How can I seal my feed bins and keep the lids up?

[Char1991]

Hi

I have horses so have these large metal feed bins. The lids go all the way back which is annoying, is there any sort of strut or something I can use to just keep them open without folding all the way back on themselves - theres reasons I cant do that.

Also on one side the lid has bowed so its not sealed anymore and vermin can get in. What can I do to help seal it once more?

Thanks

 

 

 

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Char1991,

Thank you for your questions about modifying your feed bins.

There are options for gas struts, but because of the frameless design, it could be tricky to mount them.

A simple Cabin Hook mounted to the side of the box that you manually hook into the bracket when needed should work.

Where the lid has bowed, I would be looking first to try bending it back to minimise the gap using some pliers. You could then use things like foam strips to help close up the gaps.

Allow me to tag @Dave-1, @Noyade and @JoeAzza to see if they have any ideas.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @Char1991 

I was thinking of gas struts as well until @JacobZ mentioned that it could be tricky to mount them. You could install pieces of timber to the top edge of teh box and lid where the gas mount will be and that would work. However for ease I actually like the chain idea with either a lift and hook, or a pully and loop. (Pully and loop would just be a wire to the center of teh front of the lid, up through a pully on a 45 deg angle and then down to a sailers hook so you can loop it around. It would make it easier to lift and hook as its one motion over two)

I also like the foam strips to help seal the lid if it cant be bent back. Or go the route I suggeste dwith the timber strips so you get a wide edge to attach something course to. What is the gap between lid and container ?

Dave

[Char1991]

I thought about a cabin hook but id need a very long one almost like what holds a car bonnet open and I dont think Bunnings has anything that length

[EricL]

Hello @Char1991 

To seal the lid, I suggest having a look at using Pinnacle 200mm Galvanised Gate Hook or the Syneco 115 - 125mm Zinc Plated Adjustable Toggle Latch. To keep the lids up I suggest looking at Prestige 240mm Zinc Plated Steel Card Table Stay. This is on the condition that the lid is not that heavy. Otherwise, I propose using a 100mm 1.8m Pole H4 Treated Pine Round CCA - 1.8m cutting it in half and using it like a car bonnet holder. 

Eric

[Char1991]

Oh those look perfect and that's a good idea on the toggle latch