Frequently Asked Questions

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

Mecmar’s product range includes the following types of products: mobile dryers (with capacities ranging from 7 to 75 tons), tower dry ers for large-scale drying plants, roasters for soy and other cereals, electric roasters for soy and other cereals, cogeneration biological dryers and special systems for drying a wide variety of products.

When considering the purchase of a grain dryer (whether new or used), Mecmar recommends that you do not limit yourself to a comparison of the capacity (in tons) of the various mobile dryer models on the market. In fact, it is also advisable to compare the hourly productivity (ton/h) of the different dryers. Dryers of different brands also have different hourly productivity, even though they have the same capacity at standstill. The hourly productivity, therefore, provides a common parameter for comparing dryers and is also a clear indicator of the machine’s performance during operation.

If a dryer looks good, it is already more likely to have been kept in good service and maintenance condition. In any case, more specific components to check are:

• Control panel and burner. Check for water seepage, rust, and possible modifications that may have been made on site. Are all the machine components original? Regardless of the age of the dryer, the control panel and burner should always remain in good condition.
• Center tube and augers. Inspect the center tube along its entire length, looking for areas that may have holes or old repairs. Also inspect the auger coil reinforcements-the thickness indicates how much longer they can last before needing to be replaced.
• Mechanical transmission components. The best indicator of the condition of the gearbox, which moves the center auger, is the oil in it. Check the belts and that the mixer is aligned correctly.

Mecmar dryers differ from others on the market in many ways. In particular, our dryers are characterised by:

• stainless steel mesh and galvanisation of critical machine components;
• industrial chassis that guarantees safe movement of the machine, even on uneven ground;
• variable pitch augers, with reinforcing shims to ensure operation even in conditions (dirty or very humid product) and to favour durability over time;
• removable bevel gear, which transmits motion to the central auger: this element allows the piece to be replaced in case of failure, without having to empty the machine of grain;
• riello industrial burners, which guarantee unbeatable performance and are supported by an extensive worldwide service network.

The dryers are operated with oil (diesel), kerosene or liquid propane gas(LPG) burners. As a guide, the rule of thumb for calculating the consumption of mobile grain dryers is as follows:

• 1 litre of diesel fuel (diesel) to reduce by 1% d’moisture a tonne of maize;
• 05 litres of kerosene to reduce one tonne of maize by 1% d’moisture;
• 55 litres of liquid propane gas (LPG) to reduce the moisture content of a tonne of maize by 1%.

For any request for service or spare parts, please contact the dealer or retailer you purchased from directly. When requesting service, have the following information ready:

1. model of the machinery;
2. year of purchase;
3. serial number (see metal plate on the machine frame).

To increase the productivity of the dryer, it is possible:

• carry out cooling outside the dryer, for example in an adjacent silo. This can reduce the duration of the drying cycle by up to 25-30%;
• pass the grain through a cleaner before starting the drying cycle. This makes it possible to eliminate the impurities contained in the grain, which would otherwise have to be dried, leading to higher fuel consumption and a lengthening of the drying cycle;
• introduce an automation system, allowing the batch dryer to conduct a series of drying cycles automatically, thus eliminating downtime.

Mecmar and its dealers are able to assist you step by step in the commissioning of your new dryer. A Mecmar expert will be at your disposal to give you all the necessary information on the drying procedure, necessary maintenance, practical suggestions and to make sure that you will be completely autonomous in the management of your dryer.

Mecmar mobile dryers work in cycles and their operation is based on four main phases :

1. Loading phase: the wet cereal just collected from the field is loaded into the dryer, through a pit hopper with a system of elevators;
2. Drying phase : when the dryer is full, the burner ignites. The hot air enters the dryer and passes through the damp cereal wall, absorbing the moisture contained in the grains and drying them progressively. The cereal continues to recirculate inside the cylinder thanks to the central auger and the mixer arms, which allow to obtain a homogeneous final product. In this phase, the cereal is also cleaned of possible foreign bodies (for example, small grains, dust, impurities, etc.) thanks to a static cleaner installed in all Mecmar dryers;
3. Cooling phase : once the cereal is completely dried, the burner switches off while the fan continues to work to cool the grains, until they reach a safe temperature for long-term storage;
4. Discharge phase: the fan stops and the dryer discharge phase begins. Here, too, there are different unloading methods, depending on the customer’s needs (for example, unloading on the right or left, with augers, unloading on a wagon or in the warehouse, etc.). The product comes out dry, homogeneous, and clean.

There are three main traction systems for a mobile dryer:

1. with the power take-off of a tractor (PTO): simplest mode, it guarantees maximum flexibility to the user. The dryer, equipped with a tank for the burner, can operate anywhere by attaching the cardan shaft from the tractor to the machine shaft;
2. with an electric motor: the electric motor moves the whole machine and makes it possible not to have to use a tractor every time you run the dryer. With this configuration it is possible to install more advanced automation systems of the drying cycle dual drive: the dryer has the PTO and also an electric motor, so it can be operated alternatively with electricity – if available – or with the PTO of a tractor or an engine group;
3. with 4 electric motors: the maximum energy absorption is reduced, as only the motors that are of interest in that phase of the drying cycle are run (e.g. loading auger, central auger, fan, etc.);
4. with thepower take-off of a motor group: with this traction system, it is not necessary to occupy the tractor when the dryer is running.

Mecmar is able to provide you with a wide range of loading and unloading options for grain dryers. Examples of mobile dryer loading systems:

• Loading with hopper
• Loading from pit or motta – loading with auger
• Loading with external elevators
• Manual or automatic systems for loading from silos

Examples of mobile dryer exhaust systems:

• Unloading from the top by gravity;
• Double gravity unloading (left and right) between the net;
• 360 ° electric top unloading with auger – can unload 360 °;
• Unloading combined with grain handling systems (augers).

These are optimized technical solutions that allow a dryer to work with pre-existing grain handling systems (belt elevators, augers, etc.) or to provide loading and unloading systems combined with your drying plant.

Yes. Mecmar can supply you with a kit for converting your tractor-powered dryer into an electric one. This step can reduce operating costs and free up a tractor, which can instead be used for other activities in the fields.

For farms that already have a three-phase power supply, the decision to convert your dryer to an electric one is fairly straightforward. If you don’t have three-phase on the farm, two options are possible:

1. request three-phase power;
2. use a power generator powered by a motor unit.

Many farmers use the latter option, as it is less expensive than locking up a tractor to run the dryer all season, thus making it impossible to use in the field.