4-5T/H Pasture Grass Pellet Machine in the United States

Background: Who is the Customer and Why the Investment?

Our customer is a mid-sized feed producer located in the Midwest, a region known for its expansive grasslands and livestock farms. For years, this customer supplied local ranchers and dairies with loose chopped grass and alfalfa hay. But seasonal fluctuations in supply, plus losses due to spoilage and handling difficulties, meant inconsistent quality and limited storage options.

In early 2024, the customer decided to enhance their operations by acquiring a single 4-5 tons per hour pasture grass pelletizer from RICHI Machinery. This was not a full production line but rather a strategic addition to their existing equipment lineup, including mixers, grinders, and drying units.

Their intention was clear: improve feed density and shelf life by converting chopped grass into pellets, thereby reducing storage space and transportation costs while offering a more convenient product to end-users.

Raw Materials and Equipment Specifications

The American Midwest provides a rich variety of pasture grasses, which our customer primarily uses as raw material. Their pellet feed is composed mainly of:

• 85% mixed native pasture grasses such as fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass
• 10% alfalfa for added protein content
• 5% wheat straw or oat hulls to balance fiber levels

After proper drying and grinding to the ideal moisture content (~12-14%), the prepared forage enters the pasture grass pellet machine.

Based on their processing needs, the customer chose the CZLH678 model with the following technical specs:

• Model: CZLH678
• Main Motor Power: 185 kW
• Anti-Arch Feeder Power: 3 kW
• Force Feeder Power: 1.5 kW
• Ring Die Inner Diameter: 673 mm
• Finished Pellet Diameter: 4–12 mm (commonly 6-8 mm)
• Output Capacity: 4-5 T/H

The Role and Impact of the pasture grass pellet machine in the United States

The addition of the pasture grass pellet machine in the United States revolutionized the customer's production and supply chain in several ways:

• Improved Storage and Handling: Pellets have a much higher bulk density than loose grass, enabling compact storage and minimizing space usage in barns or warehouses.
• Reduced Feed Waste: Pellets resist weather and pest damage better than loose hay, reducing spoilage and loss during transport and storage.
• Consistent Nutrient Delivery: Uniform pellet size ensures easier rationing and predictable feed intake for livestock, crucial for optimizing growth and milk yield.
• Extended Market Reach: The densified pellets allow the customer to ship feed further afield at lower cost, opening new sales channels outside their immediate region.

In addition, the pasture grass pellet machine in the United States helps the customer produce pellets that retain the original nutritional profile of the mixed grasses and alfalfa, maintaining fiber, protein, and digestibility levels desirable to ranchers.

Flexibility Beyond Pasture Grass Pellets

While the primary focus is on pasture grass feed, the versatility of the pasture grass pellet machine in the United States means the customer can also process:

• Pure alfalfa pellets, catering to horse owners and high-value dairy operations
• Wheat straw or corn stover pellets, which serve as roughage supplements
• Mixed forage and grain-based pellets, blending up to 20% grains like corn or oats to enhance energy content
• Biomass pellets from agricultural residues, for potential use as renewable fuel

This adaptability ensures the customer can respond to seasonal feed availability and market demands without significant equipment changes.

Installation, Operation, and Local Support

RICHI Machinery's team provided on-site technical guidance during installation, ensuring proper alignment of the anti-arch feeders and force feeders that prevent material bridging and ensure smooth pelletizing of fibrous pasture grass.

Local operators received comprehensive training on routine maintenance and troubleshooting, enabling the customer to maximize uptime and product quality.

Why This Customer Trusts RICHI Machinery

The customer evaluated multiple suppliers, including several European and North American grass pellet press manufacturers, but RICHI stood out for:

• Proven performance of their pasture grass pellet mills in fibrous forage applications
• Competitive pricing with excellent quality build and durable components
• Responsive after-sales support and spare parts availability
• Customizable pellet press options to suit specific output and pellet size requirements

A Path Forward for US Pasture-Based Feed Producers

This case shows how integrating a single pasture grass pellet machine in the United States can dramatically upgrade forage processing, increase profitability, and improve customer satisfaction. Especially in the US market, where feed costs and supply chain logistics remain critical, pelletizing pasture grass can be a game changer for mid-sized producers.

For operators considering densification technologies, this project offers a practical roadmap: choose the right pellet press size, optimize raw material blends, invest in skilled operator training, and partner with an experienced equipment supplier like RICHI Machinery.

Key Takeaways

• The CZLH678 pasture grass pellet machine in the United States efficiently processes 4-5 tons per hour of mixed pasture forage.
• Pellets provide longer storage life, higher density, and consistent nutrition for livestock.
• The customer uses mostly native pasture grasses blended with alfalfa and straw, typical of US Midwest feed.
• Flexibility allows processing other biomass and feedstock types, protecting business resilience.
• RICHI Machinery's expertise, equipment quality, and support made this project a success.

If you're ready to improve your pasture feed supply with a trusted grass pellet mill, alfalfa pellet making machine, hay pellet machine, pellet press, or pelletizer, contact RICHI Machinery for professional consultation and customized solutions. Turn your forage into value-packed pellets that serve your livestock and your bottom line better!

RICHI Machinery – Your Reliable Partner in Pasture Grass Pellet Solutions