Modern Engineering and Construction, manufacturer of "Kotzur" Silos, recently completed a major storage expansion for Wilken Storage at Warracknabeal, Victoria.

Wilken Storage is a privately owned grain storage facility with agencies for several of the bulk handling companies. Their requirement was additional, high security storage to compliment there existing silo and bunker storage. This was achieved by adding four x 4,000T silos onto their existing silo complex. The silo storage gives flexibility in terms of receiving and loading out grain when weather forces bunkers to remain closed. In addition, the fumigation and aeration facilities mean that grain can be safely stored without risk of damage due to insects or spoilage.

The new silos are fully sealed gastight and are serviced by a fumigation system capable of injecting phosphine from a centralized gas storage. In feed from truck is by bucket elevator to belt conveyors in over silo galleries. Emptying the silos is achieved with belt conveyors running in under silo concrete tunnels.

Modern Engineering and Construction completed the design of the project, supply of steelwork, much of the conveying and supply/erect of the "Kotzur" silo. All of the civil and concrete works were undertaken by Richard Wilken and his staff during the off-season.

The new facility, situated several kilometers north-east of the town, is an impressive landmark in the area - the silos and galleries rising some 32 metres above ground level.

Stage 2 of the project, which will see an additional 16,000 tonnes of storage added is currently under construction.