Hopper Bottom Grain Silo

For farms and grain handling operations that prioritise complete, contamination-free emptying between batches, the hopper bottom silo is the standard. Its conical floor uses gravity to discharge stored grain through a central outlet without sweep equipment, without manual intervention, and without leaving residue behind. Franklin Hodge manufactures hopper bottom grain silos as part of our Brice-Baker range, with G600 galvanised steel construction and capacities matched to UK agricultural requirements.

What Is a Hopper Bottom Grain Silo? 

A hopper bottom grain silo is a vertical grain storage vessel with an inverted conical floor at the base, allowing stored grain to flow out under gravity through a single discharge point. The hopper angle is engineered to suit the flow characteristics of the grain being stored, so material moves cleanly to the outlet without bridging or arching inside the silo. 

The advantage over a flat bottom design is straightforward. The silo empties itself. There’s no sweep augers, no powered discharge equipment running under load, and no manual cleanout for residual grain at the end of each batch. 

Hopper Bottom vs Flat Bottom Grain Silo

Both hopper bottom and flat bottom grain silos have their place, and the right one depends on what the operation actually needs. 

A flat bottom grain silo offers more storage volume per footprint, since the entire vertical cylinder contributes to capacity. They suit larger-scale single-crop storage where sweep equipment handles final discharge. A hopper bottom grain silo trades some footprint efficiency for operational simplicity, with gravity-fed discharge that suits smaller capacity needs, operations storing multiple grain types in rotation, and any setup where avoiding cross-contamination between batches matters. 

For most UK farms running mixed cropping or batching grain by quality grade, the hopper bottom is the more practical specification. 

When a Hopper Bottom Grain Silo Is the Right Choice

Hopper bottom grain silos are particularly suited to: 

• Farms storing multiple grain types where avoiding cross-contamination matters 
• Operations that batch grain by quality grade or destination 
• Smaller-to-medium capacity requirements where footprint isn’t the dominant constraint 
• Sites where minimising powered discharge equipment is preferred for lifecycle cost 
• Grain handling where complete cleanout between batches supports food safety records 

For larger bulk stores of a single crop type, our flat bottom Brice-Baker silos are often the better fit.

Brice-Baker Hopper Bottom Grain Silos From Franklin Hodge 

Our Brice-Baker silos are manufactured from G600 galvanised steel and supplied in both hopper bottom and flat bottom configurations, with capacities up to 11,888m³ across the range. The hopper variant is designed for the operational profile of UK agricultural users, with discharge angles, outlet sizing, and structural supports specified for British weather, grain types, and farm layouts. 

Franklin Hodge is the exclusive UK manufacturer of the Brice-Baker silo range, with the silos we build today based on the same engineering principles that have kept earlier installations in service for decades.

Installation, Inspection, and Long-Term Support 

A grain silo is a long-service asset. Our silos inspection service uses drone technology to assess structural condition externally and internally without putting engineers at risk on the silo wall. Where assessments identify repair or upgrade requirements, our silos refurbishment team handles structural repairs, hopper relining, and full restoration to extend operational life. 

For farms with installed Brice-Baker silos, we maintain the engineering records and supply matched replacement components throughout the operational life of the installation. 

Speak to Franklin Hodge About Hopper Bottom Grain Silo Specification 

Selecting the right hopper bottom grain silo comes down to your capacity requirements, the grain types you handle, and the discharge profile that fits your operation. Our team will work through these with you and confirm the right Brice-Baker configuration. Contact us with your storage requirements and our agricultural team will be in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is a hopper bottom grain silo? 

A grain silo with a conical base that allows stored grain to flow out under gravity through a single discharge point, without sweep equipment. 

Does Franklin Hodge manufacture hopper bottom grain silos? 

Yes, our Brice-Baker range includes hopper bottom grain silos in G600 galvanised steel, with capacities tailored to UK agricultural operations. 

Hopper bottom or flat bottom: which silo should I choose? 

Hopper bottom suits operations storing multiple grain types or batches that need complete emptying; flat bottom suits larger single-crop bulk storage. 

What capacities are available? 

Brice-Baker silos are available in capacities up to 11,888m³ across both hopper and flat bottom configurations. 

Do you offer inspection and refurbishment for existing grain silos? 

Yes, our silos inspection service uses drone technology to assess condition, with refurbishment available where structural work is needed.