Get The Best Results From Your Pedestal Ventilation

Grain pedestal cooling system in empty grain store

Our Pile-Dry Pedestals have been trusted by farmers for over 50 years to cool stored grain quickly and efficiently. Designed to deliver strong, effective airflow from the outset, they’re a simple and proven way to protect crop quality.

1. Use the right fans

For the best performance, use Martin Lishman Pile-Dry Fans. Although any pedestal fan can be used, Pile-Dry Fans are designed to work hand-in-hand with our pedestals and deliver the airflow needed to condition deep grain effectively.

Learn more about our Pile-Dry Fans

2. Use enough fans

The number of fans directly affects conditioning. As a minimum, use enough to cover one full row of pedestals, moving them across the store as cooling progresses. For the best results, use one fan on every pedestal.

3. Keep airflow consistent

Choose whether your fans will suck or blow, then keep every fan running in the same direction. Mixing airflow directions can significantly reduce performance.

4. Run fans after filling

Run your fans continuously for the first 72 hours after filling the store. This keeps air moving through the crop at a critical stage and helps remove heat from harvesting and loading.

5. Keep fans clean

Clean fans deliver better airflow, so check them regularly and blow out any dust or debris from the body, impeller and motor cooling fan.

6. Make the most of suitable conditions

If controlling your fans manually, make sure to only run the fans while ambient conditions are suitable for cooling, i.e. cooler than the grain temperature.

7. Act Quickly

Turn your fans on as soon as ambient conditions are suitable. Delaying this can allow condensation to build up, while switching fans off too early can create the same problem. Keep them running for as long as conditions remain suitable.

8. Don’t leave fans running

Avoid running fans continuously throughout the season. Not only does this waste energy, but changing ambient conditions can cause grain temperatures to fluctuate, reducing cooling effectiveness and affecting grain quality.

9. Always fit an end cap

Whenever a fan is removed, fit an end cap to prevent grain or anything else from entering the pedestal and restricting airflow. And a bonus tip, if a pedestal is accidentally filled with grain, use a vacuum to suck the grain out.

10. Automate your cooling

Automatic fan control takes the guesswork and manual effort out of crop cooling by operating fans only when conditions are suitable. This helps reduce unnecessary energy use, saves time and maintains more consistent crop temperatures.

A wide range of control options are available, from simple temperature-based controllers through to fully wireless systems with remote monitoring and automatic fan control.

Learn More About Our Automatic Control Systems

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