, but we also have many catalogs, books, and manuals on hand for reference.

As Jarret says, “We need to take care of our customers, or we are falling short of our commitment. We get them what they need to keep them going. This is so very important, especially during harvest. It can mean longer hours, extra work, but this is the Super Bowl for growers.”

Over the years, we have come to expect certain issues arise and have anticipated solutions. We know during harvest we will get a lot of service requests for drying systems, and we also know that we can do the math to calculate proper speeds for drying systems over the phone. We also know that we get many service requests regarding unloading in January: power sweep trouble, bearings going out in vertical unloads, and electrical motor issues.

If you find yourself in a pinch, have an unanswered question, or need a new part quickly, 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.

Jarret Herzog FS Construction Services grain system brands expert

Herzog Profile: Grain System Brands We Service (#2 of 3)

Last month we spent some time focusing on one of our own employees, Jarret Herzog, as we explored the topic of preventative maintenance. Jarret’s almost 20 years as Service Manager at FS Construction Services makes him an ideal resource to discuss servicing grain systems.

This time, we are going to let Jarret talk about the three main manufacturers we work with in the grain systems world.

 

Herzog is Expert in Grain System Brands

 

Sukup

“We have a lot of customers that purchase grain bins and storage systems from us that are the Sukup brand. We work closely with them. They are a family-owned business that is highly dedicated to supporting and delivering the highest quality materials for growers.”

Like Jarret said, we spend a lot of time working with Sukup Manufacturing equipment. They are known for their grain bins, dryers, and grain handling equipment. Their quality and value have made them a popular choice in the counties we most often work in. For that reason, we have become quite comfortable working with Sukup over the years. On the rare occasion we can’t answer a question about Sukup equipment, the close relationship we’ve built over the years makes finding those answers a fast and easy process.

 

Shivvers

“Shivvers is another family-owned company that we work closely with. Their high-quality systems and components make them a great provider of solutions for our customers.”

Shivvers Manufacturing has been a leader in the grain-drying world for 55 years, and it shows. Their excellent counter-flow drying systems are a great value for our customers. Similar to our partners at Sukkup, our close relationship with Shivvers is a tremendous asset to our customers.

 

GSI

“GSI is another manufacturer that we feature. They have solutions for storage, conditioning, and handling.”

While we are generally called upon less to work with GSI, they are still an incredible manufacturer that provides high-quality products. Their grain products cover a wide variety of functions and their global footprint provides unique industry insight.

 

With these three great brands as partners, we know that whatever problem or need our clients face, we will be able to find a solution that fits them. If you are interested in adding or updating a grain system, 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.

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.

FS Construction Services grain system solutions

Grain Storage and Handling Solutions

At FS Construction Services we know that being a farmer is no small job. The time commitment is significant, the work is hard, and despite everyone’s best efforts, the unpredictability of it all is impossible to account for. And while we will never be able to control the sun, the rain, the market, and a handful of other things, we can at least make sure that once the crop is harvested, it’s going to a warm, dry place where you can count on its usefulness when the time is right.

Partner with FS Construction Services for all of your Grain Systems needs

Over the years we have partnered with the best in the business, from Sukup Manufacturing, to GSI, to Brock Grain Systems, to Hutchinson so we can provide our clients with the best products at the best prices to meet their specific needs.

When it comes to grain storage, we’ve built them every which way in every size you can think of. From on-farm storage to huge, commercial storage units, our specialists know their way around this equipment and how to fit it to your specifications. From dreaming up the possibilities to presenting you with your brand-new structure, our team will be with you every step of the way.

We know that you need to be able to get your grain from the field to that storage, which is why we also specialize in bin wells, unloading tubes, conveyers, augers, hoppers, and more.

If you have been considering updating or upgrading your grain storage or handling equipment, don’t hesitate to reach out. Even if you have questions about something you might like to do in the future, we will be happy to talk with you and help you through the process.

Whatever your need, 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

Why Choose FS Construction for Your Grain Storage

If you’re new to FS Construction Services, you may not know this about us, but grain storage is one of our specialties. Over the course of our 40-plus years, we have worked all over southern Illinois and the Midwest building grain and seed systems of all kinds of sizes for all kinds of clients. To ensure that we are always able to offer the best products at the best prices, we have partnered with many wonderful manufacturers, including: GSI, Sukup, Grain Handler, and Brock.

Get the Best Grain Storage for the Best Price

One of the main benefits of working with so many different partners is that, not only do we have a variety of product and cost options to choose from, we’re also able to extend a number of deals, discounts, and offers to our customers throughout the year.

Our experienced team works efficiently without cutting corners. We understand the time-sensitive reality that these structures carry, but we also know that your grain bin needs to last for many, many seasons and that your grain should be free of unnecessary pests and rot. We also know that most of the time you need more than just a big container to hold your crop. Often, there will be a need for fans, power sweeps, stirrers, and more. Part of our job is helping our clients determine the right equipment, the right bushel capacity, and the right layout for their grain system.

