Coal Bin Design and Pics

I have been using a small steel bin for coal. It holds just over a ton of buckwheat anthracite.

I wanted to have a larger bin, as I only have enough coal on hand for a month- if the weather isn't too bad Any interruption in the supply or delivery cycle could be a real problem.

A very generous member has made it possible for me to build this out of 2x6 rough lumber. You know who you are!

Here is the plan on Google Sketchup:
The roof will be hinged at the back. We will add a coal vac system to transfer the coal inside to the hopper as needed.

The front right side is for removable slats. Never want to count on only one way to remove coal. Plus, it can provide an entrance once the coal level drops.

Here are some pics along the way.
We used lag bolts to attach the 2x6's to the 4x4's.

The 2x6's are sitting on the sides of the steel bin. The 4x4's hang 6" inside the top of the bin, to prevent the boards from being pushed off the bin.

More progress...
Bin could use some paint this spring.
The plastic chicken feed bags are temporary and worked well during yesterday's very long rains. The one on the right is attached to the piece of loose board to act as a weight to hold it in place.

Makes it easy for daughter to climb in and fill the buckets- until we get the coal vac plumbed through the metal plate on the wall. It's the old coal chute from the long-removed inside bin. You can see the fill and vent pipes for the fuel oil tanks.

Anybody want some poison ivy? LOL. Killed it last spring, but waiting for my buddy who doesn't get poison to come pull it off the wall.

This side of the house is going to be dug out and get landscaping and other attention this year. For now, just put some gravel down and this bin.

Enjoy the pics!

Thank you for sharing the design details, it will be a benefit to others.

How far is the bin from your boiler?

Rob R. wrote:Thank you for sharing the design details, it will be a benefit to others.

How far is the bin from your boiler?

Thanks. Hope it helps someone. I've spent a great deal of time look at others' coal bin pics, working out a plan.

Anyone is welcome to the Sketchup file if they like. I don't claim to be an expert, but it's worth what you pay for it, LOL. Just PM me if interested.

The boiler hopper is inside, about 10-12ft from the wall, and about 2" from the right side.

In this pic from last year while testing the coal vac design (to an ash bin on the floor), you can see the hopper is below the bucket and the direct vent on the right of the pic can also be seen to the right of the outside coal bin pics above.

That came out real nice CCW. Yep, spring will bring a need to paint & other tweakin ya find she needs

freetown fred wrote:That came out real nice CCW. Yep, spring will bring a need to paint & other tweakin ya find she needs

Thanks, Fred.

Looking for tips on what to treat the wood with? The inside will be dirty with coal dust by then, so may not have much luck anyways.

Think when this load of coal is near the bottom I will drill a few more holes in the bottom for drains, only one now. Might pick up a few patio blocks to set the wheels on, too. Keep it off the ground a few inches. It started off the ground, but sank with the weight

I'd like to pour a small pad for a larger bin away from the house and use the tractor to load this one via the roof. Might pour a small pad here, too.

But we have winter to finish here, first