This is a project regarding an animal feed pellet maker in Ireland. A diversified livestock farm in County Cork, Ireland, was raising beef cattle, sheep, and pigs. The farm had 300 suckler cows (beef breeding herd), 500 ewes, and 200 sows. They were buying pelleted concentrates from commercial mills. The cost was high. The quality varied. And they had no control over the ingredients. The farm manager (let's call him Patrick) decided to produce his own feed using home-grown barley and purchased protein concentrates.
This is a project regarding an animal feed pellet maker in Ireland. A diversified livestock farm in County Cork, Ireland, was raising beef cattle, sheep, and pigs.
The farm had 300 suckler cows (beef breeding herd), 500 ewes, and 200 sows. They were buying pelleted concentrates from commercial mills. The cost was high. The quality varied. And they had no control over the ingredients. The farm manager (let's call him Patrick) decided to produce his own feed using home-grown barley and purchased protein concentrates.
Patrick explained the situation: "We grow barley on 150 acres. We were selling it and buying feed. That didn't make sense. I wanted to use our own barley to make feed for our cattle, sheep, and pigs. I started looking for an animal feed pellet maker that could handle different pellet sizes for different species."
The farm had a grain storage bin, a hammer mill, and a mixer. They needed a pellet maker to convert their mash into durable pellets. Total feed requirement was about 1,500 tons per year – 125 tons per month.
Name:
animal feed pelletizer
Country:
Ireland
Date:
2025
Capacity:
3-4 tons/hour
Model:
SZLH320
Main Motor Power:
37kW
Raw Materials:
Barley, Soybean meal, Beet pulp
Pellet diameter:
3-5mm
Patrick needed a pellet maker that could produce 1.5-2.5 tons per hour with quick die changes for different pellet sizes. From the animal feed pellet machine table, the SZLH320 (37kW) was selected. Why this model?
Patrick chose the SZLH320 for its versatility and quick die change system.
The farm grows its own barley. Patrick sources:
The farm produces four feed types with different pellet sizes:
| Species | Feed Type | Pellet Size | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig weaner | 3.5mm | 3.5mm | 18-20% |
| Pig grower | 4.5mm | 4.5mm | 16-17% |
| Beef cattle | Finisher concentrate | 5mm | 14-15% |
| Sheep | Ewe concentrate | 3mm | 16-18% |
The SZLH320 animal feed pellet maker arrived at the Port of Cork – Ireland's second-largest port.
Shipping time from Qingdao to Cork is about 30-35 days. The machine was packed in a 20-foot container with:
Customs clearance in Cork took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.
Installation took three weeks. The farm had an existing building converted into a feed mill. A concrete foundation (200mm thick) was poured for the SZLH320.
The electrical hookup required 400V, 50Hz three-phase (Irish standard). The 37kW motor required a 100-amp breaker.
The first test run was with pig grower formula (4.5mm die). The conditioner added steam to reach 75°C, 17% moisture. The pellet maker ran smoothly at 3.2 tons/hour. Pellet durability (PDI) was 94% – excellent for pig feed.
After six months of operation, Patrick documented the following results:
Before (buying commercial feed):
After (in-house with SZLH320):
Production output:
Payback calculation:
The machine paid for itself in less than two months.
Here's what Patrick said after six months (paraphrased from a conversation):
"We were selling our barley and buying feed. That made no sense. I knew we could produce our own feed cheaper. When I found an animal feed pellet maker that could handle different pellet sizes, I was sold.
The SZLH320 produces 3.2 tons per hour of excellent pellets. We switch between 3.5mm for pig weaners, 4.5mm for grower pigs, and 5mm for cattle. The quick die change system takes about 30 minutes.
The conditioner is essential – we run at 75°C, 17% moisture for pig feed, slightly lower for cattle (70°C). The pellets are durable – less than 6% fines.
The best part is the cost savings. We're saving €165,000 per year on feed. The machine paid for itself in two months.
Would I recommend this machine? Yes. For any mixed farm growing grain, owning your own pellet maker is a smart investment."
Diversified livestock farms have unique advantages for in-house feed production:
The SZLH320 feed pellet machine's quick die change system allows Patrick to switch between dies in 30 minutes:
The system includes hydraulic die clamping (no bolts) and a die lifting tool.
| Species | Temperature | Moisture | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigs | 75-80°C | 17% | High starch gelatinization |
| Cattle | 65-70°C | 15-16% | Lower temperature preserves protein |
| Sheep | 70-75°C | 16% | Moderate conditioning |
| Pellet Size | Die Life (tons) | Replacement Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm | 1,500-2,000 | Every 6-8 months |
| 4.5mm | 2,500-3,000 | Every 10-12 months |
| 5mm | 3,000-3,500 | Every 12-14 months |
He keeps spare dies on the shelf.
The farm grows 150 acres of spring barley. At 3.5 tons/acre, that's 525 tons of barley per year. At €200/ton value (if sold), that's €105,000. But by processing it into feed, the value increases to €240/ton (as finished feed) – an additional €40/ton value or €21,000 per year from the barley alone.
The SZLH320 shipped from Qingdao to Port of Cork, Ireland.
Shipping time from Qingdao to Cork is about 30-35 days. The route goes through the South China Sea, past Singapore, across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal, across the Mediterranean, and up the Atlantic to Ireland.
The machine was packed in a 20-foot container. Customs clearance in Cork took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.
The truck transport from Cork to County Cork was short – about 30km, roughly 40 minutes.
After six months of running the SZLH320, Patrick shared several observations:
RICHI provided several services that helped Patrick get the SZLH320 operational:
For a diversified livestock farm growing its own grain, a medium-sized pellet maker is an excellent investment.
Consider the SZLH320 if:
Consider a smaller model (SZLH250) if:
For Patrick's mixed farm, the SZLH320 was the right investment. It reduced feed costs by 30%, used home-grown barley efficiently, and paid for itself in two months.
If you're a diversified livestock farmer growing your own grain, don't sell your grain and buy feed. Process your grain into feed. The savings are substantial, and you'll have full control over your feed quality.
The SZLH320 animal feed pellet maker produces 3.2 tons per hour of durable pellets for cattle, sheep, and pigs. The quick die change system allows fast product changeovers. The conditioner ensures proper starch gelatinization. The result is affordable, high-quality feed for your livestock.
For mixed farms, the math is simple: own your feed production = use home-grown grain = lower costs = higher profits.
RICHI offers documentation in English, die selection guidance, conditioning recommendations, and remote support. Contact RICHI Machinery through the website with your livestock numbers, grain acreage, and power availability for a recommendation. Tell them about your diversified farm operation – they can help you select the right animal feed pellet maker for your multi-species production.
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