ANIMAL FEED GRANULATOR

Absolutely, one of the key strengths of our SZLH 320 animal feed granulator is its versatility. A single machine can efficiently produce feed for multiple species. The primary adjustment required is switching the ring die. For poultry feed, you would use a die with smaller holes (e.g., 3-4mm) and a higher compression ratio to create dense, durable pellets.

For cattle feed, you would switch to a die with larger holes (e.g., 6-8mm) and a lower compression ratio suitable for coarser, fibrous ingredients. We design our granulators with a user-friendly, clamp-type die attachment system that allows for this changeover in under an hour. Many of our customers operate this way, and Richi Machinery can supply a set of customized dies and provide training for your team on the efficient changeover process.

Processing high-fiber materials like grass and alfalfa is a common application, but it requires the correct configuration. The standard animal feed granulator can be successfully used for this purpose when equipped with an optional forced feeder system. This accessory acts as a positive displacement pump, pushing the bulky, low-density fibrous material uniformly into the pelleting chamber.

This prevents the material from “bridging” or arching over the feed inlet, which is a common cause of clogging and inconsistent production. Additionally, we would recommend specifying a ring die with a lower compression ratio and larger hole diameter specifically engineered for roughage. Our engineers have extensive experience setting up lines for hay and silage pelleting and can ensure your system is optimized from the start.

Achieving the correct mash moisture is critical for pellet quality and machine efficiency. For most standard formulations entering our animal feed granulator, the ideal conditioned mash moisture content is between 16% and 18%. This level provides sufficient lubrication for the material to flow through the die holes smoothly while allowing starch to gelatinize properly for binding.

Our conditioning system, with its extended retention time and efficient steam injection, is designed to bring your mixture to this precise window consistently. If the mash is too dry, it causes excessive wear on the die and rollers, high power consumption, and produces weak, crumbly pellets. If it’s too wet, it can lead to clogging and unstable pellets. During commissioning, our technicians will calibrate your system to achieve this optimal moisture for your specific recipe.

We have engineered our animal feed granulator for maintainability. With the standard clamp-type ring die fixation system, a standard die change can be performed by two trained maintenance personnel in approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The process does not require specialized pulling tools or excessive force.

The design allows for the die to be loosened, slid forward, and replaced without major dismantling of other components. This feature is highly valued by our customers as it directly minimizes production downtime during product changeovers or routine die maintenance. Richi Machinery provides detailed manuals and we can include die-change procedure training during your installation and commissioning service.

This is an excellent and common consideration. While the 3-4 t/h animal feed granulator is a robust, commercial-grade machine, it is often a smart choice for forward-thinking farms. You do not need to run it 24 hours a day. Its advantage is that it allows you to produce a week’s or month’s worth of feed in concentrated, efficient batches, freeing up labor for other tasks. This capacity also provides immediate room for growth if you expand your herd or decide to sell feed to neighbors.

Many small to medium-sized farms find this model to be the perfect balance of capability and investment. Our team at Richi Machinery can help you analyze your consumption and design a batch production schedule that makes this machine a cost-effective centerpiece of your operation.

Producing high-quality sinking fish feed requires specific engineering to achieve the necessary pellet density and water stability. The core of this solution is still our robust animal feed granulator, but it must be configured with key features.

• First, it requires a dual or, preferably, a triple-layer conditioner. This provides extended retention time (90-180 seconds) for thorough steam penetration and starch cooking, which is essential for binding.
• Second, a high-compression ring die (with a ratio such as 1:16 to 1:18) is mandatory to compress the fine mash into an extremely dense pellet that will sink. The process also relies on super-fine grinding upstream.

Richi Machinery designs complete sinking fish feed production lines that integrate these specialized granulator settings with precise grinding, fat coating, and cooling systems.

Richi Machinery stands behind every animal feed granulator we sell with a comprehensive support package. We offer a standard 12-month warranty on the machine, covering defects in materials and workmanship. Our support begins with detailed installation guidance and on-site commissioning by our engineers, who will train your operators. Post-installation, we provide lifelong technical support via phone, email, and video call.

We maintain a large inventory of wear parts and components at our factory, ensuring fast shipment. Furthermore, we offer customized service contracts for regular inspections and preventive maintenance to maximize your equipment’s lifespan and performance. Our goal is to be your long-term partner in production.

Yes, full or semi-automation is a standard offering. Our animal feed granulator is designed to be the intelligent heart of an automated line. It comes equipped with standard PLC control interfaces that can communicate with upstream and downstream equipment. We can supply the complete feed mill plant—including conveyors, elevators, and control panels—or we can engineer a solution to integrate the granulator seamlessly into your existing setup.

Our project engineers will analyze your current mixer, cooler, and other equipment to design the proper mechanical linkages and control logic, ensuring a smooth, synchronized material flow from ingredient intake to finished pellet bagging with minimal manual intervention.

The specific energy consumption is a key metric of efficiency. For our SZLH 320 animal feed granulator producing standard corn-soy based chicken feed pellets (3-4mm), you can expect an average power consumption in the range of 18 to 22 kWh per metric ton.

This industry-leading efficiency is a result of the high-efficiency gear drive, precision-balanced rotor assembly, and optimized die/roller design. It’s important to note that the actual figure can vary by about 10-15% based on your specific formula (higher fat or fiber can influence it), the exact compression ratio of the die, and the conditioning parameters. Our technicians will fine-tune these variables during commissioning to help you achieve the most efficient operation for your recipe.

Pellet length is controlled externally by one or two adjustable cutter assemblies mounted just outside the ring die. As the strands of extruded feed emerge from the die holes, these rotating cutters slice them to the desired length. A significant advantage of our animal feed granulator design is that this adjustment can be made “on-the-fly.”

By simply turning a handwheel or adjusting a bolt, the distance of the cutter blades from the die face can be changed, altering the pellet length without stopping the machine. This allows for great flexibility and quick adjustments between batches or if you notice the initial pellet length is not perfect.

The primary wear parts in any ring die animal feed granulator are the ring die itself and the two pressure rollers. In our machines, the service life of these components depends heavily on the abrasiveness of your raw materials. For standard poultry or livestock feed with common grains, a high-quality alloy steel ring die from Richi Machinery can typically last between 1,000 to 1,800 operating hours before needing replacement or re-boring. The pressure rollers generally have a similar lifespan.

For more abrasive feeds (those containing minerals or certain by-products), the life will be shorter. We use specially hardened and treated alloys to maximize wear resistance and provide detailed guidance on monitoring wear to help you plan maintenance and spare parts inventory effectively.

Absolutely. At Richi Machinery, we strongly believe in proving performance. We operate a fully-equipped testing center at our factory where prospective customers can send samples of their raw material formula (typically 500-1000 kg). Our technicians will run your material through the appropriate animal feed granulator configuration.

You will receive a detailed report including the actual pellet quality, production rate, power consumption, and samples of the finished pellets. This “test-before-you-invest” service eliminates uncertainty and allows us to recommend the exact machine specifications and process settings you will need for success.

The choice depends on your quality targets and formula complexity. For many standard grower/finisher pig feeds, a single-layer conditioner on the animal feed granulator is perfectly adequate and cost-effective. It provides sufficient steam addition and mixing for good pellet durability.

However, we often recommend a double-layer conditioner for several key scenarios: if you are producing starter feeds for piglets where digestibility is critical, if your formula includes high levels of fat or liquid additives that need better distribution, or if you are aiming for premium pellet quality with very low fines and high hardness.

The double-layer system provides longer, more controlled conditioning time, leading to better starch cooking and pellet integrity. Our sales engineers can help you weigh the benefits against the investment for your specific operation.