We’ve heard the requests and we’re expanding our ventilation lineup with the addition of an 84-inch Air Flow Ratio (AFR) exhaust fan. The bigger fan gives producers another option for moving large volumes of air through livestock facilities while maintaining the efficiency and durability they’ve come to rely on from our AFR line.  

Built with longevity in mind, AFR is an industry standard term for the measurement between .5 inches of static pressure all the way up to .2 inches of static pressure which is a determinate of how well the fan runs across a wide range of operating parameters within the facility.  

“The purpose of the exhaust fan is to move the old air out and get the new air in,” says Ventilation Product Manager, Nick LeMay. “The AFR product name and design is unique to VES-Artex. We really want to recognize, study and understand the many operating parameters facilities see in a day. A better understand helps us support livestock producers with keeping animals healthy.”  

The AFR fans pull fresh air across animals to improve breathing health, humidity and moisture in the barn and are also important for regulating temperature inside the barn.  

And barns that rely on large exhaust fans to maintain airflow, size matters. The new AFR 84 was designed specifically for operations that already use 84-inch fans and need a straightforward replacement option that improves efficiency. 

The 84” AFR exhaust fan plug-and-play design makes installation simple and minimizes the need for structural adjustments. That means producers can typically upgrade ventilation performance without redesigning their facilities if they already utilize an 84” exhaust fan from other manufacturers.  

“The AFR 84 fills a practical need for producers who already have barns built around this fan size,” says LeMay. “Instead of modifying the building to fit a new fan, this design allows them to replace what’s already there with a modern, efficient solution that fits the same space.” 

Designed to move more air efficiently 

The AFR fan series is known for combining strong airflow performance with energy efficiency. That approach continues with the new 84-inch model. 

The fan uses a wide-paddle three-blade poly propeller that moves large amounts of air while using less energy than some traditional fan designs that rely on five or six narrow blades. 

“The wide-paddle blade design is a big part of what makes the AFR series so effective. It allows the fan to move more air while using less energy than some other blade designs. That efficiency becomes especially important when producers are running ventilation systems for long periods during warm weather,” LeMay explains.  

Power and efficiency through direct drive technology 

The AFR 84-inch exhaust fan is powered by a direct-drive 4-horsepower permanent-magnet motor, which offers several advantages compared to traditional belt-driven fan systems. 

Direct-drive motors eliminate belts and pulleys, reducing the number of moving parts that require maintenance or adjustment. The result is quieter operation, improved efficiency, and more consistent performance over time. 

The fan can also be paired with a wireless variable frequency drive (VFD) that allows operators to adjust fan speed and airflow levels based on barn conditions. Variable speed operation allows producers to fine-tune ventilation performance throughout the day while reducing unnecessary energy use. 

Built to handle the elements 

Ventilation equipment in livestock facilities must operate reliably in environments that can be tough on mechanical components. Moisture, dust and corrosive gases are all common in agricultural buildings. 

To help withstand those conditions, the AFR 84 features a fiberglass housing designed for durability in harsh agricultural environments. The blade is designed using a fiber reinforced resin, inspired by the aerospace industry for extreme temeprature and pressure fluctuations. The fan also includes all stainless-steel assembly hardware, which helps prevent corrosion and extend the lifespan of the equipment. 

Those materials ensure the fan continues performing reliably through years of continuous operation. 

“Producers depend on ventilation systems every day to maintain the environment their livestock need to perform,” LeMay says. “With the AFR 84, we focused on delivering a fan that fits the buildings producers already have while improving airflow efficiency and durability. It’s a straightforward replacement that helps operations move more air, use energy more efficiently and keep their barns working the way they should for years to come.”