Our Story
Over the past five years, the heating cost for growing livestock in a controlled environment has risen substantially. In the past, growers have been able to make enough profit throughout the summer months to withstand the winter's high fuel costs. However, this is no longer achievable. For most of today’s growers, fuel costs are rolling over into the next year, making the years ahead even harder. Having been in the poultry business for over forty years, we have experienced all of these changes and understand the burdens of heating costs on growers.
The AGRI-FLAME evolved in 2005 after receiving a $18,000 gas bill for one flock of birds. That bill inspired us to search for a more cost effective solution to heating our houses. Thus came the idea of burning hay as a fuel source. In our inquiries, we found that we were not the only ones looking for an alternative energy source. We found other innovative growers who had built their own on-site units out of large tanks or railroad cars. However, a stove of this kind could not be bought anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, leaving growers who could not build their own, in the cold. Since we could not buy a stove, we decided to take on the task of building our own. We soon realized that the system inside the houses and the plumbing was just as important as the stove itself. Through trial and error, and information gathered from other systems, we have designed a system to meet grower's particular needs. After testing the stove and system on various poultry farms, we have ended up with a system that is simple and proven in design and payback.
At this point, we have not formally rated the AGRI-FLAME for its BTU output. We would, however, unofficially estimate it to be somewhere between 2.5 and 3 million. Like any stove, there are many factors effecting output. If the fuel factor is met by a consistent and plentiful supply of dry fuel, the other factors can be controlled by the operator through the way the stove is opperated and maintained.
Advantages and Features of the AGRI-FLAME
Heat with a renewable resource. The AGRI-FLAME has been specifically designed to burn any dry bio-mass in bale form but will also burn bundled slab wood with optional grates.
Generally, one AGRI-FLAME system is needed per farm.
Loading the AGRI-FLAME is easy with a tractor loader and bale spear.
Clean out is easy.
The AGRI-FLAME stove holds two 4x6 bales for a long burn time.
The AGRI-FLAME water tank holds nearly 4000 gallons of water.
The AGRI-FLAME features an inspection port made of 1/4 inch ceramic scratch proof glass.
The AGRI-FLAME system is equipped with dual thermometers, both water and exhaust.
Weighing around eight tons, the AGRI-FLAME is fully transportable.
. Buy or grow your own fuel (cornstalks, fescue stubble, straw, milo stubble, sage grass, weeds, hay, etc.) on a new untapped market.
. Ashes can be recycled and spread back out onto crop land as fertilizer.
Team up with crop farmers. Trade litter and high phosphorous ash as fertilizer for crop stubble to use as fuel.
The AGRI-FLAME system is simple and practical with very few moving parts and electrical parts that can be purchased at any hardware supply store.
Heat from a hydronic system keeps houses dryer and requires less oxygen. Burning less propane results in less cake.
Easy manifold cleanout.
The AGRI-FLAME system is engineered for longevity, durability, and servicing ease.
The AGRI-FLAME stove is fabricated by Topeka Metal Specialties using the latest technology in metal fabrication and manufacturing processes.
Topeka Metal Specialties
B & D Heating has chosen Topeka Metal Specialties of Topeka, Kansas as our exclusive fabricator of the AGRI-FLAME. Topeka Metal Specialties has been serving customers with steel fabrications and weldments for over forty years. What started out as a small family owned business in 1964 has transformed into one of the premier metal fabrication and welding houses in the Midwest. Well known for their workmanship, innovative ideas, and customer service, TMS has evolved and met the challenges of thier customers and the industry.
With a commitment to on-time delivery of quality products, TMS specializes in high quality welding, quick-turn prototype work, and long run production jobs serving customers in several industries. The success of their company has enabled them to expand their facilities to their current size to over 145,000 square feet of manufacturing and assembly floor space with room still to grow.
In May of 2007, TMS became part of LB Steel, LLC, which is headquartered in Harvey, Illinois. LB Steel is a market leader in both Non-Prime strip mill plate and steel counterweights. With state of the art engineering, processing, fabrication, welding and machining services, LB Steel and it's subsidiary, Topeka Metal Specialties is ready to meet the rigorous demands of its customers.
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