Grain dryer - donkey engine?

GrantMo · Jul 5, 2020

We’ve just bought a second hand 12 tonne pedrotti/masters dryer, diesel fired/PTO drive. We do have an old 80hp case that would be fit to drive it, but for various reasons I’d rather not have it tied up on the drier.
I have a 120hp 6 cylinder Perkins engine here from a Massey 625 combine and am considering mating the two together. Just wondered if anyone on here had done something similar and could share some pictures/tips? My main concern really is how to engage/disengage drive, if for some reason the engine conked out with a full drier it wouldnt be easy to get it going again?

quattro · Jul 5, 2020

Did one with a 6354 out of a lorry left gearbox and clutch on ,used clutch to stop and start it, it would stop and start when full
then a short prop shaft to drive a reverse drive gearbox to get rotation right way
didn’t use a radiator, used a big water tank that way it can never block up if wind changes
used it for years until going to electric drive

Richard98 · Jul 5, 2020

I'm interested to see how you get on, we've got a 12t pto mecmar drier, dad has always regretted selling the engine from our old 625 combine when it got cut up, thinking it would have been ideal as a drier engine.

Barleycorn · Jul 5, 2020

We put an engine from a 625 on a Mengele forager. Long time ago, but I'm pretty sure it had the clutch still on it that used to put the thrasher into gear.

GrantMo · Jul 5, 2020

Barleycorn said:
We put an engine from a 625 on a Mengele forager. Long time ago, but I'm pretty sure it had the clutch still on it that used to put the thrasher into gear.

I can take as much or as little of this combine as I want really, so I’ll have a look for that clutch when I go back to pick up the engine. The main pulley off the end of the engine has a big belt about 6” wide, was planning to take that and a few of the pulleys anyway to get her geared down to 540rpm. Probably aim for running the engine at about 1600 revs?

quattro · Jul 5, 2020

GrantMo said:
I can take as much or as little of this combine as I want really, so I’ll have a look for that clutch when I go back to pick up the engine. The main pulley off the end of the engine has a big belt about 6” wide, was planning to take that and a few of the pulleys anyway to get her geared down to 540rpm. Probably aim for running the engine at about 1600 revs?

You will need some way of altering the rotation of the engine

Sandy · Jul 5, 2020

quattro said:
You will need some way of altering the rotation of the engine

I a old lorry for the job with the alternating Gearbox I think it was £600 alone

Sharpy · Jul 5, 2020

@glasshouse was selling an ex trailed chopper engine setup with clutch etc.

GrantMo · Jul 5, 2020

Sharpy said:
@glasshouse was selling an ex trailed chopper engine setup with clutch etc.

I was talking to him about it, but it’s set up for 1000 PTO and a fair bit to go for it too. Might end up less hassle though!

GrantMo · Jul 5, 2020

Sandy said:
I a old lorry for the job with the alternating Gearbox I think it was £600 alone

I thought a lorry prop shaft turned the wrong way too?

Horn&corn · Jul 5, 2020

Use belt to drive pto and slacken belt for clutch ability. That’s how our old combine engages drum drive. To get rotator other way For Pto take drive from other side if that makes sense. Hopefully someone can explain better than me!

GrantMo · Jul 5, 2020

Horn&corn said:
Use belt to drive pto and slacken belt for clutch ability. That’s how our old combine engages drum drive. To get rotator other way For Pto take drive from other side if that makes sense. Hopefully someone can explain better than me!

That would work. Could rob the drum engaging pulley off the combine, then run a long drive shaft alongside the engine, and have the radiator end of the engine nearest the drier?

Horn&corn · Jul 5, 2020

GrantMo said:
That would work. Could rob the drum engaging pulley off the combine, then run a long drive shaft alongside the engine, and have the radiator end of the engine nearest the drier?

Exactly what I meant but other chaps idea of Large water tank Instead of radiator is very good. Leave rad attached incase it doesn’t work! Depends on size of pulleys for correct speed of pto as combine drum usually fast but at 2200 engine rpm

Farmersboy · Jul 5, 2020

Like this? No drive disengage though, starts the whole lot

GrantMo · Jul 5, 2020

Farmersboy said:
Like this? No drive disengage though, starts the whole lot View attachment 892324 View attachment 892324

Exactly the sort of thing I’m aiming for. So what happens if she conks out with a load in?

Sandy · Jul 5, 2020

GrantMo said:
I thought a lorry prop shaft turned the wrong way too?

That’s why it’s got the gearbox at the end

goodevans · Jul 5, 2020

Don't you have to engage belt drive on dryer once PTO is in anyway so shouldn't make a difference

Farmersboy · Jul 5, 2020

Gearbox came from Kramp. Change direction and 2:1 reduction. Engine runs around 1000 rpm, pto at 520. HRC coupling joins the two. Being modified right now, fitting a hydraulic pump, tank and valve block to drive the unload augers of both driers. The other drier has an electric motor drive. Not enough juice to run two big motors.

Campbell · Jul 5, 2020

I've seen many of these conversions, none have ever looked tidy or easy to operate. Usually a 'well past it's best' engine and gearbox on a chassis with a huge lever to operate the clutch system. Issues include, moving it around and setting up correct direction of rotation, protecting the drive lines safely, chaff blocking the rad, drier fan sucking in the exhaust fumes, small full tanks running out to soon. If no 3ph on hand, not many options I suppose. Good luck.

Farmersboy · Jul 5, 2020

GrantMo said:
Exactly the sort of thing I’m aiming for. So what happens if she conks out with a load in?

Not faced this yet, but I can soon pick it up with the telehandler and put a tractor there. Have stopped and started it with oats in recently just to try it. If there was an engine problem I can slide the PTO off, fix the problem, and hopefully it will restart. The test will be wet wheat?

Grain dryer - donkey engine?

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