1T/H Alfalfa Pelletizer Machine in Germany

Customer Profile and Purpose of Purchase

The client is a feed processing facility serving a network of dairy farms, beef operations, and mixed livestock farms across Germany. Their primary motivation for purchasing the Alfalfa Pelletizer Machine was:

• Testing new forage blends: They wanted to process pure alfalfa and mixed hay blends to optimize nutrient density, fiber content, and pellet integrity.
• Standalone operation: By purchasing a single unit, they could evaluate the machine’s performance, pellet quality, and energy consumption without committing to a large-scale system immediately.
• Flexibility for multiple species: The mill produces pellets for dairy cattle, beef cattle, and sheep, so they required a machine capable of adapting to different raw materials and pellet sizes.
• Incremental investment: A standalone machine allowed the client to start small while planning for future line expansion, integrating additional pelletizers, dryers, and coolers as demand increases.

The client’s decision reflects a pragmatic approach to modernization, combining quality improvement with cautious capital investment, and ensuring that any expansion is guided by practical experience with the machine.

Raw Material Preparation and Sources

Germany produces high-quality alfalfa and ryegrass suitable for pellet feed. For this project, the client used the following raw materials:

• Alfalfa bales: 100% locally sourced, harvested during peak nutritional value to ensure optimal feed quality.
• Ryegrass: Supplementary fiber source, added at 10–20% to improve texture, palatability, and digestibility.
• Clover and mixed hay: Minor additions for nutrient diversity, ensuring a balanced feed profile for livestock.
• Optional grain: Up to 15% barley or oats blended to increase energy content for beef cattle.

The forage initially arrived in compact bales, which were processed using a bale shredder and hammer mill to reduce particle size to 3–5 mm, the ideal range for pelletizing. Moisture content was maintained at 12–14% through drying in a forage dryer, ensuring optimal pellet density, durability, and smooth feed flow through the pelletizer. Proper preparation also minimizes wear on the machine, prevents clogging, and ensures consistent pellet quality.

Equipment Selection and Specifications

The feed mill selected the CZLH350 Alfalfa Pelletizer, suitable for medium-scale forage pellet production. Key specifications include:

The CZLH350 model provides the ideal balance of capacity, energy efficiency, and material handling, allowing the client to produce high-quality pellets from fibrous forage like alfalfa and ryegrass. Its size and throughput make it suitable for pilot operations and selective expansion in Germany’s feed processing market.

Pellet Size and Applications

The client required pellets sized 6–8 mm for dairy cattle and beef cattle, while smaller 4–6 mm pellets were reserved for sheep feed. The applications are as follows:

• Dairy cattle feed: High-fiber pellets help maintain rumen health, support digestion, and improve milk production.
• Beef cattle feed: Denser, nutrient-rich pellets enhance weight gain, feed efficiency, and overall animal performance.
• Sheep feed: Smaller pellets for easier consumption and digestion, ensuring appropriate nutrient intake for smaller ruminants.

The flexibility in pellet size allows the mill to produce species-specific feed using a single machine, increasing operational efficiency and product versatility across multiple livestock types.

Equipment Function and Technical Advantages

The Alfalfa Pelletizer Machine in Germany is highly versatile, offering multiple benefits:

• Adaptability: Capable of pelletizing 100% alfalfa, ryegrass, or mixed forage blends to accommodate seasonal and farm-specific needs.
• Consistent pellet quality: Reinforced rollers and ring die ensure uniform pellet density and durability, reducing breakage during handling and storage.
• Standalone operation: Can function independently or integrate with a full production line, offering flexibility for future expansion.
• Energy efficiency: Optimized motor and feeder design reduce power consumption while maintaining stable throughput and productivity.
• Adjustable pellet diameter: Produces 4–12 mm pellets for different livestock species, allowing customization according to feed requirements.

These features make it ideal for feed mills that require both precision and flexibility, enabling consistent, high-quality pellet production year-round while reducing operational costs and machine wear.

