The case
An African contractor offers farmers in the area an efficient and safe drying service for processing two types of grain harvested at different times of the year: rice and corn. The former ripens between August and September, while the latter between February and March.
Traditionally, crop drying in these parts of Africa is done naturally, using methods that take advantage of sunlight and ambient heat. This method has the advantage of having a low labor cost; however, it brings with it several disadvantages, including exposure of the grain to dirt and uncertain weather events, as well as the possibility of theft and damage by animals. Post-harvest losses can therefore go as far as reducing the value of the crop by as much as 30 percent.
To avoid all this, improve product quality, and enable better storage, the client decided to opt for the purchase of two Mecmar mobile dryers: CPT 7/61 F and STR 13/119 T.
Due to the speed of drying and mobility of the machines, the customer can then offer a rapid drying service to all smallholder farmers within a 100km radius.
Simple and robust, the two plants require only fuel, a tractor and grain to achieve daily yields aligned with the needs of smallholder farmers in the area.
With this installation, the contractor customer can then:
- Offer a home drying service to their customers who, due to their small size, are unable to move their crop to be dried.
- Dry and clean the crop in a very short time so that farmers are more quickly ready for the next crop (in some cases, it is possible to grow the second crop in the same season).
- Pay back the purchase of the dryer in a few years and have the guarantee of a dryer that, if well maintained, can continue to operate for more than 30 years.
The provision of two mobile plants provides flexibility and a high economic return. Indeed, the contractor can move the dryers according to the season and thus count on a wide range of action, thus abandoning the risks of being bound to the demands of a single customer.
The project also contributes to the development of agricultural mechanization in African territories to adopt more modern and sustainable processing techniques. This includes raising awareness among farmers about the benefits of using dryers. These efforts aim to improve food security, increase farmers’ incomes and reduce the environmental impact of local farming activities.
The solution
Thanks to the special ventilation and air distribution system, mobile dryers ensure uniform grain treatment. This means that the grain is subjected to the same drying conditions, thus avoiding the risk of excessively wet or over-dried grains, which can compromise product quality.
Being mobile, the dryer can be easily transported from one place to another. This provides greater flexibility for the contractor, who then has the option of bringing the dryer close to harvesting areas or moving it between different locations according to seasonal or operational needs.
Particularly appreciated by the customer, then, is the dual drive feeding system with which the plants are equipped: a technology developed to optimize the performance of the dryers, reducing their operating costs and maximizing their yield. In fact, depending on preferences and conditions, the contractor can decide whether to drive the machine by electric power (typically 22-30 kW) or, in its absence, by tractor (30-60 hp).
Like all Mecmar mobile dryers, the two models CPT 7/61 F and STR 13/119 T arrived at the customer’s site already assembled, ready to go into action. This approach helps reduce shipping costs and simplifies the delivery and assembly process at the place of use.
Published data refer to corn and are calculated with mathematical models that use clean and ripe products and in normal operating conditions with 120°C drying air temperature and one hour cool-down time. Please do not hesitate to contact the nearest Mecmar dealer for more information.
Under our policy of continuous improvement, we reserve the right to change specifications provided without prior notice.
