Mecmar batch grain drier productivity and performance

Posted on September 21, 2010 by John McArthur

Nearly the entire UK area has now been harvested. The last 5% of wheat and 10% of spring barley have now, more than likely been cleared up since the most recent ADAS Harvest Report was published last Thursday. Mecmar grain driers are now hard at work around the UK with most farms getting well into the seasons drying work. At this point of the year the machine will be generally operating at its peak efficiency and maximum throughput will be achieved.

With this in mind, it seems like a good time to examine the variables that affect the productivity of a recirculating batch grain drier like the Mecmar. This post will focus on the key variables in terms of crop properties and condition that will impact the productivity of a mobile grain drier: Continue reading →

Harvest 2010 trends – The increasing batch capacity of mobile grain driers

Posted on September 13, 2010 by John McArthur

Over the last 10 years we have seen a steady increase in the average batch capacity of Mecmar Grain Driers in Britain and Ireland. This season has really seen our D 18 T drier cement itself as the most popular machine in our range. This increase in mobile grain drier output has been demanded by farmers as a response to several drivers.

In the past, machines with a 12 tonne batch capacity were by far and away the most popular. This size grain drier matched the combine outputs of the day and were a sound option for grain management. We believe the increased demand for larger batch driers is a result of several factors: Continue reading →

Harvest 2010 trends – Mecmar increasingly used as fixed continuous batch grain driers

Posted on September 7, 2010 by John McArthur

Several trends have emerged in the grain drying industry this harvest. I will take the next few posts to reflect on these. These reflections offer an opportunity to take stock in anticipation of the rapidly approaching UK Grain exhibition in November. The most notable trend is the continued rise in popularity of using Mecmar mobile grain driers in an automated, continuous batch grain drying system. We briefly summarised this in a piece of editorial recently written for a UK Grain event supplement.

This season has seen further growth in the use of Mecmar grain driers in continuous batch drying systems. The Mecmar’s performance, reliability and durability makes it highly suited to being at the centre of high-output, automated grain drying installations.

Mecmar automation options make it possible to run continuous batches and feature a range of additional functions. The drier is also capable of controlling grain handling equipment required to fill and empty.

There is a compelling economic case for installing a Mecmar drier in this way. It is based on relatively low capital costs and the high resale value of Mecmar grain driers. Couple to this the ability to dry down from very high moisture levels in one pass, the Mecmar continuous batch system presents an economical and robust grain drying option.

Furthermore, Mecmar now provide a turnkey service for fully integrating handling systems with the grain drier.

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Why now is the best time to evaluate your grain drying system

Posted on September 3, 2010 by John McArthur

All over the UK farms are well into harvest and many, especially in the south, are entering the crucial post-harvest phase. Grain drying, cooling and storage systems are in full swing, ensuring crops are in optimum condition before delivery. Now, more than at any other point in the year, farmers are very aware of the capability of their systems. At this point we believe it is crucial to evaluate your grain drying and a storage requirement as the existing system is put through its paces.

During harvest is when shortcomings in current systems are most obvious, it is also when the best ideas for improvements are formed. Improvements to grain drying systems may be aimed at Continue reading →

The harvest rush on second hand mobile batch grain driers

Posted on August 23, 2010 by John McArthur

Harvest 2010 is looking a bit gloomy at the moment, the weather forecast continues to look unpromising and 75% of UK wheat is still standing in the fields. However, the prospect that wheat prices may remain bullish in the short term is a welcome distraction (especially if Ukraine impose export quotas this week). Unfavourable weather conditions do not only cause panic buying on the international wheat market but they also cause panic buying on the (slightly smaller but no less important) UK second hand grain drier market.

Buying second hand grain driers

This combination of dreary weather forecasts and crops standing in the field drive hurried enquiries for second hand grain driers, the sole criteria being Continue reading →

New Mecmar Super Range mobile batch grain driers arrive in the UK

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Stewart McArthur

The first new Mecmar Super Range grain driers have just arrived in the UK. The Super Range was first manufactured by Mecmar in the 1980s and has been revived this season. It is a small capacity mobile batch grain drier with a simple and robust design that retains the high level of specification featured on the entire Mecmar range.

The Mecmar Super Range has been re-designed and put back into production to meet the demand of two key customers in the UK:

Smaller arable farms looking to on farm drying to maximise the value of their product before sale
Livestock farms using on farm drying to minimise operational costs associated with producing and storing their own feed

The Mecmar Super Range features a drier with a 7 tonne capacity and a larger machine with a 10 tonne capacity. The range is generally suitable for farms drying up to and around Continue reading →

Fuel selection for mobile batch grain driers – Part 2

Posted on July 21, 2010 by John McArthur

I will start my second post on fuel economy by reiterating the most important point in my previous post. Comparing the cost per litre of different fuels is not a direct indication of which is the most economical. In my last post I focused on the operational cost of different fuels. It demonstrated a startling difference in fuel costs. In this second post I will try to demonstrate how the most economical fuel for your farm may be deduced.

The selection of the most economical fuel must consider capital costs as well as operational costs. Capital costs include such things as Continue reading →

Fuel selection for mobile batch grain driers – Part 1

Posted on July 16, 2010 by John McArthur

Farmers looking at buying batch grain driers often ask which fuel Mecmar grain driers use. The answer is straightforward; we supply driers with diesel, gas or kerosene burners. All are clean and efficient fuels for grain drying. The next question is usually along the lines of, so which fuel is the most economical? This is a much more complicated question to answer and one I will address in my next two posts.

The first will look at the operational cost of drying with different fuels and the second will illustrate the influence of capital expenditure on fuel economics.

The question of fuel economy for mobile batch grain driers has no definitive answer as no two situations are ever the same. So I will attempt to highlight the variables and issues to provide some guidance on how to select the most economical fuel for your farm.

The important point that must be raised when considering fuel economy is, comparison of the cost per litre of different fuels gives no direct indication of which fuel is most economical. This is because Continue reading →

Buying a second hand grain drier

Posted on July 8, 2010 by Stewart McArthur

As the first combines of the year are entering the fields following a record-breaking dry spell in the UK, thoughts of grain drying naturally tend to slide down the list of priorities. However, this time of year is traditionally the busiest for the second hand grain drier market. With this in mind I have put together a checklist for inspecting second hand mobile batch grain driers. This post is not an exhustive source but covers, what I believe after many years of experience to be, the main issues when looking at a second hand grain drier.

Before getting close up to the machine, on first impressions, what condition does the grain drier appear to be in? Is it stored inside or outside? Is it cleaned out or filthy? Has someone driven the telescopic over the intake hopper? Continue reading →

On-farm gas storage for mobile batch grain driers

Posted on July 5, 2010 by John McArthur

Mecmar grain driers come with the option of a Modulating Propane Gas burner. These burners require a constant supply of LPG via bulk gas tanks. Due to the tightening of regulations, careful thought needs to be given to the installation and site requirements for the gas tanks when designing a grain drying and storage system.

Bulk storage tanks generally come in three capacities 1200l, 2000l or 4000l. Occasionally, capacity may be measured in tonnes in which case, tanks may be 0.6, 1 or 2 tonnes. When siting the tanks it is important to bear in mind Continue reading →

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