Choosing a feed extruder: what characteristics to look for

The value of grain feeds prepared by the extrusion method is proven by their positive impact on animal digestion. To increase productivity, owners of mini-farms and large agricultural enterprises prefer to buy a feed extruder. Such machine equipment makes it possible to automate the process and simplify labor-intensive work.

A feed extruder is an agricultural compression machine used for processing. Due to the fact that grain crops contain a certain amount of moisture, they store poorly. Rotting and moldy grain is unsuitable for feeding and causes various diseases. After processing, it becomes more nutritious and completely safe.

Design of an Extruder

In general, the operating principle of the unit is similar to a meat grinder, meaning that formed strands are produced from the loaded material, in this case, bulk material. That is where the similarity ends. In an extruder, apart from grinding, heating and foaming take place. During heating, the grain is disinfected, and during foaming, its volume increases.

The basic construction of an extruder includes:

• a loading container (hopper);
• a rotating compression screw (auger);
• a funnel (small hopper);
• a working head with dies (spinnerets).

Cut-off knives can be included in the package, but in order to save financial resources, you can choose a modification without cutting the extruded strands at the outlet. The resulting product is manually crumbled to a flake state.

What Differences to Focus on When Choosing an Extruder

The variety of presented units will help you decide on the type of extrusion machine and the set of blocks. The price range will satisfy both owners of livestock enterprises and novice entrepreneurs in feed production.

Extruders can have a 220 (380) V motor or not include one in the set.

Loading funnels can be regular or equipped with an eccentric shaft. In the second variant, grain hanging is prevented by means of vibration.

When choosing equipment, clarify whether the possibility of adding herbaceous plants during processing is provided. Such a feed additive improves its nutritional characteristics, increases the content of microelements, and simultaneously reduces grain costs. The "Stroytekhnik" manufacturer produces extruders in a wide range; on the company's website, you can also choose and buy equipment for compound feed production.

How an Extruder Works

Preparation of raw materials includes moistening them at the rate of 1 liter of water per 8 kg of grain with standing for 30-40 minutes.

Sequence of processes:

• from the loading hopper, a gradual filling of the screw part of the extruder takes place;
• compression leads to heating in the compression chamber with the screw;
• at the outlet of the chamber, the pressure experiences a sharp drop, the product foams (the result of a hydraulic shock) and expands in volume;
• then extrusion takes place through the forming dies.