McLanahan Sand Bedding Dryers remove more than 98% of moisture from recycled sand bedding
Bedding sand recovered through a mechanical Sand Separation System or gravity settling system typically contains 12-20% moisture. This recycled sand needs to be dried further before it can be put back under the cows, which can take time and labor as well as tie up concrete stacking pad area or require producers to pour more concrete to stack and drain sand.
McLanahan Sand Bedding Dryers quickly reduce the moisture content in recycled sand bedding for immediate reuse in the freestalls. This saves time and labor costs associated with moving and conditioning the sand while it drains and dries.
How dry is the sand once it goes through the Sand Bedding Dryer?
Once recycled sand is dried through a McLanahan Sand Bedding Dryer, it is approximately 1-2% moisture. In addition, the drying process also eliminates bacteria and organic content.
In addition to having a low moisture content, sand processed through a Bedding Dryer is less likely to harbor mastitis-causing bacteria. Reducing the ability for mastitis-causing bacteria to survive means less clinical infections in the herd, lower somatic cell count and improved milk quality.
“Bacteria needs three things to thrive: moisture, heat and organic matter, or food,” said Renee Schrift, Director of North America Agriculture Sales. “Take any of these three things away and you will greatly reduce the ability of mastitis-causing organisms to survive.”
How Sand Bedding Dryers work
Sand Bedding Dryers can operate with a variety of fuel sources, including biogas, diesel, natural gas and propane. They can be added to new or existing Sand Separation Systems, which convey sand directly into the Bedding Dryer with minimal operator interface. They can also be used with Sand Lane Systems, where an operator first dumps the sand into a hopper, which feeds the Bedding Dryer.
The Sand Bedding Dryer consists of a rotating drum that continuously lifts and showers the sand through a heated air stream as it advances through the drum. The sand remains in the Bedding Dryer just long enough to remove moisture and kill pathogens.
A material removal system transfers the dry material from the Bedding Dryer onto a conveyor system for stacking. According to Schrift, the sand can and should be reused immediately after discharging from the Sand Bedding Dryer.
“Once sand is dried through a sand dryer, it is ready for immediate reuse as clean, dry bedding,” Schrift said. “The cleaner, drier bedding produced by the Sand Bedding Dryer allows dairies to see improvements in cow health and milk quality.”