Running an Opico grain drier

[Joe]

In my hatred of fans and turning grain I bought an old grain drier. Never used one and waiting on service engineer, while waiting it’s in good knick and I need to fire it up.
Loading have worked out, but anyone have a step by step on how to get it going?

Have found the manual online but a simplified explanation is needed I think. Model is a 390 quiet and any help appreciated

 

[tr250]

In my hatred of fans and turning grain I bought an old grain drier. Never used one and waiting on service engineer, while waiting it’s in good knick and I need to fire it up.
Loading have worked out, but anyone have a step by step on how to get it going?

Have found the manual online but a simplified explanation is needed I think. Model is a 390 quiet and any help appreciated

Is it the basic controls

 

[Joe]

Is it the basic controls

Ye, know it sounds stupid but basically how do you turn it on what lever temps etc There’s couple of levers on it, and pressure gauges and how do these work. I’m probably over thinking it tbh

 

[e3120]

A picture would be useful. There are a few variants. My old 380 would start just by engaging the fan and you never needed to open the door. My newer 525 has to be started by holding a button.

Both stop the gas using grain temp - set about 115 and see how you get on. Cool for at least 45 minutes.

Leave the gas valves open all the time.

 

[tr250]

Ye, know it sounds stupid but basically how do you turn it on what lever temps etc There’s couple of levers on it, and pressure gauges and how do these work. I’m probably over thinking it tbh

I’m a novice like you bought it at a neighbors farm sale 3 years ago because it was cheap and I wanted something as a backup to the floor driers. I just googled it and got a manual in pdf form I think it was from opico website just set it on those and manually fire it up and keep testing testing it until it’s 15.5 % then switch burner off but I’m only doing bits and pieces through it

 

[Joe]

Best pics have will get some tomorrow

 

[Flat 10]

Best pics have will get some tomorrow

What’s the “temporary “ type shed, please? Looks good.

 

[Stephen E]

Looks like you are missing the electrical control box. It should mount under the green Opico sticker on the right hand side and plug a wire into the back of it.

 

[Joe]

Have it, just not connected up to it

 

[farmbrew]

Mine isn't the quiet model but probably the same controls.
Engage pto, it'll tell you if its too high or too low.
It will also tell you if air flow is ok...could be blocked air pipe.
Press crop and scroll through the options..wheat, barley, rape etc.
Preset plenum temps and final temps are set for each crop...can adjust if required
Press Check
Press and hold Start...you will hear flame ignite. should be within 30 seconds.
Hold until temp shows on led display.
If it doesn't ignite check spark plug is clean...ideally do this before you start it up
Also be aware of main auger drive belt wear/tension. Very likely burn it out if restarting pto when loaded.
Display will also tell you various faults or error codes if it doesn't fire up.
Good luck

 

[Weare Cham]

 

[Weare Cham]

Have it, just not connected up to it

I'd recommend a cotton bud and some easy start on the pins in the back of the box to get them clean and make good contact.

 

[chaffcutter]

Used to run two, nothing like them for cleaning up a grain sample, used to take one on a 4000 round drying on contract, we salvaged some rough samples of grain which came out sweet and dry!

 

[Chae1]

In my hatred of fans and turning grain I bought an old grain drier. Never used one and waiting on service engineer, while waiting it’s in good knick and I need to fire it up.
Loading have worked out, but anyone have a step by step on how to get it going?

Have found the manual online but a simplified explanation is needed I think. Model is a 390 quiet and any help appreciated

If you think that's in good knick, wouldn't like to see a rough one!

 

[Welderloon]

Firing it is covered above

Check the vertical auger bottom bearing regularly
Check the condition of the bottom bearing mount plate - these wear & corrode through time
Check condition of loading auger bearings
Always have a spare set of belts on standby & keep a note of the part numbers
Keep an eye on the condition of the mesh sides, especially the tapered sections at the bottom ( they split )
Do not fill it with wet beans (ever) unless you like shoveling through an awkward gap
Watch your fingers, hands, head when in about it due to the sharp corners on every single piece of metal.

As said, brilliant for drying, cooling or cleaning up grain

Parts are readily available, machines are simple, blow it down & keep it dry when not in use.

 

[chaffcutter]

We had the usual trouble with the bottom bearings but cured that by replacing the bottom of the drum wit 1/4 plate and fitting an angular contact bearing which would take the downward force of the auger, and fitting it with a pipe and remote grease nipple, no problems after that
Nobody wants to get under the bin in the dust and barley awns to grease the original bearings every day!

 

[Jock]

Final piece of advice……………… A ladder across the top of it makes working up there a lot easier than balancing on a couple of old pallets resting at 30 degrees

 

[Joe]

Firing it is covered above

Check the vertical auger bottom bearing regularly
Check the condition of the bottom bearing mount plate - these wear & corrode through time
Check condition of loading auger bearings
Always have a spare set of belts on standby & keep a note of the part numbers
Keep an eye on the condition of the mesh sides, especially the tapered sections at the bottom ( they split )
Do not fill it with wet beans (ever) unless you like shoveling through an awkward gap
Watch your fingers, hands, head when in about it due to the sharp corners on every single piece of metal.

As said, brilliant for drying, cooling or cleaning up grain

Parts are readily available, machines are simple, blow it down & keep it dry when not in use.

Would you have a picture of fan belt setup, belt was gone and put replacement in but can’t tension it enough, might have done something wrong

 

[Joe]

Any chance of a picture of your fan belt setup?

 

[Joe]

If you think that's in good knick, wouldn't like to see a rough one!

I’d say mirror might help you there