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Herb Drying Systems

Drying technique is often the single greatest determinant of end-product quality. Over-dried product will have low yield and under-dried product will mold. By controlling how varying strains and harvests enter the dryer, how they act within that dryer, and how they exit, we help growers consistently achieve the potency and vibrancy buyers want. We provide industry-best solutions, turn-key integration, and 24/7 service.

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Herb Dryers

ABM's circular fluid beds are the best solution for shredded hemp on the market. Using vibration and evenly-distributed airflow to suspend and fluidize hemp like ping-pongs ball over an airstream, heat is used as an aid rather than a primary driver of evaporation. This produces high yields and protects hemp's natural green color. Single-stage systems dry up to 1,000 lbs/hr and dual stage up to 3,000 lbs/hr. Read more about full systems here.

Dryer unit for single and dual stage herb dryers

Microwave Dryers

Microwave dryers' air-tight vessels and temperature control are suitable for all forms of cannabis. They can be used to decarb pellets and gently dry pre-roll material because the specialized mixing paddles cause minimal product damage. System sizes are available from 60 to 400 cubic foot volumes for R&D and full production systems alike.

Bulk Smokeable Flower Dryer
  • Herb essence Retention (~90.5%)90.5%90.5%
  • Throughput (Up to 3k lbs/hr)
  • Affordability (Based On Complete System)90%90%
  • Herb essence Retention (~96.5%)96.5%96.5%
  • Throughput (Up to 1000 lbs/hr)30%30%
  • Affordability (Based On Complete System)50%50%

Complete Systems

ABM delivers high-performing, turn-key systems that maximize spacial, budgetary, and legislative allowances. From stocky bushes to 8-ft trees, from cold and wet seasons to hot and dry, we deliver systems meant to perform under the variances you encounter season-to-season. We work with your team to create a system that maximizes your capabilites and support it throughout its lifetime.

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Single phase herbdrying system
Circular vibratory screener, view of insides

Bud Sorters

Our bud sorters separate large buds from medium, medium from small, and small from keef. By passing bud over vibrating screens of increasing mesh, over-sized buds are ejected out the side of the unit and under-sized pieces pass through the screen for further sorting. Available in sizes from 18” in diameter to 100”, a single unit can divide product into 5 classifications and be used for multiple product types. Screens are easily swapped and available in mesh sizes from inches to microns so that you can change which sizes are considered big, medium, and small.

Circular vibratory sorters are preferable to the original rectangular and manual models for high-throughput applications because of their large capacity, ability to run continuously, and little need for operator supervision. The circular design maximizes surface-area utilization, is easier to clean, and minimizes the distance product must travel before being classified.

Hemp Mills

Herb Mills

If bud isn’t shredded finely enough for drying, mills are needed to reduce the particle size for primary extraction in order to achieve the best yields. (For particle size reduction before drying, see shredders instead). Because of bud’s tendency to clog screens when wet or particularly oil-laden, mills often need to be paired with forced air to clear the screens—and remove dust. This can be accomplished with a dedicated blower—added as an option—or by connecting an external pneumatic system, in which case the extra air can also be used to convey the herb from milling to extraction or storage. Either way the blower should have a way to collect trichomes, as a statistically significant portion is lost at this step. Hammer mills are far-and-away the most effective type of mills for pre-dried herb, and are available in a number of different configurations, detailed below.

Bulk Bag Filler

Bulk Bag Fillers

Bulk Bag Fillers, also known as super sack loaders, package product for sale or storage. Our Bulk Bag Fillers have numerous convenient features for longevity and ease-of-use, are backed with 24/7 emergency service, and are Legal-For-Trade without the high cost usually associated with the certification. They can package up to 3,000 lbs. of product, but a super-sack full of herb will only weight about 500 lbs.

In herb systems, bulk bag fillers are preceded by dryers and sifters to remove moisture and stalks/stems, which will mold product and rip bags respectively. They can be fed by a variety of conveyors or surge hoppers depending on the application.

Dryer unit for single and dual stage herb dryers

Herb Dryers

Fluid beds use evenly distributed airflow to suspend and fluidize product, like ping-pongs ball over airstreams. Heat is used to improve performance, but because it is not the primary driver of evaporation, does not burn the oils like other popular methods. Because fluid beds perform best with shredded material, they are ideal for pre-rolls and extraction biomass. Trichomes lost to abrasion are captured and returned to product in real time.

Bulk Bud Dryer

Microwave Dryers

When most people think of microwaves they think of indiscriminate radiation blasting, uneven heating, and hot bowls with cold food. But comparing consumer to commercial microwaves is like comparing a nuke to a nuclear reactor. The Marion WaveMix uses vacuum to reduce the moisture’s boiling point and tightly controlled microwaves to hold product, to the exact desired temperature within less than 1°F variance. This has the primary benefit of allowing us to ensure virtually no loss of herb extract, and the secondary benefit of being able to decarboxylate pellets.

10hp Herb Shredder with chute and conveyor

Herb Shredders

Shredders slice herb it into small, homogenized particle sizes in preparation for drying. Shredders are preferable over mills for wet product because mills crush instead of cut; crushing inflicts unnecessary damage, makes screens difficult to clean, and compacts the flower which further reduces drying efficiency.

Our high-throughput, super-sturdy herb shredders come with variable controls to accommodate any drying method. They’re available in various sizes from 1–400 HP, with maximum throughputs ranging from 100–10,000 lbs./hr., and optionally available in stainless.
Most dryers will perform best with particle sizes between 3/4 and 1/4″, with the latter being ideal for ABM solutions. 1/4″ shred carries the added benefit of being suitable for extraction, allowing extractors to skip the mill. ABM provides turn-key integration and 24/7 emergency support for all components and systems in our wheelhouse.

Centrifugal sifter

Herb Sifters

ABM’s Herb Sifters remove stalks and stems from premium biomass with far greater speed & precision than human hands, buckers, or other mechanical options. They are low-maintenance, easy to clean, and extremely long-lasting.

Using flow-assists and screw feeders to control the flow of shredded bud into the separating chamber, it uses specially-shaped paddles to propel it against the surrounding sieve. This pushes the desirable fines out through the apertures while the over-sized stems are rejected.

Inline Exposed Plate Magnet

Magnets

Magnets are a cheap and effective way to catch metals that may have been introduced to the field or the harvested bud. By passing herb across extremely strong magnets, metals that would otherwise damage the shredder and cause problems during drying or extraction are captured. Though magnets are typically placed immediately after the intake conveyors, they can be placed in numerous stages of the production line depending on the state of the product and the equipment involved. There are various simple and auto-clean types available, they are easy to install, and they last indefinitely.

40+ Years' Experience

ABM Equipment has been optimizing & integrating bulk biomass processing systems for over 40 years. ABM has implemented and researched bulk drying & handling solutions for producers and co-ops in the herb space since 1978.