FAQ

How much fuel does a mobile dryer consume?

Dryers operate with diesel burners, kerosene or liquid propane gas (LPG). As a guidance, apply the following rule to calculate fuel consumption for mobile grain dryers:
1 litre of diesel to reduce the moisture of 1 tonne of corn by 1%
1.05 litres of kerosene to reduce the moisture of 1 tonne of corn by 1%
1.55 litres of liquid propane gas (LPG) to reduce the moisture of 1 tonne of corn by 1%

How long is the warranty coverage on Mecmar's dryers?

Mecmar dryers are generally covered by a 12-month warranty from the delivery date.

Who can I contact for support and spare parts?

For any request for assistance or spare parts, please contact directly the dealer / retailer where you purchased the product. Ensure you have the following information when you request support:
1. machinery model
2. year of purchase
3. serial number – see the metal plate on the frame of the machinery

How can I increase the productivity of my dryer?

There are two ways of increasing the productivity of the dryer:
1) Performing the cooling stage of the dryer outside (for example in an adjacent silo). Doing so may reduce the duration of the drying cycle by up to 25-30%;
2) Passing the cereal through a cleaner before starting the drying cycle. This eliminates the impurities contained in the grain that would otherwise have to be dried and would consume fuel, as well as extending the drying cycle time
3) Introducing the automation system, thereby letting the discontinuous dryer conduct a series of drying cycles automatically, thereby eliminating downtime.

How are the dryers put into operation?

Mecmar and its dealers are able to provide step-by-step guidance to install your new dryer. One of our experts will be with you to teach you the drying process, the required maintenance, practical tips and make sure you are completely self-sufficient.

What are the items in the Mecmar range?

Mecmar produces the following products:
mobile dryers with capacity from 7 to 75 tons;
tower dryers for large-sized drying systems;
soybean roaster;
organic and cogeneration dryers;
special systems for drying a variety of products.

How do I select the mobile dryer with the right capacity?

When considering the purchase of a new or second-hand grain dryer, here at Mecmar we recommend comparing the hourly production (tons/hour) and not only the capacity (tons) of the various mobile dryers. Dryers of different brands have different hourly outputs, although they have the same capacity when the machine is not running. Therefore, the hourly output provides a common parameter for the comparison between dryers and is a clear indicator of the performance of the machine during operation.

What should I check before buying a second-hand mobile grain dryer?

A dryer that looks good is more likely to have been kept in good maintenance and service conditions. Here are the main components you should check:
The control panel and the burner – Check for the presence of water infiltrations, rust and possible modifications that have been made on site. Are they all original components? The control panel and the burner should always be in good condition regardless of the age of the dryer.
The central tube and the augers – Inspect the central tube along the entire length to look for areas that may be have holes or old repairs. Inspect the reinforcements of the screw spirals: the thickness determines how long they can still last before they need to be changed
Mechanical transmission components – the best indicator of the state of the gearbox moving the main auger is the oil contained in it. Inspect the belts and ensure the mixer is aligned correctly.

How does a Mecmar Mobile Grain Dryer work?

The mobile dryers operate in cycles and their operation is based on 4 phases:
Loading: the moist grain, freshly harvested from the field, is loaded into the dryer through a hopper, from a pit, with a system of elevators, etc.
Drying: the burner turns on when the dryer is full The hot air enters inside the dryer and passes through the moist grain wall, absorbing the moisture contained in the grains and drying them gradually.The grain keeps recirculating inside the cylinder thanks to the central auger and the mixer arms that ensure an even final product.During this phase, any foreign bodies (e.g. small grains, dust, impurities, etc.) are removed from the grain thanks to a static cleaner installed on all Mecmar dryers
Cooling: once the grain has dried completely, the burner turns off, while the fan keeps on working to cool the grains until they reach a safe temperature for long-term storage
Discharge: the fan stops and the dryer discharge starts.Again, there are several discharge modes according to the customer's requirements (e.g. right or left discharge, with augers, discharge on a truck or in the warehouse, etc.). The product comes out dry, homogeneous and cleaned up.
In this video you can see a computer animation of the operation of a dryer that shows the various phases and the moving components during the drying cycle: go to the video.

What are the traction systems for a mobile dryer?

With the PTO of a tractor: this is the simplest mode that guarantees maximum flexibility for the user. The dryer, fitted with a burner tank, can work anywhere by connecting the cardan shaft from the tractor to the machine shaft
With an electric motor: the latter moves the entire machine and means you do not have to use a tractor whenever you operate the dryer. With the configuration you can install cutting-edge drying cycle automation systemsDual drive: the dryer has a PTO and also an electric motor, which means that it can be operated alternately with electricity if available or, if necessary, with the PTO of a tractor or of an engine unit. This configuration provides maximum flexibility for the user
With 4 electric motors: in this case, the maximum energy absorption is decreased as only the engines relevant during that phase of the drying cycle are operated: e.g. the loading auger, the central auger, the fan, etc.With the PTO of an engine unit, in which case you should not occupy the tractor when the dryer is running.

Can I customise the mobile dryer loading/discharging configurations?

Mecmar can provide a wide range of loading and discharge options for the grain dryers. Here are some examples of the loading systems of the mobile dryer:
Loading with hopper
Loading from a pit or a grain pile - loading by means of an auger
Loading with external elevators
Manual or automatic systems for loading from a silo
Here are some examples of the mobile dryer discharge systems

Discharge from above by gravity;
Double discharge by gravity (right and left) through the screen;
Electrical discharge from above via the auger – the dryer can discharge at 360°;
Discharge combined with grain handling systems (augers).
These are optimised technical solutions that let a dryer work with pre-existing grain handling systems (belt elevators, augers, etc.) or provide loading and discharging systems combined with your drying system.

Can a tractor dryer be turned into an electric one?

Of course Mecmar can provide you with a kit to turn your tractor dryer into an electric dryer.This can reduce operating costs and free up a tractor that can instead be used for other activities in the fields.For farms that already have a three-phase mains, the decision to turn the dryer into an electric dryer is rather immediate.If you do not have a three-phase supply in the farm, there are two options: request three-phase current or use a current generator powered by an engine unit.Many farmers use the second option because it is less expensive than blocking a tractor to operate the dryer for the entire season rather than using it in the field.

Why are Mecmar dryers different from all the other dryers?

The meshes are made of stainless steel and critical machine components are galvanised.
The mobile dryers are fitted with an industrial frame that guarantees safety when handling the machine even on uneven terrain.
The augers have variable speed augers with reinforcement thicknesses to ensure operation even under extreme conditions in terms of soiled or very moist products and ensure the augers last longer.
A removable bevel gear transmits motion to the main auger. This element allows you to intervene and replace the part in case of failure without having to remove the grains from the machine.
The dryers are equipped with Riello industrial burners that guarantee unparalleled performance and are supported by an extensive service network across the world.