Abstract: An improved grain dryer is presented having a mixed-flow heating section having a plurality of inlet ducts connected to the plenum that facilitate air flow into the grain column from the heated and pressurized heat plenum, and a plurality of exhaust ducts connected to openings in the exterior wall that facilitate air flow out of the grain column. Outer most ducts of the inlet and exhaust ducts, which are positioned closest to end walls of the grain column, are configured to reduce bridging or grain between the outer most ducts and the end walls of the grain column.

Abstract: An improved grain dryer is presented having a mixed-flow heating section having a plurality of inlet ducts connected to the plenum that facilitate air flow into the grain column from the heated and pressurized heat plenum, and a plurality of exhaust ducts connected to openings in the exterior wall that facilitate air flow out of the grain column. Outer most ducts of the inlet and exhaust ducts, which are positioned closest to end walls of the grain column, are configured to reduce bridging or grain between the outer most ducts and the end walls of the grain column.

Abstract: A system is presented for evaluating grain in a grain handling system. The system includes a sensor system and a sample conveyor system. In one or more arrangements, the sensor system is operatively connected to the grain handling system and includes an optical sensor. The sample conveyor system is configured to collect samples of grain in the grain handling system, deliver the samples of grain to the sensor system, and remove the samples of grain from the sensor system. The sensor system is configured to measure characteristics of the samples of grain delivered to the sensor system by the sample conveyor system. In one or more arrangements, the system includes a cleaning system configured to clean the optical sensor, the lens; and/or other components of the sensor system. In one or more arrangements, the system includes a recalibration system configured to recalibrate the optical sensor.

Abstract: An improved mixed flow grain dryer is presented having a grain column with upper, middle and lower drying sections. The system includes a set of plenums and ducts configured to move air through the middle and lower drying sections at one or more lower temperatures, recover the air moved through the middle and lower drying sections, and move the recovered air through the upper drying section at a higher temperature. The system is configured to move grain through the upper drying section, then through the middle drying section, then through the lower drying section, while also: moving air of one or more lower temperatures through lower drying section and middle drying section, combining air moved through lower drying section and middle drying section, and moving the combined air through the upper drying section at a higher temperature.

Abstract: An improved grain dryer is presented having a mixed-flow heating section having a plurality of inlet ducts connected to the plenum that facilitate air flow into the grain column from the heated and pressurized heat plenum, and a plurality of exhaust ducts connected to openings in the exterior wall that facilitate air flow out of the grain column. Outer most ducts of the inlet and exhaust ducts, which are positioned closest to end walls of the grain column, are configured to reduce bridging or grain between the outer most ducts and the end walls of the grain column.

Abstract: An improved grain dryer is presented having a mixed-flow heating section having a plurality of inlet ducts connected to the plenum that facilitate air flow into the grain column from the heated and pressurized heat plenum, and a plurality of exhaust ducts connected to openings in the exterior wall that facilitate air flow out of the grain column. Outer most ducts of the inlet and exhaust ducts, which are positioned closest to end walls of the grain column, are configured to reduce bridging or grain between the outer most ducts and the end walls of the grain column.

Abstract: A grain dryer unload system is presented that facilitates operation of a discharge system independent of a metering system. A motor connects to an axle that connects to the discharge system, which may be a drag chain, a belt or an auger. The axle also connects to a metering system. A clutch mechanism is connected to an end of the axle and is positioned between the discharge system and the metering system. When the clutch mechanism is in an engaged position, the motor simultaneously operates the metering system and the discharge system. However, when the clutch mechanism is in a disengaged position, the motor operates the discharge system while the metering system does not operate. This arrangement facilitates easier cleaning of the grain dryer without introducing the fines into the grain or a connected grain storage device.

