Small Scale grain drying

[BuskhillFarm]

Hi what are people using to dry down grain in a small scale? I try to get rid of as much at harvest off combine.

I have a grain store, power floated floor and 8ft walls. Would only be storing 150-200 tonnes.

I don’t have 3 phase.

Would a second/third hand batch dryer be best (although don’t have a second tractor to run it)

Or lateral pipes something like below be best? But can I get a decent air flow with single phase??

http://www.grainmachinery.co.uk/docs/kongskilde-horizontal-drying-system.pdf

 

[Cowcorn]

Hi what are people using to dry down grain in a small scale? I try to get rid of as much at harvest off combine.

I have a grain store, power floated floor and 8ft walls. Would only be storing 150-200 tonnes.

I don’t have 3 phase.

Would a second/third hand batch dryer be best (although don’t have a second tractor to run it)

Or lateral pipes something like below be best? But can I get a decent air flow with single phase??

http://www.grainmachinery.co.uk/docs/kongskilde-horizontal-drying-system.pdf

A ten ton mobile batch drier would cover you but lateral pipes could do the job as long as the moisture wasnt to high . Single phase should suffice .

 

[quattro]

I would go 10/12 ton mobile, don’t worry about age more condition of machine
I use twin wall pipe and single phase fan for keeping grain cool and storing upto 25ft deep
dryer also Improves bushel weight

 

[JLLM]

@Campbell

 

[2wheels]

another + for a mobile drier.

 

[BuskhillFarm]

I had thought the mobile drier would be the best, just the cost plus an additional small tractor that won’t be used for anything else.
the moisture can be quite high as it’s wet enough around here especially anything combining late aug or September. So at least mobile will bring it down.

 

[Lincsman]

A batch drier will do it, it can wait a little of not too wet... less than 18% for when your tractor is free.

 

[fredf]

Use an engine off an old combine. I put one together years ago.

Tom

 

[Pebd99]

My votes for a mobile and just hire a generator to save buying another tractor.

 

[Hampton]

Phil p bought a slave engine this summer

 

[steveR]

Don't discount using several pedestals in your heap as well. They will dry grain over an extended period of time if
the weather is right, or keep it stable until you dry.

I never used the wee heaters that can be used on the pedestals.... dunno if they are any use.

 

[Flat 10]

I vote mobile dryer. But you could use a co op store to move wet grain?!?!?

 

[BuskhillFarm]

I like the idea of the slave engine, how do you connect it up? Do you need a gearbox for 540?
What sort of power do you need to sensibly run a 10-12ton dryer at a lower rpm than flat out?

 

[BuskhillFarm]

I do have the pedestals which do for short term.
No co-ops around here. But my local livestock feeds take it in wet but penalty’s per percent are high adds up a lot especially a year like this when it was cut wet or cut really wet

 

[quattro]

I like the idea of the slave engine, how do you connect it up? Do you need a gearbox for 540?
What sort of power do you need to sensibly run a 10-12ton dryer at a lower rpm than flat out?

Ideally you need a reverse drive gearbox I’ve a ford engine and gearbox in a frame for sale, but it would need reverse drive also
I had a 6345 Perkins on a 25 ton drier and it just purred away nicely

 

[Phil P]

Phil p bought a slave engine this summer

He’d need 3 phase for my setup.

 

[Lincsman]

I do have the pedestals which do for short term.
No co-ops around here. But my local livestock feeds take it in wet but penalty’s per percent are high adds up a lot especially a year like this when it was cut wet or cut really wet

Penalties will be high, remember you are selling a lot of water and not burning fuel or loosing weight, generally round here if someone/boat will take moisture its best to sell it wet.