Abstract: A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly through which grain may flow. The grain dryer further includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor, the grain shelf floor has a hopper opening defined therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling grain flow within a column of a grain dryer is disclosed. The grain dryer includes a metering roll positioned to contact grain advancing out of a discharge opening of the column. The grain dryer further includes a regulator member which is movable between a flow regulating position and a trash escape position. The regulator member contacts either the metering roll, or grain supported by the metering roll when the regulator member is positioned in the flow regulating position. The regulator member is spaced from the metering roll by a distance sufficient to enable a trash object to advance between the regulator member and the metering roll when the regulator is positioned in the trash escape position. A method of controlling grain flow within a column of a grain dryer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A grain dryer which includes a grain column through which grain may flow is disclosed. The grain column has a discharge opening. The grain dryer further includes a metering roll positioned to contact grain advancing out of the discharge opening of the grain column and a grain support member interposed between the metering roll and the discharge opening, the grain support member defining a substantially planar top surface. Rotation of the metering roll causes grain to advance out of the discharge opening, over the substantially planar top surface, and into contact with the metering roll. An angle .THETA. is defined between a line L1 defined by the substantially planar top surface and a horizontal line HL which intersects the line L1. The angle .THETA. is greater than or equal to 0.degree., but less than or equal to 30.degree..

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling grain flow within a column of a grain dryer is disclosed. The grain dryer includes a metering roll positioned to contact grain advancing out of a discharge opening of the column. The grain dryer further includes a regulator member which is movable between a flow regulating position and a trash escape position. The regulator member contacts either the metering roll, or grain supported by the metering roll when the regulator member is positioned in the flow regulating position. The regulator member is spaced from the metering roll by a distance sufficient to enable a trash object to advance between the regulator member and the metering roll when the regulator is positioned in the trash escape position. A method of controlling grain flow within a column of a grain dryer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A grain dryer which includes a grain column through which grain may flow is disclosed. The grain column has a discharge opening. The grain dryer further includes a metering roll positioned to contact grain advancing out of the discharge opening of the grain column and a grain support member interposed between the metering roll and the discharge opening. The grain support member being movable between a grain support position and a cleaning position. The grain dryer yet further includes a transport bin positioned below the metering roll. The grain support member directs grain flowing out of the discharge opening to the metering roll when the grain support member is positioned in the grain support position. The grain support member directs grain positioned on the grain support member to advance under the metering roll and into the transport bin when the grain support member is positioned in the cleaning position.

Abstract: A grain dryer which includes a grain column through which grain may flow is disclosed. The grain column includes a left lateral discharge sidewall, a right lateral discharge sidewall, a lower discharge surface and an upper discharge surface which collectively define a discharge opening. The lower discharge surface is spaced apart from the upper discharge surface by a distance equal to D1. The distance D1 is greater to or equal to 5.0 inches. The grain dryer further includes a metering roll positioned to contact grain advancing out of the discharge opening of the grain column. The metering roll has a vane diameter equal to VD. The vane diameter VD is greater to or equal to 6.0 inches.

Abstract: A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly thereof through which grain may flow. The grain further includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor. In addition, the grain dryer includes a floor sweep assembly positioned vertically above the grain shelf floor. Moreover, the grain dryer includes a motor for rotating the floor sweep assembly about a central axis.

Abstract: A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly through which grain may flow. The grain dryer also includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor. The grain dryer further includes a floor sweep assembly positioned vertically above the grain shelf floor, the floor sweep assembly having (i) a support member, and (ii) a wiper positioned relative to the support member such that, when the floor sweep assembly is viewed in a plan view, the support member defines an intersection with the wiper. The grain dryer also includes a motor for rotating the floor sweep assembly about a central axis. In addition, the grain dryer includes a spacer attached to both the support member and the wiper in a manner which causes the support member to be spaced apart from the wiper.

Abstract: A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly through which grain may flow. The grain dryer further includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor, the grain shelf floor has a hopper opening defined therein.

Abstract: A control system (80-1, 80-2) is provided for a grain dryer (10) having a path (22, 24) along which grain is conveyed from an entry opening (28) between first (12, 14) and second (18, 20) walls provided with second openings through which drying air can flow. A source (16) on the side of the first wall opposite the grain provides a flow of air through the first wall, through the grain and through the second wall to dry the grain. The grain dryer (10) further comprises metering rolls (30, 32) between the walls (12, 18, 14, 20) adjacent the end opposite the entry opening (28) to control the movement of the grain along the path (22, 24). The control system includes a first moisture probe (80-1) positioned remote from the metering rolls (30, 32), a second moisture probe (80-2) positioned adjacent the metering rolls (30, 32), and a microcomputer (150).