Mecmar driers deliver automated, cost-effective solutions for modern farming in the UK

UK – Mecmar, an international leader in the design and manufacture of grain dryers, has celebrated farmers for making it the preferred choice for streamlining their grain drying processes.

According to John McArthur, Managing Director of McArthur BDC, there is a distinct shift away from using Mecmar driers as standalone machines, with customers increasingly seeking fully automated systems that integrate grain drying and handling for greater efficiency and reduced labor costs.

“As farmers look to do more with less labor, the demand for automated systems is growing,” McArthur explained.

“By combining Mecmar driers with Skandia Elevator grain handling equipment, we can deliver cost-effective, automated grain drying solutions that meet the needs of modern farming operations.”

An added attraction of Mecmar driers is their strong resale value, which helps mitigate depreciation costs. McArthur noted that in uncertain times, this resale value allows farmers to recover capital more easily if their business plans change.

Another key factor driving Mecmar’s popularity is its flexibility. McArthur noted that mobile grain driers, in particular, can be adapted to existing infrastructure or incorporated into new Greenfield projects, offering farmers versatile and scalable solutions.

This was evident in several recent installations for the 2024 harvest.

Thoresby Farming, part of the Thoresby Estate covering 3,400 hectares, needed to replace a lost drying facility ahead of the 2024 harvest. After researching potential solutions, farm manager Will Baker turned to McArthur BDC for expert advice and support.

“We worked closely with McArthur BDC to design a new drying and storage system. We modified an existing shed and installed Skandia grain handling equipment, including intake conveyors, to work alongside the automatic Mecmar S 43 T batch drier,” Baker explained.

The Mecmar drier integrates seamlessly with the Skandia equipment to automate grain loading, drying, and cooling.

An aspirator cleaner removes dust and chaff, and once the grain is dried, it is unloaded onto Skandia conveyors and transported to the grain store. This streamlined system allows Thoresby Farming to meet its drying requirements with minimal labor.

John Bruce of Balmanno Farm, located near Perth, faced the challenge of replacing an aging and labor-intensive grain drying system. His previous setup required constant monitoring and multiple stages to process and store grain.

“I wanted a more efficient system. After consulting with McArthur BDC, I decided to build a new 2,000-tonne capacity storage shed and install an automatic Mecmar D 24 T with touchscreen controls and an aspirator cleaner,”Bruce said.

The new system uses an indoor trench conveyor to fill the Mecmar drier in just 17 minutes. Once the grain is dried, it is automatically unloaded onto Skandia chain and flight conveyors, which transport it to the grain store. Bruce noted that the new system drastically reduced the labor required, and the ability to monitor the drier remotely via his phone made operations more efficient.

Furthermore, Jack Carnegy of Balnamoon Farms in Angus had been using a Mecmar D 24 T as a standalone machine for three years but sought to upgrade his grain drying and storage capabilities due to the labor-intensive nature of his previous system.

“I wanted to utilize the full potential of the Mecmar drier,” Carnegy said. “After discussions with McArthur BDC, I decided to build a new 3,500-tonne capacity grain store with Skandia grain handling equipment.”

The new system includes an outdoor Skandia trench intake that feeds the Mecmar drier. Once the grain is dried and cooled, it is automatically unloaded onto an inclined Skandia conveyor, which fills the new grain store.

Carnegy found that the automated system not only reduced labor requirements but also allowed for more efficient grain handling during harvest.

John McArthur emphasized that each of these farmers faced unique challenges and requirements, but all shared a common goal: to dry and store their grain as quickly, safely, and efficiently as possible.

“While the solutions we provided may appear similar, each one is tailored to the specific needs of the farm,” McArthur said.

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