Title: Crop drying apparatus

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Abstract: An apparatus and method of drying crops, the apparatus having a central heating system in which air is forced in a vertical path, downwardly, by a blower, across a heater and into a lower plenum chamber. A flapper valve in the plenum chamber regulates the ratio of heated air to be distributed to the flexible heated air ducts. A plurality of barns radially disposed, around the heater are respctively connected to the heated air ducts and are also connected to the upper plenum chamber of the heating system, via return air ducts. Fresh air is introduced through the upper plenum chamber. Each barn has a carriage consisting of wheels and axles and a tongue by means of which the barn is pulled by a tractor or other prime mover. The housing of each barn is mounted on the carriage and has a front door and a removable top. The crop to be collected and dried, if tobacco, is placed on racks and, if, peanuts or a grain, is through the open top, after the roof has been removed. The gable of the roof has a port with a flapper valve to regulate fresh air intake. The housing has a hoist for aiding in loading the racks of tobacco into the housing. The method includes collecting the crops in individual bins and simultaneously percolating heated air up through the crops in their individual bins. In some instances the method includes comingling the return air for reheating.


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