As the grain harvest season rapidly approaches, farmers are gearing up for the busy period ahead. To help them prepare, we turn to Lyle Laird of LGL Agri, who shares his extensive knowledge and provides essential tips to ensure a smooth and successful harvest.
Career path
Lyle originates from a family farm in Fife, creating his deep roots into agriculture. His journey began after graduating from SRUC’s Elmwood College with qualifications in agricultural engineering and advanced tractor mechanics. In 1979, he started an apprenticeship with the leading tractor suppliers A and J Bowens, at their Markinch branch.
Over two decades, Lyle climbed the ranks, gaining plentiful experience in service, sales, and management, culminating in his appointment as a director. In 1999 following the merger of Sellars, Bowens and Frasers under the SBF banner, Lyle continued in management. When Sellars Agri was formed in 2004, Lyle managed the Newbridge depot and became a company director in 2009, simultaneously earning the role of director of Combine World Ltd. Reflecting on his role, he said: “Along with the position comes responsibility which can never be underestimated.”
After maintaining his role until 2013, Lyle took a brief break before joining T.M Simpson, part time as their Hillend, by Inverkeithing, as branch manager until the business closed in 2019 due to a passing in the Simpson family.
Roof mounted traveling conveyor to fill the shed to it maximum potential Ref: RH040724247 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
LGL Agri
Driven by a passion for farm machinery, particularly grain dryers, Lyle founded LGL Agri. With assistance from his son and business partner Gavin, LGL Agri specialises in both new and second-hand grain dryers and associated equipment, including conveyors, elevators, dressers, aspirators and trench conveyors.
LGL Agri handles the entire dryer installation process from design to completion, including coordinating with electricians, builders, and erectors. Lyle ensures quality by trading with trusted UK brands like Alvan Blanch, Perrys of Oakley, Graintek and DryerMaster (Kentra).
He states: “Having worked with these businesses over the years, their quality of service is superior. I rely on them for prompt parts delivery and supporting my ideas. It feels good to support British firms that combine traditional designs with modern advancements required for today’s farm production scale.”
Throughout the year, LGL Agri focuses on quoting, designing, and costing systems during autumn and winter, with machinery orders placed by late December for February and March delivery.
Lyle comments: “Assembly of equipment starts as soon as it arrives because July approaches quicker than you realise.”
This schedule aligns with Gavin’s contracting work during peak seasons, keeping the team busy year-round.
The height of the shed is to accommodate lorries tipping grain Ref: RH040724239 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
RHASS
Lyle also attends the Royal Highland Show and has done for over 40 years. He serves as the BAGMA (British Agricultural and Grass Machinery Association) representative on the RHASS Board. He is very proud to be a director and be part of such a successful organisation. He takes the position very seriously as RHASS is a charity that supports many aspects of agriculture. He also won a Silver medal in the innovations awards for the DryerMaster system.
In his spare time, he is a beekeeper and also supplies inverted liquid sugar and fondant from Germany to commercial and hobby beekeepers throughout the UK.
The grain store have the Perry engineering conveyor mount externally Ref: RH040724248 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Current work
Recently, LGL Agri installed an Alvan Blanch DF30000 continuous double flow grain dryer at RM and JF Seeds’ Merryhall Farm, Kirkliston. This dryer offers significant fuel savings due to its built-in air recirculation system, which reuses heat from the dryer cooling section. It also features the unique DryerMaster 510 which controls the dryer output to maintain a set moisture. The system can be controlled from its dedicated screen or via a smart phone. The system can run in manual or automatic mode and adjustments can be made via a smart phone. The DryerMaster 510 was added to free up labour, save fuel/electric and give a consistent moisture reading culminating in more weight of grain to sell and less running cost.
Complementing the dryer, Lyle and Gavin integrated Perry of Oakley conveyors and elevators, capable of handling up to 60 tonnes per hour, based on wheat at 750kg/m³. The conveyors boast heavy-duty specifications of 5mm thick base and 3mm thick side walls, with thicker options available, plus reliable 90-degree direct drive gears, and durable steel plate chains which carry a breaking strain of up to 34.3kN.
Perry engineering conveyor are used throughout Ref: RH040724238 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Pre-harvest checklist
Dryer
1. Blow out all compartments within the grain dryer with a compressor. Clean out any choked slats in tray dryers and check above the laterals in tower dryers for debris.
2. Inspect all electrical wiring for rodent damage and blow out all motors.
3. Check fuel line for damage and replace fuel filter(s).
4. Examine all bearings for wear and damage, replacing as necessary. Grease bearings if applicable.
5. Check all chains and belts for tension, adjusting as necessary. Consult the relevant maintenance book for details.
6. Run the dryer with the burner off, ensuring all operations work correctly.
Conveyor inside the Alvan Blanch dryer Ref: RH040724242 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Conveyor
7. Test all wet grain elevators, conveyors, and machinery, removing debris.
8. Repeat the process for drying grain elevators, conveyors, and machinery.
9. Verify all chains and belts for tension and running true, adjusting as necessary. Inspect bearings for wear and grease as required.
10. Ensure all elevator cups and conveyor slats are intact, replacing as required.
11. Check all ducting and bends for wear, repairing or replacing as necessary.
Final steps in the install of this Alvan Blanch grain dryer Ref: RH040724235 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Final checks
12. Run the system at a low capacity to polish grain-contacting surfaces. Once smooth and shiny, the dryer can operate at full capacity.
13. Ensure the burner flame is straw-coloured. If not, burner adjustments or nozzle replacement may be required. Consult a qualified engineer if unsure.
14. Follow the operator’s manual for maintenance and adjustment of ancillary equipment like dressers and aspirators.
*If no maintenance book is available:
• Adjust conveyor chains so the paddles can be twisted in the direction of the chain by no more than 40 degrees, or the chain can just be moved by hand sideways over the end idler sprocket teeth.
• Elevator belts usually have an adjuster bolted to the belt that can be turned to tighten the belt. Use a tool that fits the adjuster and tighten by hand strength only. Some manufacturers use an external adjusted.
• Check the back of the belt for delamination (belt layers coming apart). Replace with a new belt if serious.
• Ensure the belt runs in, or nearly, the centre of the top and bottom pulleys. Adjustments can typically be made to both top and bottom shafts to rectify any issues.
• Maintenance books can generally be emailed to you by the manufacturer.
By adhering to this checklist, farmers can ensure their grain drying systems are in optimal condition for the harvest season.
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