Mixing is at the heart of every feed mill facility. This is considered one of the most important, and sensitive, components of the feed milling process. The goal of the mixing process is to create a uniform feed for your animals and livestock. Generally, this means that every portion or bite of feed contains roughly the same amount of ingredients and nutrients. Otherwise, some animals may consume too much of one ingredient and not enough of the others, leading to nutritional deficiencies.
To produce a uniform feed, the ingredients must be the same size and shape so that they move throughout the mixing chamber in a similar fashion. When the ingredients vary in size and shape, larger particles tend to sink to the bottom as smaller particles rise to the top.
Upgrading your feed mixing technology can help you create a more uniform feed. Find out what kind of mixer produces the best results.
Ribbon vs. Paddle Mixers
One of the first qualities to consider when looking for a feed mixer is the shape of the mixing utensils. Ribbon-shaped paddles tend to produce a shearing action that grinds up the feed, getting rid of any inconsistencies the feed mill grinder may have missed; but these kinds of paddles tend to be hard to clean. They have sharp edges that may be hard to reach when maintaining your equipment.
That’s why it’s best to go with a paddle-shaped mixer. The paddles continuously move your products around the mixing chamber for a better-quality mix. This reduces downtime and settling during the mixing process, which will affect the uniformity of your feed. The paddles are also removable, so you can easily clean off the equipment and remove residue before moving onto the next batch.
Adding Liquids
If you plan on adding liquids during the mixing process, use the Speedmixer to warm your ingredients before inserting them into the batch. Warming the fluid reduces the viscosity to ensure an even mix. Spraying cold fluids into the mix could lead to clumping. The Buhler Speedmixer comes with warming sensors that automatically heat up the fluids as they enter the mixing chamber.
You should also be able to reposition the spray nozzle during the mixing process, so that the fluids seamlessly blend in with the rest of the batch.
Access to the Mixing Chamber
Maintenance is a must when mixing your products. Poor equipment hygiene can lead to contamination and non-uniform feed. The Speedmixer also lets you walk into the mixing chamber for greater quality control. This allows you to inspect and clean every inch of the interior, so you can get rid of residue that may harm your animals. You can quickly hose off hard-to-reach areas to make sure the chamber is empty before loading in another batch.
Use these tips to find the right feed mixer for your business. Contact Salt Lake City’s Construction Professionals at Halverson Company for more information about the Buhler Speedmixer and feed mill construction services.