Flexible Grain Dryer Control Systems
We’ve been blessed with many advancements in grain dryer control systems over the years that have made us more efficient, more productive, and most definitely have made our lives easier. One of the newer technologies gracing the on-farm storage sector is the ability to remotely monitor (and some cases control) grain drying systems. Night checks can now consist of checking your phone/app instead of dragging yourself out of bed and heading outside.
Our three leading grain handling equipment brands all offer this remote monitoring capability: GSI’s Watchdog™, Sukup’s GSM Phone Modem, and Shivvers’ Link. Although their features vary, all of the grain dryer control systems were designed with convenience in mind.
GSI’s Watchdog
With WatchDog™ at your fingertips, you can monitor and control your grain dryer remotely from a smartphone or tablet with web accessibility. In addition to the always up-to-date Vision Controls view, WatchDog™ can also send alerts in forms of text messages or emails on the dryer’s status. The program can be installed on GSI dryers with Vision Controls. The app display matches the Vision Controls, making it straightforward and easy to use. WatchDog™ monitors moisture, temperature, and dryer status.
Sukup’s GSM Phone Modem
If you have, or are looking to add, the QuadraTouchPro™ control system to your Sukup operation, then you will have access to the GSM Phone Modem. After entering a cell phone number for your dryer to communicate with, your dryer becomes your favorite friend to text. Not only are texts sent from the dryer alerting you of shutdowns with error information, but you can also text your dryer and receive responses with current dryer status, moisture, unload speed, and temperature. This grain dryer control system also allows for moisture content, plenum temperature, and manual unload speed to be adjusted from your phone. In addition to text communication, there is also an app you can download that has these same features.
Shivvers’ Link
Link can be accessed from any device that has internet capabilities and comes standard on Premier Command Centers. Not to worry though, if you have a CompuDry Command Center, it can be retrofitted so you can reap the benefits of Link as well. There are three different packages with the Link grain dryer control system:
- CompuDry+Link is for those CompuDry Command Centers that have been retrofitted for Link. This allows you to remotely monitor your dryer, view ambient and relative humidity, receive automatic text alerts from your dryer when alarms are triggered, and access digital ticker tape.
- Premier+Link comes standard on all Premier Command Centers. This offering allows everything the CompuDry+Link has to offer plus the ability to control your dryer from remote locations. Premier+StorageLink is an upgrade option if you have the Premier Command Center. Not only does it have the same access as Premier+Link, but it also gives you remote control of your storage operation.
For growers that want to “babysit” their dryer from the comfort of the combine, the tractor cab or even their bed, remote monitoring technology is a great option for maximizing time and of course, convenience. Contact the team of grain handling experts at Stutsmans to learn more about optimizing your grain dryer control system.