The drying silo at Riuttamäki farm
The Riuttamäki farm in Huittinen was the first in Finland to introduce the Antti drying silo. Juho Riuttamäki manages an operation consisting of four farms.
Read moreA premiere in Germany: As the first customer in Germany, Andermann farm in Haßbergen, located in the Nienburg/Weser district, chose Antti’s X‑Series. The farm’s own compact grain drying plant offers numerous advantages. In addition to economic benefits, greater independence from grain traders has proven to be a significant gain for the Andermann family.
The Reason Why:
Andermann GbR, located in the Nienburg/Weser district in northern Germany, operates a 220-hectare arable farm using conventional farming methods. The family-owned business grows cereals, feed peas, rapeseed, and grain maize; silage maize was also cultivated in the past.
In recent years, maize drying costs had become increasingly high, while harvest schedules were strictly dictated by grain traders. This not only limited the farm’s entrepreneurial flexibility but also resulted in financial disadvantages, as harvest-time prices were generally much lower. By storing grain maize on-site, significantly better prices could often be achieved in spring. With the goal of becoming less dependent on grain traders, the Andermann family decided in July 2025 to invest in their own drying plant so that they could dry their grain maize themselves already for the 2025 harvest season.
Finding the Right Solution:
After thoroughly researching the available grain drying system suppliers, the family ultimately chose the Finnish company Antti. The manufacturer’s product portfolio is so extensive that suitable solutions can be found for virtually every type and size of farming operation.
“What immediately impressed us about Antti was the comprehensive product range. The wide selection of optional equipment meant that no wishes remained unmet. As newcomers to the grain drying business, we especially appreciated the excellent consultation and support. ‘Made in Finland’ stands for durability and reliability, which are extremely important factors when making an investment of this scale,” says Johannes Andermann regarding the decision to choose Antti.
The Antti X‑series: Problem solved!
The family selected a model from the compact X‑Series, the X320M, equipped with a Dustex dust extraction system for maize drying. “The dust extraction system keeps our farmyard clean and significantly reduces cleaning work,” says Johannes Andermann. “With the additional remote monitoring module, we are always informed about the status of the dryer, helping us prevent unexpected downtime.” For their oil-fired drying system, the Andermann family chose an insulated drying tower to prevent heat loss during colder periods of the year. X‑Series models are delivered by standard truck transport and can be assembled quickly. For installation, the family commissioned a local contractor to construct a simple 6 × 4 m concrete foundation.
The X Series in Practice: Running Like Clockwork!
The farm quickly developed an efficient routine for operating the drying plant:
Grain maize with an average moisture content of 30% is automatically dried and cooled in approximately 11 hours. Unloading and refilling the dryer takes about one additional hour. This results in a 12-hour drying cycle, which fits perfectly into a normal working day.
One person starts a drying cycle in the morning, while another unloads and refills the dryer in the evening, allowing the plant to operate continuously, 24/7. This eliminates the need for night shifts while also avoiding energy losses caused by reheating the system. “After only three to four drying cycles, we had already found the optimum settings. With maize at 30% moisture content, our drying system equipped with the indirect oil burner consumes approximately 25 litres of fuel oil per tonne of maize,” reports Johannes Andermann.
The Andermann family summarizes the key advantages of their drying system:
The Right Choice!
- High quality and reliability: In addition to the extensive product range and numerous optional features, the family particularly appreciates the overall quality of the plant. The entire drying system is thoughtfully designed, and the high standard of workmanship — both mechanically and electrically — indicates exceptional reliability and durability.
Standardized wear parts can be sourced and replaced by virtually any local workshop. In emergency situations, spare parts can also be shipped directly from Finland within 24 hours. - Versatile applications: The X‑Series models are highly versatile. Thanks to the indirect oil burner, the system can be used not only for drying grain maize or feed grain but also for processing certified quality grain and seed grain. Since there is no direct contact between the flame and the crop, and very low inlet air temperatures can be used, product quality is preserved.
The grain discharge system is also particularly gentle on the kernels. A paddle mechanism reduces grain damage and breakage compared to systems offered by many other manufacturers. Furthermore, the labour required for the drying process can be integrated seamlessly into the farm’s regular daily operations. - Strong economic benefits and greater independence: The economic advantages of owning a drying plant allow the Andermann farm to achieve a return on investment within approximately four years. More efficient drying, lower drying losses, and generally higher market prices are the key factors contributing to this result. In addition, the drying plant provides greater entrepreneurial freedom and independence. The positive experiences gained so far have already led the family to consider expanding their drying capacity in the future.
Pictures:
1. Thanks to its pre-assembled modular design, the Antti X Series can be installed and commissioned quickly:
2. The X320M is ready for next refill:
3. The X320M runs smoothly 24/7:
4. The X320M is ready and waiting for its next job:
