Enclosed mixed-flow grain dryer

The system of 2, wherein when in the heat and cool mode:

• higher temperature heated air is moved into the upper drying section from an upper heat plenum;
• lower temperature heated air is moved into middle drying section from the lower heat plenum;
• and
• ambient temperature air is moved into the lower drying section.

The system of 2, wherein when in the full heat mode:

• higher temperature heated air is moved into the upper drying section from an upper heat plenum;
• lower temperature heated air is moved into the middle drying section from the lower heat plenum;
• and
• lower temperature heated air is moved into the lower drying section from the lower heat plenum.

The system of 2, further comprising:

• a recovery plenum;
• the recovery plenum configured to receive air from the middle drying section and the lower drying section;
• an upper heat plenum;
• the upper heat plenum configured to receive air from the recovery plenum;
• the upper heat plenum configured to receive heated air of a second temperature;
• wherein the upper heat plenum is configured to transmit heated air of a second temperature to the upper drying section.

A mixed flow grain dryer system, comprising:

• a grain column;
• the grain column having an upper drying section, a middle drying section, and a lower drying section;
• an intake plenum;
• the intake plenum configured to receive ambient air;
• a first airflow path from the intake plenum to the middle drying section, and
• a second airflow path from the intake plenum to the lower drying section;
• a first airflow diverter in the second airflow path;
• the first airflow diverter configured to restrict airflow in the second airflow path and thereby increase airflow through the first airflow path.

The system of 7, further comprising:

• a recovery plenum;
• the recovery plenum configured to receive air from the middle drying section and the lower drying section;
• an upper heat plenum;
• the upper heat plenum configured to receive a second heated air;
• wherein the upper heat plenum facilitates the second heated air to move through the upper drying section.

A mixed flow grain dryer system, comprising:

• a grain column;
• the grain column having an upper drying section, a middle drying section, and a lower drying section;
• a duct arrangement;
• the duct arrangement configured to receive ambient air;
• wherein the duct arrangement facilitates movement of air through the lower drying section;
• a lower heat plenum;
• the lower heat plenum configured to receive a first heated air;
• wherein the lower heat plenum facilitates movement of the first heated air through the middle drying section;
• an upper airflow diverter;
• the upper airflow diverter positioned between the lower heat plenum and the duct arrangement.
• wherein the upper airflow diverter has one or more doors;
• wherein the one or more doors are configured to direct air from the lower heat plenum into the duct arrangement when open;
• wherein the one or more doors are configured to prevent air from the lower heat plenum from entering into the duct arrangement when closed.

The system of 17, further comprising:

• a recovery plenum;
• the recovery plenum configured to receive air from the middle drying section and the lower drying section;
• an upper heat plenum;
• the upper heat plenum configured to receive a second heated air;
• wherein the upper heat plenum facilitates the second heated air to move through the upper drying section.

A mixed flow grain dryer system, comprising:

• a grain column;
• the grain column having an upper drying section, a middle drying section, and a lower drying section;
• the grain column having a set of intake ducts configured to move air into the grain column;
• the grain column having a set of exhaust ducts configured to move air out from the grain column;
• a lower heat plenum;
• wherein the lower heat plenum is configured to direct heated air through into the middle drying section through a first subset of the set of intake ducts that are fluidically connected to the lower heat plenum;
• a cool duct;
• the cool duct configured to direct ambient temperature air into the lower drying section through a second subset of the set of intake ducts that are fluidically connected to the cool duct;
• wherein the ambient temperature air flows into the cool duct through an upper airflow diverter;
• wherein the upper airflow diverter is movable between a plurality of positions to facilitate adjustment of the number of the set of intake ducts that are fluidically connected to the lower heat plenum and adjustment of the number of the set of intake ducts that are fluidically connected to the cool duct.

The system of 20, further comprising:

• a lower airflow diverter;
• wherein the ambient temperature air flows into the cool duct through the lower airflow diverter;
• wherein the lower airflow diverter includes one or more passageways;
• wherein the upper airflow diverter includes one or more passageways;
• wherein when the one or more passageways of the lower airflow diverter are opened and the one or more passageways of the upper airflow diverter are closed, the ambient temperature air is directed into the lower drying section and heated air is directed into the middle drying section;
• wherein when the one or more passageways of the lower airflow diverter are closed and the one or more passageways of the upper airflow diverter are opened heated air is directed into the lower drying section and middle drying section.

