How to get the best from your Mecmar
How a Mecmar grain drier fits into a farm’s drying and storage system is key to ensuring the most efficient and effective flow of grain from the field, through the grain drier and into the store.
Good positioning of the Mecmar grain drier on the farm will minimise re-handling, reduce management time and maximise throughput. Often the simpler a drying and storage system is, the more effective it is. A little time spent planning the location of a grain drier can save a vast quantity of time later.
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A grain drier can effectively operate inside a shed, allowing drying to be done whatever the weather. It is important to ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the building to allow condensation to escape. Thought must also be given to managing the dust produced by the drier during operation.
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Grain driers are most frequently positioned at the side of the grain store. This gives excellent ventilation around the drier and the dry crop can be emptied directly through the cladding onto the floor of the grain store. The drier can be supplied with a galvanised roof to prevent rain water entering the silo.
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Generally the best situation for a drier is in a well ventilated building alongside the grain store. This offers protection from the elements and provides the best working environment.
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Filling the grain drier direct from trailers or using a telescopic loader is the simplest method and suitable in many situations; matching the grain drier capacity to trailer capacity is often advisable to avoid splitting trailer loads.
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Large external hoppers can be used to hold one or two complete wet batches behind an automatic grain drier. This is the simplest way to ensure there is no downtime between batches and allows the drier to run 24 hours a day if required.
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Conveyors may be used alongisde automated grain driers. The drier can control the external conveyor, enabling it to fill itself when required. This allows wet grain to be tipped directly on a trench conveyor, minimising handing of wet grain.
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After grain is dried it may require transporting to the grain store, so matching the drier’s batch capacity to the trailer could be important. If drying for transport straight off farm, a batch capacity that matches a HGV grain trailer can make the process much more efficient.
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Locating the grain drier next to the store allows dry grain to empty directly onto the store floor. From here the dry grain can be moved at regular intervals using a telescopic loader, whilst the drier continues working. Using this method tractors and trailers are not required.
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The Mecmar grain drier can control external conveyors. Dry grain can be moved from the drier via conveyor directly into store. The Mecmar drier can be part of a fully automated drying and conveying system, without the need to use tractors, trailers or telescopic loaders.
