Ian,

As far as drying IP soys, a TD is what HDC and Ondrejicka have for that purpose. Supposedly everything comes in dry, but then there's the fall of '18...

Our TD is an AutoFlow, and we're on 3PH and NG, but that's not a need. Our energy cost (gas + elec) on avg 22.5% corn this fall was about 11 cents, and that was high because our ambient temps were around freezing for much of harvest - typically 8-9 for that moisture corn. If you were to go to a TD in batch, 1PH and propane, I'd guestimate your energy cost at 20 cents (propane currently about double of NG and batch vs AutoFlow you'll lose a bit of efficiency.

If you erect a small continuous flow, you will have some moving parts to manage - constantly bringing wet corn in, and constantly moving dry corn out. Yes, the dryer is inexpensive, but also take some management.

The thing we appreciate about our TD is that there is really only 1 moving part while drying - the load device. Have several neighbours that run a TD on batch that simply load the chamber with a swingaway, and when it dumps have a couple trucks sitting there to reload. Eventually they may put up some wet holding capability and possibly automate the filling. Think ahead on a site plan, rather than putting it "beside the barn" because it will be close to the old feed room for power and there's a bit of a driveway there already.

If on 1ph, possibly the 2 x 15hp burner option may be more appealing vs a single 30hp. Would require a smaller phase converter or VFD for starting.

Will hold 15-18K bu at the end of season...

Have a couple large farm/commercial elevators up here with a pair of them each - dry 2K bu/hr + with a fraction of the electrical power and about same fuel consumption as the towers.

The factor which is just as big, or bigger for having your own dryer is that you are no longer a captive seller. Once corn is delivered to your neighbor, it is sold. If you store it, it is still sold but you haven't negotiated the price. You are a captive seller. Drying and storing your own crop, you are able to make deferred sales and capture 'the full carry'. Also, in a fall like '18 where DON discounts were punitive at harvest, the ability to let the insanity subside before you present your product to the marketplace had tremendous value.

For a $ figure, Wayne in Elmira can give you a round capital figure to start with. Then add site prep., electrical, and any infrastructure (auger etc.)

Ken