Abstract: An improved grain dryer is presented having a mixed-flow heating section having a plurality of inlet ducts connected to the plenum that facilitate air flow into the grain column from the heated and pressurized heat plenum, and a plurality of exhaust ducts connected to openings in the exterior wall that facilitate air flow out of the grain column. Outer most ducts of the inlet and exhaust ducts, which are positioned closest to end walls of the grain column, are configured to reduce bridging or grain between the outer most ducts and the end walls of the grain column.

Abstract: An improved grain dryer is presented having a mixed-flow heating section having a plurality of inlet ducts connected to the plenum that facilitate air flow into the grain column from the heated and pressurized heat plenum, and a plurality of exhaust ducts connected to openings in the exterior wall that facilitate air flow out of the grain column. A tempering section is positioned below the heating section and includes solid walls that reduce air flow through the grain column. A cooling section is positioned below the tempering section and includes perforated walls that facilitate air flow through the grain column and into the plenum. In use, heated air is forced outward through the mixed-flow heating section heating and drying the grain and air is pulled through the cross-flow cooling section cooling the grain. Air pulled through the cross-flow cooling section is recycled into the mixed-flow heating section thereby recycling heat.

Abstract: A modular octagon burner has a plurality of fuel manifold modules. Each of the fuel manifold modules have a mounting flange on each end that angles inwardly to permit the fuel manifold modules to form an octagon when connected together. Inner and outer mixing plates are connected to the fuel manifold modules and to one another to form a combustion region.

Abstract: A grain dryer having a mixed-flow heating section, a tempering transition section, and a vacuum-cooled crossflow cooling section. A fan positioned on the end of the dryer creates a negative pressure in the cooling plenum that pulls air through the grain, warming the air while cooling the grain. This warmed air is pulled through the fan and then passed through a heater to bring it to appropriate drying temperature. This air is then pushed into a heating plenum, where it passes through a mixed-flow grain column, drying the grain, and then exhausted to ambient air.

Abstract: An improved grain dryer is presented having a mixed-flow heating section having a plurality of inlet ducts connected to the plenum that facilitate air flow into the grain column from the heated and pressurized heat plenum, and a plurality of exhaust ducts connected to openings in the exterior wall that facilitate air flow out of the grain column. A tempering section is positioned below the heating section and includes solid walls that reduce air flow through the grain column. A cooling section is positioned below the tempering section and includes perforated walls that facilitate air flow through the grain column and into the plenum. In use, heated air is forced outward through the mixed-flow heating section heating and drying the grain and air is pulled through the cross-flow cooling section cooling the grain. Air pulled through the cross-flow cooling section is recycled into the mixed-flow heating section thereby recycling heat.

Abstract: A grain dryer unload system is presented that facilitates operation of a discharge system independent of a metering system. A motor connects to an axle that connects to the discharge system, which may be a drag chain, a belt or an auger. The axle also connects to a metering system. A clutch mechanism is connected to an end of the axle and is positioned between the discharge system and the metering system. When the clutch mechanism is in an engaged position, the motor simultaneously operates the metering system and the discharge system. However, when the clutch mechanism is in a disengaged position, the motor operates the discharge system while the metering system does not operate. This arrangement facilitates easier cleaning of the grain dryer without introducing the fines into the grain or a connected grain storage device.

Abstract: A modular octagon burner has a plurality of fuel manifold modules. Each of the fuel manifold modules have a mounting flange on each end that angles inwardly to permit the fuel manifold modules to form an octagon when connected together. Inner and outer mixing plates are connected to the fuel manifold modules and to one another to form a combustion region.

Abstract: A grain dryer having a mixed-flow heating section, a tempering transition section, and a vacuum-cooled crossflow cooling section. A fan positioned on the end of the dryer creates a negative pressure in the cooling plenum that pulls air through the grain, warming the air while cooling the grain. This warmed air is pulled through the fan and then passed through a heater to bring it to appropriate drying temperature. This air is then pushed into a heating plenum, where it passes through a mixed-flow grain column, drying the grain, and then exhausted to ambient air.