A hay bale dryer features a support frame inside of which there is delimited at least one bale space and at least one manifold carrying a set of aeration spears movable between a deployed position penetrating the bale space and a retracted position withdrawn therefrom. The manifold is moved between the positions by way of an actuator driven linkage, and the aeration spears comprise hollow elongated bodies of tapered thickness toward their distal ends for more effective penetration of the hay bales. A manufacturing method uses a hydraulic press to produce the hollow elongated bodies from lengths of originally cylindrically pipe. Horizontal feeding tables and upright feeding racks feature displaceable bale movers for moving queued hay bales along one or more queuing lanes into one or more bale dryers.

A system of connecting a stiffener to the sidewall of a grain bin using a stud bolt having a first threaded end, a second threaded end and a feature positioned between the first end and a second end. A sealing member is positioned over the first end of the stud bolt, which in one case is a metallic washer with an affixed compressible sealing member. The first end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the sidewall and an inner nut is placed over the first end inside the sidewall. As the inner nut is tightened, the feature is pulled toward the exterior surface of the grain bin thereby causing the sealing member to form a seal with the exterior surface of the grain bin. The second end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the stiffener which is tightened onto the stud bolt.

In an agricultural product storage system, product is stored in a bin having a condition sensor associated therewith and a conditioning device for conditioning the stored product when activated, for example an aeration fan. A controller in communication with the sensor and the conditioning device, operates the condition device in response to the sensed condition of the product according a selected one of a plurality of different control functions defining different control parameters of the conditioning device. The controller selects among the different control functions based upon the changing state of the of the storage bin.

An assembly for saturating or aerating a medium with fluid. At least one hollow cylinder having gates and vents embedded within a grain mass. A target section of grain mass is identified and the gates and vents activated to provide influent flow to the target section in both vertical and horizontal directions.

A grain storage bin includes a cylindrical wall formed by a plurality of panels arranged in rows with a bottom edge of a first row bolted to a top edge of a second lower row. At each joint the bottom edge of the first upper row is overlapped with and outside of the outer surface of top edge of the second lower row and the bottom edge is fastened to the top edge by bolts carrying spacers as to define a first channel along the joint for passage of air. A cover strip overlies the channel and extends from an upper edge of the strip at the inner surface of the first panel above the channel to a lower edge of the strip which is fastened to the top edge so as to define a second channel so that air can pass between the interior and the exterior through the first and second channels while the particulate material is prevented from escaping through the first channel by the cover strip.

A flexible portable silo for storing grains and bulk materials, comprising a flexible cylindrical wall and a flexible conical roof made of a flexible, foldable, tension bearing sheet membrane, and a single pressure bearing post, with outriggers installed at the top of the post. The flexible cylindrical wall and conical roof are then draped over the outriggers and post and filled with grain or other bulk material.

A system of connecting a stiffener to the sidewall of a grain bin using a stud bolt having a first threaded end, a second threaded end and a feature positioned between the first end and a second end. A sealing member is positioned over the first end of the stud bolt, which in one case is a metallic washer with an affixed compressible sealing member. The first end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the sidewall and an inner nut is placed over the first end inside the sidewall. As the inner nut is tightened, the feature is pulled toward the exterior surface of the grain bin thereby causing the sealing member to form a seal with the exterior surface of the grain bin. The second end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the stiffener which is tightened onto the stud bolt.

A floor support system for a grain bin having an elevated floor formed of a plurality of planks and supported by a plurality of floor supports is presented. The system includes a plurality of support members and a plurality of holding members. The support members are formed of an elongated member that provides structural strength and rigidity. The holding members fit over the support members and engage the upper end of the floor supports. The support members and holding members are quickly and easily installed by placing the support members on the floor supports and placing the holding members over the support members. Once the support members and holding members are in place on the floor supports, the elevated floor is assembled over the holding members and support members that provide support to the elevated floor when spanning increased distances between adjacent floor supports.

An integrated grain drying/storage/regulating bin with a built-in bellows and an externally disposed compartment comprises an integrated bin body, a grain distributing device, an external compartment outside the integrated bin body, an internal bellows inside the integrated bin body, a heating device, a refrigerating device, a humidifying device, an air flow distributing device, a centrifugal fan, and an air flow control valve. The merits of the present invention are: (1) being able to prevent the occurrence of moisture condensation; (2) facilitating production cost reductions; (3) uniformly heating and drying the grains in the bin; (4) being capable of preventing the filter for the grain layers in the bin from blockage or short circuit caused by spontaneous grain grading; (5) being able to implement low temperature or quasi-low temperature storage; and (6) being capable of enhancing grain toughness, lowering breakage rate, and increasing production yield and product quality.

In an agricultural product storage system, product is stored in a bin having a condition sensor associated therewith and a conditioning device for conditioning the stored product when activated, for example an aeration fan. A controller in communication with the sensor and the conditioning device, operates the condition device in response to the sensed condition of the product according a selected one of a plurality of different control functions defining different control parameters of the conditioning device. The controller selects among the different control functions based upon the changing state of the of the storage bin.