Raw Material Processing Details

The client’s raw material preparation was carefully designed to maximize pellet quality:

• Bale shredding: Reduced alfalfa and ryegrass to 3–5 mm for smooth feed into the pellet mill and uniform pellet formation.
• Moisture control: Ensured moisture content below 14% to prevent pellet cracking, clogging, and machine damage.
• Optional grain blending: Up to 15% barley or oats added for energy-dense feed, especially for beef cattle.
• Source of materials: Raw materials were sourced locally from multiple farms and cooperatives, ensuring consistent quality, freshness, and nutrient content.

The CZLH350 alfalfa pellet making machine’s feeder system efficiently handles fibrous material, producing dense, durable pellets that can withstand storage and transport without crumbling, maintaining feed quality throughout the supply chain.

Shipping and Logistics

The CZLH350 Alfalfa Pelletizer was shipped from Qingdao Port, China, to Port of Hamburg, Germany, the primary import hub for northern and central Germany. RICHI Machinery provided full-service support, including:

• Pre-shipment inspection: Verified complete components, operational status, and packaging integrity for safe delivery.
• Customs clearance guidance: Assistance with German import documentation and regulatory compliance.
• Installation and commissioning: Engineers provided on-site setup, calibration, and initial production testing for optimal performance.
• Operator training: Local staff trained in operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety protocols.

This full-service approach ensured that the client could start producing pellets immediately with minimal downtime, avoiding common installation challenges and optimizing operational efficiency from day one.

Technical Features and Multi-Purpose Use

The CZLH350 Alfalfa Pelletizer is a multi-purpose grass pellet machine:

• Feed versatility: Produces pellets for dairy cattle, beef cattle, and sheep, catering to multiple livestock types.
• Material flexibility: Handles 100% alfalfa or mixed forage, with optional grain inclusion for energy enhancement.
• Durable components: Reinforced rollers and ring die ensure long service life, even with fibrous, abrasive materials.
• Adjustable production: 4–12 mm pellet diameter accommodates diverse livestock feed requirements.
• Scalable operations: Can be integrated with additional pelletizers, dryers, and packaging systems for future expansion.

These advantages allow the feed mill to adapt to seasonal forage variations while maintaining high feed quality, consistent pellet production, and operational efficiency across multiple feed formulations.

Customer Feedback

Three months after installation, the client provided feedback:

1. "The CZLH350 is performing exceptionally well. It handles our alfalfa and ryegrass bales smoothly and produces uniform, high-quality pellets."
2. "The RICHI team provided excellent support during installation and training, ensuring our staff could operate the pelletizer efficiently."
3. "Our dairy and beef feed has improved noticeably, with better pellet density and consistency, reducing wastage."
4. "We are already considering adding a second unit to increase production and meet growing demand."

Key highlights from the client include improved pellet density and durability, smooth operation with minimal maintenance, excellent support from RICHI Machinery, and the ability to process mixed forage with optional grain inclusion efficiently. This feedback demonstrates high satisfaction with both the equipment and the professional service provided.

Project Summary and Conclusion

The Alfalfa Pelletizer Machine in Germany project illustrates the value of a standalone forage pelletizer for medium-scale feed production. Key benefits include:

• Efficient forage processing: Handles alfalfa, ryegrass, clover, and mixed hay for consistent feed production.
• High-quality pellet production: Uniform, durable pellets suitable for dairy, beef, and sheep feed.
• Standalone operation: Allows pilot testing and operational optimization before full line integration.
• Energy-efficient and robust: Reduces operational costs while maintaining stable throughput and long-term reliability.
• Full RICHI support: Installation, training, and after-sales assistance provided to ensure smooth operations.

Investing in the CZLH350 Alfalfa Pelletizer allows the client to convert abundant local forage into high-value livestock feed, improving operational efficiency, reducing feed wastage, and providing the flexibility to expand production in the future while maintaining consistent feed quality and adapting to seasonal forage availability.