COVER-STORY a basic plus emergency spare parts kits, manuals, full training. Depending on the country, there can be up to 24/7 availability of staff for assistance. Together with the newly supplied mobile grain dryers, Mecmar supplies an emergency basic kit which includes consumable spares that are more likely to be needed in short-term. What is more, every time that Mecmar supplies a mobile grain dryer, in some countries, full training for local operators and technicians is provided, above and beyond, after sale service is readily available 24/7. In some cases, going further, the company arranges video service sessions, connecting the farmer directly with support staff at head offices, thousands of kilometres away. The support staff is able to perform the same service operation on a farmer’s machine as effectively as Mecmar operators on the machines onsite. Mecmar gives warranty on its machines. The grain dryers, which utilise state-of-the-art drying technology, are robust and have a lifetime of more than 30 to 40 years.
Dos and don’ts of purchasing mobile dryers There is no worse experience for a farming business than buying wrong equipment, then experiencing downtime and loss of production. Thus, Mecmar always advises commercial farmers to keep in mind the following dos and don’ts when purchasing mobile dryers: • A suitable tractor for a PTO mobile grain dryer should be chosen; • The dryer should have suitable power (typically between 15 and 45kW, depending on the size); • Avoid buying a mobile grain dryer which is too small or too big for daily production. Ensure that a correct size is chosen; • Avoid choosing a screen with big holes for any type of grain (i.e. for drying rapeseed a screen perforation of 1,5mm is recommended). “Basically, we work hand in hand with all our customers to help them purchase the mobile grain dryer which suits better their needs.”
Contented Rwandan Farmers Commend Mecmar Mobile Dryers A farmer in near Kigali
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Constant improvement ensures product relevance Mecmar S.p.A. is constantly improving its mobile grain dryers to ensure optimal performance. This is manifest in its grain drying process, as Marcolongo demonstrates: “We use all the heat generated by the burner, and we keep recirculating the grains with a system that has evolved year by year. This guarantees a homogeneous drying of the whole batch, even though the grains loaded at the beginning have different moisture levels. “The dryer will give homogeneous drying grains at the discharge. The dryer automatically includes a cleaning effect so that the grains come out dried and cleaned.” Mecmar’s dryers have always been constantly evolving. There has a vast difference when one compares the first dryers manufactured in the 1970s and the current models. One thing which stands out is that all parts have changed. Based on continuous feedback from clients, Mecmar includes further customisations. There has been vast changes since the first dryers were manufactured the 1970s. All parts have been changed since. Based on the continuous feedback from the customers, the team of engineers includes further customisations, says Marcolongo. “Our engineers keep working on developments concerning extending the life of mechanical moving parts and improving energy efficiency of the machine. We are under testing phases and some news will be released soon.”
’MECMAR mobile drying machines are very convenient because, these days, with climate, a farmer cannot easily predict the weather pattern to dry grain. With the machines, drying is efficient and effective, resulting in increased harvest and high cereal quality. We also eliminate labour costs on drying grain.”
with purchasing MECMAR drying machines to improve grain production in the country. Certainly, this will improve the standard of living and result in economic growth. I also appeal to the manufacturing industry in Italy so that they have their agents here present to enable farmers have easy access to spare parts.’’
“By purchasing a mobile dryer, the farmer has a key ready machine that performs loading, drying, cooling, cleaning and discharge all-inone, only a tractor (or el. Power), diesel and grains are required for doing the job.”
“We used to spend a lot on labour costs to dry grain in the sun for a long time. This resulted in accumulated labour costs. Drying in the sun is cumbersome, involving spreading and collecting grain when it rains and put it in storage facilities while they are not dried. When repeated several times, this is costly, tiresome and boring.”
Gatete Augustine – a Farmer at Kayonza sector, Eastern Rwanda ‘’Farmers here are extremely happy because we have a machine which dries our maize produce
just right within our neighbourhood. Previously, we used to suffer huge losses using the traditional method of drying maize in the sun. These days we just bring our maize to the machine and, within a short time it dry ready for the market or for safe custody in stores. Most importantly, we are happy that our produce is fetching a good price.
“MECMAR drying machines are also handy as they are mobile. They can serve several farmers a day drying tons and tons of maize, rice and other crops.” ‘’My appeal to the Government, banks and other financial institutions is to seriously consider financing cooperatives and individual farmers
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“Personally, I am looking forward to working closely with MECMAR mobile drier and get more value from my grain. “‘’My advice to fellow farmers is to get up and use effectively this technology to avoid unnecessarily loss during the post-harvest period.’’