Shivvers Grain Drying Machines
The #1 continuous counter-flow drying systems in the world
For over 40 years, farmers have trusted Shivvers’ Counter-Flow Drying technology to not only dry, but also preserve the special qualities in their grain. An added benefit for them has been in using the industry's most cost-effective grain drying systems.
Shivvers Legacy Series grain drying machines use the same continuous Counter-Flow Drying technology as our Performance Systems, but on a smaller scale. As well, Legacy Series machines enable the flexibility to combine components into a dynamic system to meet your needs at minimal investment. Whether a smaller or larger operation, there’s a Shivvers Grain Drying System that’s right for you.
HOW COUNTER-FLOW DRYING WORKS
As an informed grower of quality grain, you surely want to keep up on the most up-to-date methods of caring for your product. Once your grain is harvested, it is extremely important that it is dried to the proper moisture content before transferring it to storage.
The method you use to dry that grain is as important as the method of harvesting. Shivvers wants you to understand the method known as "Counter-Flow Drying."
Most grain dryers on the market today use the method known as "Cross-Flow Drying". In this method, air is forced horizontally (crosswise) through a column of grain moving in a downward direction. This "cross" flow of air to the column of grain is where this method gets its name. The column of grain is usually about 12-14 inches thick. The air is forced from one side of the column, through the grain (raising the temperature of the grain rapidly) and then the heated air is exhausted into the air without being completely saturated.
In "Counter-Flow Drying", the air is moving upward (counter to) the grain that is moving downward, thus its name "counter" flow. This is accomplished by forcing the heated drying air up through a perforated drying floor inside a bin, through a bed of grain at least three to eight feet deep and exhausted out the top of the bin completely saturated. The advantages of the "Counter-Flow Drying" are efficiency, uniformity and higher test weight.
EFFICIENCY
Since the heated air is in contact with the grain for a longer period of time (due to greater depth versus a thin column) more of the heat is used from the heated air to remove moisture before it is exhausted. This makes for higher efficiency.
UNIFORMITY
Since the grain is moving toward the heat source and then removed when dry, all the grain receives the same amount of heated air (not just heated from one side). This results in uniformity of drying of all the grain.
HIGHER TEST WEIGHT
Because the grain is in contact with the heated air (Retention Time) for a longer period of time at a lower temperature, this results in a higher test weight with the removal of the same amount of moisture.
Counter-Flow Drying is an innovation of Shivvers Manufacturing, Inc., the Grain Drying Specialists, as a "common sense" method of drying that valuable grain you worked so hard to produce.
GREATER RETENTION TIME
Retention time is the duration grain is held in a dryer or drying tank when trying to achieve both targeted moisture content and kernel quality. A Shivvers Performance System, using Counter-Flow Drying, processes the same amount of grain as other drying methods, but is able to retain each kernel in the drying bin longer. This not only achieves a more precisely targeted moisture content, it almost eliminates stress on kernels and uses energy much more efficiently.
Because Cross-Flow dryers receive the same heated air across the column, moisture control of existing grain will vary with moisture of entering grain, i.e. moisture control of exisiting grain is not good.
Common cross-flow dryers process grain in depths averaging only 12 to 16 inches, taking from ½ hour to two hours for grain to enter and exit the dryer. In this method, grain is subjected to very high temperatures over short periods. The result is more cracking and less optimized moisture content.
On the other hand, average grain depth using continuous Counter-Flow Drying with a Shivvers Performance System is four to ten feet! On average, grain is allowed 12 hours before exiting the drying bin. Since a larger volume of grain receives the heat inputted to the bin, each kernel is dried more slowly as energy is more fully utilized. The results are dramatically higher test weights with added profit due to less energy usage.
Independent tests conducted at Michigan State University, Purdue University, and Iowa State University confirm what Shivvers has always known – Counter-Flow Drying is superior to cross-flow drying; by as much as 2-4 pounds per bushel test weights.
THE SHIVVERS ADVANTAGE
Fuel savings using a Shivvers system along with higher quality grain assessments can bring a quicker return on your investment.
CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE
Shivvers designs and builds its drying equipment at one location, so we're confident in how each equipment component will perform, whether individually or within a system. When you purchase a Shivvers Performance System, an authorized Shivvers representative will visit your farm to verify the installation. At approval, you’ll receive an operations manual with a Certification of Drying Capacity. Shivvers is the only grain drying manufacturer to certify your capacities in writing. You'll gain the peace of mind in knowing that we stand behind our equipment 100%.
