Mobile batch grain drier automation, the big issue at RHS 2010

We have just returned from exhibiting at the Royal Highland Show and as always it was a fantastic event. I think it must be the leading agricultural show in the UK, fully encompassing all aspects of rural life. For the exhibitor, the Royal Highland Showground is an absolute luxury, especially after the mayhem of Cereals this year (why they insist on having such a significant event in a field while Stoneleigh sits empty is beyond me).

However, at the RHS this year we exhibited an 18 tonne electric, automatic, mobile batch grain drier. This season has seen a continuing trend for the automation of mobile batch grain driers, in response to this Seedarhave developed three systems with varying degrees of automation:

• Semi automatic – the grain drier will automatically load, dry, cool and empty one batch then shutdown
• Automatic – the grain drier will automatically load, dry, cool and empty for a set number of batches then shutdown
• Advanced automatic – the grain drier will automatically, dry, cool and empty for a set number of batches then shutdown. It has additional features including:
  • an automatic top-up function
  • a ‘return to burner phase’ function (without leaving automatic mode), and
  • capability to control external conveyancing equipment used to fill or empty the grain drier

The interest in automation of mobile batch grain driers is related to the growing interest in running them in continuous batch systems and the advantages this offers. We have worked closely with Sellars, our main retailer in Scotland, on several such systems this year. Together, we have combined our expertise to produce designs for incorporating Seedargrain driers into permanent continuous batch drying systems.