Drying Canola

[SASKFARMER3]

Southpaw, hopefully you have gas, and not propane.

Usually spend $5000.00/year extra on propane/year over gas. We usually put close to 100,000bu/year through our dryer. Putting gas in isn't an option Saskenergy says to many dryers on the line already.

Dried 14% canola today 1.5hrs batch drying to 9.5%. 160 heat, 15 minutes cooling down to 70.

[redbaron]

southpaw we also have a Vertec drier. have dried canola as high as 20% not in one shot. Run it through twice. 15% is very doable. We have used heat as high as 180-190 with no problem. We keep it moving and do not cool. We use all tiers for drying and use aeration in the bins to cool and bring down the last part with the hot grain. works very well. Did a lot this fall just like that. Just get it harvested.

[Hopperbin]

Well I have over a week yet to get my new dryer, problem no one can answer is will I get it then or 6 weeks from now, that delay could be a bad thing right now. I had canola heating before and when I was turning it, it was like giving a fire oxygen. Putting it in a airation bin was the answer. So I am guessing Canola growers data is based on canola that is not this cured so could extend the safe storage time plus with air can extend longer yet. If snow in the sample I think outside pile is best for temporary storage

[nicolaas]

have dried 20000 bu of 12.5 - 16.5% the last few days. I set it at 160F, continuos dryer, dry down to 10.5%, and put it in aeration bin at approx 30 degC. Turn on fan and cool down, and it will dry last 1 % as it cools. Maximize your dryer, use all the teirs for drying, and aeration bins for cooling.

[BreadWinner]

Just dried 2000 bus of 17% moisture canola farm fans cf/ab270. Set plenum temp at 170F and dry time 2.0hrs cool 15 min. Came out at 9.0% and 14deg. Have always dryed canola at this temp and have never damaged it.Some say you can go as high as 185F but never tried it.

[BreadWinner]

I forgot to mention that I am on propane and it is costing about $.30 per bushel.

[wd9]

Something rarely talked about is the effect of oil content on safe storing. As the oil content goes up there is less meal to contain the moisture and the risk of heating goes up. I don't believe there is a chart for that.

9.5 is not necessarily dry.

[mhartman]

We don't have a safe storage chart for canola in Canada that includes oil content as a factor. And yes it does affect storability. The Aussies do have some charts thought. Check out:
http://sgrl.csiro.au/aptc2003/11_cassells_etal.pdf

[haveapulse]

6600 Vertec Drier is PTO now, does anyone know the size of electric motor needed to convert to electric?