Patent ID: 8561317
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: F26B

Abstract:
1. A method for drying loose mass forage comprising the steps of: unloading the loose mass forage from a transport vehicle onto a receiving system: transporting the loose mass forage from the receiving system to a detangling mechanism, said detangling mechanism comprising an inclined conveyor belt having an upper end, a lower end and a plurality of cylindrical protrusions extending from the surface of the conveyor belt; and a thickness control device located near the upper end of the inclined conveyor belt; passing the loose mass forage through the thickness control device to separate any large clumps of forage and create a forage carpet of a substantially uniform thickness; transporting the forage carpet to a drying oven containing multiple chambers; drying the forage carpet to moisture content below the desired moisture content for the loose mass forage; and adding moisture to the forage carpet to bring the moisture content of the loose mass forage up to the desired moisture content, wherein the thickness control device is a rod positioned horizontally over the inclined conveyor belt having a plurality of fingers extending axially from the surface of the rod, the fingers knocking any clumps of loose mass forage back down the inclined conveyor belt leaving a carpet of consistent height to pass by the fingers, wherein the loose mass forage is a long strand forage selected from the group consisting of hay, grass and alfalfa.