If you are interested in a new grain bin, or in updating an existing structure, be sure to reach out to us. While we are able to work quickly, the sooner you contact us the sooner we can find a time on the calendar to get you the equipment you need. Additionally, if you are interested in any other kind of grain handling or grain drying, 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.

 

 

Monitoring Moisture to Maximize Your Soybean Yield

We know corn harvest has been a mixed bag – and definitely down – this year. As corn harvest progresses, the weather cools and we (hope to) get a bit more rain, now is the time to focus on maximizing your upcoming soybean crop and care for it once it’s in the bin.

Studies at the University of Illinois have shown that the average combine leaves 10 percent of the soybean crop in the field. However, by harvesting at a higher moisture content, these losses can be reduced to 4-5 percent. In addition, market weight (and thus value) decrease about 1.15 percent per point of moisture below 13 percent. Again, there’s a case for maximizing value through moisture.

With the advantages documented at those moisture levels, it’s time to have your grain drying plan ready and in place. Because beans have such high oil content, you’ll want to be especially careful in monitoring your bins every day or two. Even though beans typically only require aeration to get them in proper condition, you’ll still want to monitor airflow and the need for heat.

To review your options and set your plan of attack, we recommend taking a look at the FS Grain Drying Guide on our site. You’ll find 60 pages of information on different drying systems and the specifics for drying corn, soybeans, wheat and milo. The facts in the guide can lead to a true increase in your harvest revenue – something vitally important in challenging growing years such as 2012.

 

Opportunity Arises for Purchasing Grain Systems

With an already wild first half of the year, FS Construction Services strongly suggests that now may be the perfect time to purchase grain drying, storage or handling equipment for your farm. Farmers and landowners have plummeting steel prices to thank for the opportunity.

According to statistics provided by Growmark, since January 2012 multiple costs are down, creating a more plausible reason to make the investment.

  • Scrap is down 19%
  • Cold-rolled coils down 16%
  • Hot-dipped galvanized down 15%
  • Rebar down 13%

Reduced grain production and this dip in steel prices is affecting manufacturers and has created a need to move equipment, such as grain bins, out in order to make room for the new. FS Construction Services offers grain systems products from brands such as GSI, Lowry, Sukup, Grain Handler, Brock and more.

If you’re considering looking ahead and making the investment, we suggest talking with us at FS Construction Services to look at your options. Give us a call today at 866-551-3454, and we’ll help you make the most profitable decision for your situation.

 

 

Farm Storage Facility Loan Program

For some landowners, considering an update in grain systems or upgrade in storage sizing may seem unattainable due to upfront costs and initial investment. But for those who qualify, and many do, the USDA Farm Service Agency offers the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL). FSFL provides low-interest financing for producers to build or upgrade their grain storage and handling facilities. With coordination and building from FS Construction Services, off-season promotions from our largest grain system suppliers and FSFL – acquiring a new grain storage structure is possible.

There are multiple factors that contribute to one’s eligibility including qualifying commodity type, approval by the local FSA county committee, structure lifespan of at least 15 years whether new or renovated, as well as security requirements, among others.

The maximum loan amount through FSFL is $500,000 per loan with eligible cost items such as purchase price and sales tax, shipping and delivery, site preparation and installation and attorney or archaeological study fees.

The Grain Systems Department at FS Construction Services not only provides these qualifying facilities from GSI, Brock, Lowry, Sukup, Shivvers and Hutchinson, but we’ll also work with you to begin the FSFL application process. Pursuing these upgrades and updates now ensures profitability and return on investment because of the optimal level at which you can store your grain. Let us work with you to get a plan in place.

For more information on FSFL, visit the Fact Sheet on the FSA section of the USDA website or call us at 866-551-3454 to investigate your options.

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Secure Your Grain Storage, Handling and Drying Upgrades Now

With the recent conclusion of harvest and the cold weather now closing in, Gateway FS suggests now as the time to prepare for next season. As you plan your seed orders in the coming months, have you considered the addition of that 20,000-bushel (or larger) grain bin you’ve had an eye on? Or maybe you’ve looked into a new option for your grain drying or handling. Gateway FS encourages you to take the steps towards acquiring those upgrades now.

Many of our suppliers offer premium discount pricing as the year comes to a close and while farmers are considering equipment updates needed for maximized production next season. The sooner you research and secure your purchase, the deeper the discounts you’ll receive. If you’re unsure about which grain system upgrade will be most beneficial, contact our Grain Systems department for help with your decision.

Some of our suppliers offering off-season discounts include:

GSI
Shivvers
Hutchinson
Sukup
Brock
Lowry

For more information regarding the discounts you can receive on your equipment upgrades, contact us today.

Grain Systems – Glen Muench – 866.551.3454 – Email

Grain Systems (Southern) – Nathan Koester – 618.528.2395 – Email