The system of 20, further comprising:

• an intake plenum;
• the intake plenum configured to receive the ambient temperature air;
• a heat duct;
• the heat duct configured to allow air to move from the intake plenum to the lower heat plenum.

The system of 20, further comprising:

• a recovery plenum
• the recovery plenum configured to receive air from the middle drying section and the lower drying section;
• a fan duct;
• an upper heat plenum;
• wherein the fan duct is configured to allow air to move from the recovery plenum to the upper heat plenum;
• wherein the upper heat plenum is configured to allow air to move from the fan duct to the upper drying section;
• and
• an exhaust plenum;
• the exhaust plenum configured to allow air to move from the upper drying section to vent outside.

A mixed flow grain dryer system, comprising:

• a forward wall;
• a rearward wall;
• side walls;
• wherein the forward wall, rearward wall and the side walls form a grain column;
• wherein the grain column extends from an upper end to a lower end;
• a plurality intake ducts extending into the grain column;
• wherein the plurality of intake ducts form a pathway for air into the grain column;
• a plurality of exhaust ducts extending into the grain column;
• wherein the plurality of exhaust ducts form a pathway for air out of the grain column;
• an unloading system;
• the unloading system operably connected to the lower end of the grain column;
• the unloading system having a metering section;
• the unloading system having an unloading section;
• wherein the metering section includes a plurality of metering rolls;
• wherein the plurality of metering rolls are configured to meter grain out of the grain column.

A mixed flow grain dryer system, comprising:

• a forward wall;
• a rearward wall;
• side walls;
• wherein the forward wall, rearward wall and the side walls form a grain column;
• wherein the grain column extends from an upper end to a lower end;
• a plurality intake ducts extending into the grain column;
• wherein the plurality of intake ducts form a pathway for air into the grain column;
• a plurality of exhaust ducts extending into the grain column;
• wherein the plurality of exhaust ducts form a pathway for air out of the grain column;
• an unloading system;
• the unloading system operably connected to the lower end of the grain column;
• the unloading system having a metering section;
• the metering section having a first metering roll;
• the first metering roll having a first baffle associated with the first metering roll;
• the first baffle having a hinged portion configured to move from a closed position to an open position to facilitate access to the first metering roll;
• the first baffle having an over center latch configured to facilitate movement of the hinged portion between the open position and the closed position.

A mixed flow grain dryer system, comprising:

• a grain column;
• the grain column having an upper drying section, a middle drying section, and a lower drying section;
• an intake plenum;
• the intake plenum configured to receive ambient air;
• a lower heat plenum;
• a heat duct;
• the heat duct configured to allow air to move from the intake plenum to the lower heat plenum;
• wherein the lower heat plenum is configured to allow air to move through the middle drying section;
• a cool duct;
• the cool duct configured to allow air to move from the intake plenum to the lower drying section;
• a first airflow diverter;
• the first airflow diverter separating the cool duct from the intake plenum;
• the first airflow diverter having a plurality of louvers through which air flows from the intake plenum into the second duct;
• a recovery plenum
• the recovery plenum configured to receive air from the middle drying section and the lower drying section;
• a fan duct;
• an upper heat plenum;
• wherein the fan duct is configured to allow air to move from the recovery plenum to the upper heat plenum;
• wherein the upper heat plenum is configured to allow air to move from the fan duct to the upper drying section;
• and
• an exhaust plenum;
• the exhaust plenum configured to allow air to move from the upper drying section to vent outside.

The system of 34, further comprising a heating system

• the heating system having a first heating element associated with the heat duct
• wherein the first heating element is configured to heat air to be passed through the lower heat section;
• the heating system having a second heating element associated with the fan duct
• wherein the second heating element is configured to heat air to be passed through the upper heat plenum.

The system of 34, further comprising:

• a second airflow diverter;
• the second airflow diverter separating the cool duct from the lower heat plenum;
• the second airflow diverter having one or more doors that are configured to open and close;
• wherein the one or more doors are configured to direct air from the lower heat plenum to the cool duct when open;
• wherein the one or more doors are configured to prevent air from the lower heat plenum from entering cool duct when closed.