Grain Dryer Solution for 15–30 Ton Batch Drying

Applications

• On-farm grain drying centers
• Rice mills and paddy drying stations
• Grain depots and storage preparation lines
• Small to medium grain processing plants
• Cooperatives needing 1–3 sets of grain dryers

Materials

• Rice / paddy
• Wheat
• Corn
• Other similar grains with comparable bulk density

The 5H-D series uses vertical multi-channel cross-flow drying, while the 5H-F series removes upper and lower augers to further reduce grain damage. The 5H-30E adopts a mixed-flow design for higher drying uniformity at 30-ton scale.

• Vertical multi-channel thin-layer drying for uniform heating and high efficiency
• Strong lower body with high-strength steel and baked paint finish for corrosion resistance
• Double-bucket elevator with low-speed operation to reduce grain breakage and blockages
• PLC control system with large touch screen and optional remote monitoring
• Multiple clean heat sources: diesel, natural gas or biomass pellet burner
• High-pressure centrifugal fans for 30% more air volume than traditional axial fans
• Robust components: imported bearings, hard-tooth gear motors and wear-resistant auger blades

The drying section adopts a vertical multi-channel design and thin-layer drying principle. Grain flows through narrow channels so that every kernel is exposed to hot air uniformly, improving drying efficiency and moisture consistency. The compact structure offers high strength, no dead corners and minimal residue, helping you keep the system clean and reduce cross-contamination between batches.

The tempering section side plates are formed and welded as one piece, and internal tie rods follow a “mesh-style” assembly. This greatly increases structural strength and resistance to deformation under thermal cycling and full-load conditions, ensuring long-term dimensional stability and reliable grain flow.

The elevator uses a double-bucket structure. The tail roller adopts a cage-type design to reduce grain crushing, with a large 400 mm diameter for smooth rotation. Each bucket can carry up to 3.35 L of grain. By keeping line speed below 2.0 m/s, the system maintains sufficient lifting capacity while effectively reducing backflow and clogging caused by excessive speed. This design lowers grain breakage and supports stable throughput.

The electrical control cabinet is built around a PLC program, with key components sourced from international brands for reliability. A large touch screen works together with traditional push buttons, making operation intuitive for both new and experienced operators. System data can be transmitted remotely, and, based on user requirements, remote operation via mobile devices can be enabled so operators can monitor and adjust drying parameters even when away from the machine.

The system uses high-power centrifugal fans with significantly higher air pressure and volume—up to 30% more than conventional axial fans. Depending on the model, fan power ranges from 5.5 to 11 kW. The increased airflow improves heat transfer, shortens drying time and increases overall throughput, especially in humid conditions or high-moisture crops.

A rotary paddle level sensor is used for grain level detection. This type of level instrument is durable, has high reliability and is less affected by dust and grain impacts. It helps prevent overfilling and empty running, protecting the equipment and ensuring consistent process control.

All models use hard-tooth surface gear motors. Compared with small-tooth or helical gear motors, hard-tooth reducers offer higher safety factors, greater overload capacity and longer service life. This improves reliability of augers, elevators and circulation devices, particularly under continuous 24-hour operation.

Auger blades are formed in a single stamping process, ensuring high strength and toughness. Combined with low rotation speeds, the augers move grain gently without damaging kernels, which is especially important for rice and paddy to maintain head rice yield and market value.

Key rotating parts use imported bearings from well-known Japanese brands such as NSK and FYH. These bearings are larger and stronger than typical domestic alternatives, providing smoother operation, higher overall strength and longer service life under dusty, high-temperature conditions.

A large distributing disc at the top of the drying section forces paddy to spread evenly across the drying channels. This reduces bridging and ensures uniform loading, which is critical for consistent drying quality. The disc is heat-treated for wear resistance and long-term reliability.

Competitive Configuration Comparison (30-Ton Example)

The grain dryer can be matched with different heat sources including diesel burners, natural-gas burners and biomass pellet furnaces. You can choose based on local fuel prices, environmental regulations and subsidy policies to balance operating cost and emissions.

Auxiliary Equipment

• Receiving pit
• First bucket elevator
• Cleaning screen
• Second bucket elevator
• Infeed scraper conveyor
• Pneumatic gate into dryer

Process Flow

Grain is first unloaded into the below-ground receiving pit and lifted by the first elevator. After passing through the cleaning screen, it is lifted again by the second elevator, then conveyed by a scraper conveyor to the dryer inlet. A pneumatic gate controls feeding into the dryer to match the set capacity and prevent overloading.

Single-Unit Recommendation

For users needing only 1–2 grain dryers, we recommend a layout where the elevator is installed in a pit, minimizing civil work height and simplifying layout.

Multi-Unit Recommendation

For users operating multiple dryers in parallel, shared receiving pits, cleaning screens and elevators can be configured to feed each dryer, improving overall utilization and reducing investment per ton of capacity.

Type: 20-ton vertical multi-channel cross-flow grain dryer.
Suitable for mid-sized drying centers that need higher throughput while keeping grain damage low. It retains the low-speed elevator and centrifugal fan combination to balance drying speed and kernel integrity.

Type: 30-ton vertical multi-channel cross-flow grain dryer.
A high-capacity model for large farms and grain depots. The 30-ton design maximizes the benefits of the strong base structure, large elevator and high-pressure fans to deliver stable performance during peak harvest periods.

Type: 20-ton vertical multi-channel dryer without upper and lower augers.
By removing augers in the upper and lower sections, the 5H-F series further reduces mechanical grain damage, making it a strong choice for high-value rice and paddy where head rice rate is critical.

Type: 30-ton vertical multi-channel dryer without upper and lower augers.
Combines 30-ton capacity with an auger-free design at the top and bottom of the tower, minimizing kernel breakage and improving overall rice quality at high throughput.

Type: 30-ton mixed-flow grain dryer without upper and lower augers.
The mixed-flow structure improves air distribution and drying uniformity across the full cross-section of the grain column. This model is especially suitable for users focusing on moisture uniformity and energy efficiency at 30-ton scale.