An air conditioning system and methods of use regulate a moisture content of an agricultural product in a grain bin. The system receives headspace air from the headspace of the grain bin, which generally has a higher moisture content than ambient air. The system further receives ambient air and mixes the headspace air and the ambient air into a ratio comprising a target moisture content. The air mixture is provided into a grain bin plenum, where it then permeates through to agricultural product, thereby regulating the moisture. The system and method can be used to bring the agricultural product to a target moisture content that is preferred when storing the agricultural product.

An air conditioning system and methods of use regulate a moisture content of an agricultural product in a grain bin. The system receives headspace air from the headspace of the grain bin, which generally has a higher moisture content than ambient air. The system further receives ambient air and mixes the headspace air and the ambient air into a ratio comprising a target moisture content. The air mixture is provided into a grain bin plenum, where it then permeates through to agricultural product, thereby regulating the moisture. The system and method can be used to bring the agricultural product to a target moisture content that is preferred when storing the agricultural product.

A control system for controlling a shared variable frequency drive for operating more than one mechanical systems of a grain bin. The control system includes at least one processor circuit that is configured to operate the shared VFD in both a first mode, wherein operating in the first mode results in operating a fan assembly of the grain bin, and a second mode, wherein operating in the second mode results in operating an unload sweep assembly within the grain bin.

A control system for controlling a shared variable frequency drive for operating more than one mechanical systems of a grain bin. The control system includes at least one processor circuit that is configured to operate the shared VFD in both a first mode, wherein operating in the first mode results in operating a fan assembly of the grain bin, and a second mode, wherein operating in the second mode results in operating an unload sweep assembly within the grain bin.

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.

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.

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 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 method for producing seed corn from the corn plants, for use in growing subsequent corn plants, includes measuring a moisture content of corn kernels on ears of the corn plants in the field and removing, by a combine harvester, the ears of corn from the corn plants when the moisture content satisfies a threshold moisture content. The method then includes separating the corn kernels from cobs of the ears of corn onboard the combine harvester and collecting the separated corn kernels for use as seed corn, whereby one or more subsequent corn plants can be grown from the collected corn kernels.

A method for producing seed corn from the corn plants, for use in growing subsequent corn plants, includes measuring a moisture content of corn kernels on ears of the corn plants in the field and removing, by a combine harvester, the ears of corn from the corn plants when the moisture content satisfies a threshold moisture content. The method then includes separating the corn kernels from cobs of the ears of corn onboard the combine harvester and collecting the separated corn kernels for use as seed corn, whereby one or more subsequent corn plants can be grown from the collected corn kernels.