Bin Monitors Can Add Moisture To Dry Grain

Bin Monitors Can Add Moisture To Dry Grain CROP STORAGE Miscellaneous Tony Wendler owner of Farm Shop Manufacturing originally created the End Zone Grain Temp Guard system for natural air drying of corn and soybeans Wendler wondered if he could use fan controls to add humidity rather than dry air to his overly dry soybeans thereby raising their moisture content and adding weight     Using two 10-hp fans on a half-full bin of soybeans he managed to raise the moisture content from 8 to almost 13 percent in less than three weeks of spring weather     “I had temp and humidity monitoring inside the grain so I could see equilibrium humidity was gradually increasing ” Wendler says “It was a money-maker to be able to add moisture to the beans ”     He explains that on average raising moisture levels from 10 to 13 percent in 20 000 bushels of soybeans equates to an extra 900 bushels worth well over $15 000     The End Zone Grain Temp Guard is built to be compatible with existing blowers and fans using a specially designed relay added to the motor’s magnetic starter to manipulate the coil     Monitors measure temperature and humidity to track grain conditioning High and low temp/humidity warnings with audible and visual alarms detect changes in target values Fans are programmed to run only when the outside air is between the programmed limits     Farm Shop Mfg supplies equilibrium charts to identify ideal settings for both humidity and temperature levels     Sensors are hung in various locations inside a bin on lengths of rebar mounted to sidewalls or ladder supports Cables connecting the sensors to monitors come in pre-set lengths of 45 to 150 ft     “It’s best to position the sensors looking for moisture fronts moving from floor to roof ” Wendler says “In larger 42 to 48-ft bins we’ll split them into pie shapes for risk of hot spots Mount rebar off the back wall monitoring in thirds placing sensors in a corkscrew pattern so each one monitors different areas and heights It’s also best to mount the monitors close to the exterior door and ladder area to conserve cable length ”     Control systems and hardware are built and assembled in Armstrong while cables are manufactured in Switzerland Kits include everything required and are designed to be farmer installed     Dual temp alarm system monitors retail for $1 500 while fan controls including temperature and humidity monitors sell for $2 300     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Tony Wendler Farm Shop Mfg 1042 570 Ave Armstrong Iowa 50514 ph 712-520-6051; sales@FarmShopMfg com; www farmshopmfg com

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