25-30T/H Pig Feed Pellet Cooler in Mexico

An Integrated Swine Producer's Quest for Nutritional Precision

Our client is a fully integrated swine operation, managing everything from breeding and farrowing to finishing and processing. Their large, centralized feed mill is the engine of their production system, formulating and manufacturing feed for all stages: starter, grower, and finisher diets.

As they expanded their sow herd to increase production, their existing feed line, including an older, undersized vertical cooler, became a bottleneck. This cooler struggled with the higher throughput and produced inconsistent cooling, especially problematic for their high-fat finisher diets.

The result was occasional batches of feed that retained too much heat and moisture, leading to fat oxidation (rancidity), reduced palatability, and potential nutrient degradation. This inconsistency was unacceptable for their precision nutrition programs aimed at optimizing feed conversion ratio (FCR) and growth rates.

To eliminate this variability and support their expansion, they decided to purchase a single, high-capacity pig feed pellet cooler. This was a direct replacement and upgrade for their outdated equipment, a critical component to be integrated into their renovated feed line, positioned after the new pellet mills and before the fat-coating system and bulk load-out bins.

Material Specifications and the Cooling Imperative for Swine Diets

The material to be cooled is swine feed pellets, with varying diameters: 2.5mm for starter diets, 3.5mm for grower, and 4.5mm for finisher feeds. These pellets, especially the high-energy finisher formulations with added fats and oils, exit the pig feed pellet machine at temperatures between 85-90°C. The cooling objectives are multifaceted:

1. Nutrient and Fat Preservation: Rapid cooling is critical to stop the thermal process, preserving heat-sensitive vitamins (like certain B vitamins and vitamin A) and preventing the oxidation of added fats, which directly impacts feed palatability and shelf life.
2. Moisture Control for Stability: Reducing the pellet temperature and associated moisture to a uniform, safe level (typically <12.5%) is essential to prevent caking in bulk bins and the growth of mold or bacteria during storage, especially in Mexico's varying climate.
3. Pellet Hardening for Handling: Proper cooling allows the gelatinized starch to set, creating a durable pellet that can withstand handling and transport within their integrated system without excessive breakage and dust formation.

Given their substantial production needs to supply thousands of pigs daily, a high-capacity and reliable cooler was required. RICHI engineers recommended the SKLF28*28 Flip-Plate Counterflow Cooler. With a rated capacity of 25-30 tons per hour, it could comfortably handle their peak output from multiple pellet mills.

The flip-plate discharge mechanism was selected for its gentle action, minimizing pellet shear and breakage—a key factor in maintaining pellet integrity for their automated feeding systems. The counterflow design ensures maximum cooling efficiency, and the large octagonal chamber provides even air distribution for consistent results across all pellet sizes and formulations.

From a Variability Source to a Quality Cornerstone

The installation of this dedicated pig feed pellet cooling system delivered immediate and measurable benefits to the entire integrated operation:

1. Eliminated Feed Quality Variability: Consistent, uniform cooling ensured every batch of feed, regardless of diet formula, exited the mill at the same stable temperature and moisture, directly supporting their precision nutrition strategy.
2. Enhanced Feed Safety and Shelf Life: By effectively halting thermal degradation and reducing moisture, the cooler significantly lowered the risk of rancidity and microbial spoilage in bulk storage, contributing to better herd health.
3. Improved Pellet Durability and Flowability: The gentle cooling process produced harder pellets with less fines, improving flow in their automated conveying and feeding systems and reducing waste.
4. Unlocked Full Production Capacity: The new cooler removed the bottleneck, allowing the entire feed manufacturing line to operate at its designed capacity, supporting their herd expansion plans without compromise.

This pig feed pellet cooler became the guarantor of consistent feed quality, a critical factor in the predictable and efficient performance of their high-investment swine operation.

Logistics to North America: Shipping to the Port of Manzanillo

The large SKLF28*28 pellet cooler system was manufactured, pre-assembled for verification, and disassembled into transportable modules. All components were professionally packed in heavy-duty crates. The shipment departed from Qingdao Port on a vessel crossing the Pacific Ocean.

The destination was the Port of Manzanillo on Mexico's Pacific coast, one of the country's largest and busiest ports, with excellent infrastructure for handling industrial project cargo and direct rail/truck connections to the industrial heartland, including Jalisco.

Technical Evaluation: Why RICHI's Solution Met Mexican Industrial Standards

The client's engineering team conducted a thorough analysis of international suppliers. RICHI's SKLF series pellet cooler was selected based on a compelling combination of performance, durability, and value:

• Capacity and Future-Proofing: The SKLF28*28 model Counterflow Pellet Cooler not only met their current needs but provided headroom for future growth, a key consideration for their expanding business.
• Focus on Gentle Handling for Pellet Integrity: We provided data on how the flip-plate mechanism minimizes fines generation compared to other designs, directly addressing their concern over feed waste and handling efficiency.
• Robust Construction for Continuous Operation: The heavy-duty construction, quality of the hydraulic system, and overall design were assessed as suitable for the demanding 24/5 operation of a large integrated feed mill.
• Comprehensive Support and Competitive Value: RICHI offered detailed installation documentation, a clear spare parts strategy, and a competitive price-to-performance ratio that delivered superior value compared to other international bids.

Feedback from the Feed Mill's Production Superintendent

"Replacing our old cooler with the RICHI pig feed pellet cooler was one of the best investments for our mill's consistency. Before, we were always adjusting and worrying about hot spots in the feed, especially in the summer. Now, the feed comes out cool and consistent, batch after batch. Our quality control checks show much tighter moisture ranges.

The machine is a workhorse; it handles our full production load without any issues. The gentle discharge is great—we see less broken pellets at the fat coater. The installation was well-managed with the plans provided. For any large swine operation or feed mill in Mexico looking to improve feed quality and operational reliability, upgrading to a proper high-capacity pellet cooling machine like this RICHI unit is a smart business decision. It has taken a variable out of our system."

The Critical Role of Cooling in Modern Livestock Feed Production

While this project focuses on a Pig Feed Pellet Cooler in Mexico, the principles apply universally across all modern animal feed manufacturing. An efficient counterflow pellet cooler is indispensable for:

• Poultry Feed: Preserving nutrients and ensuring pellet hardness for broilers and layers.
• Aquafeed: Cooling delicate, high-fat pellets for fish and shrimp to prevent nutrient loss and ensure water stability.
• Dairy and Beef Cattle Feed: Stabilizing pellets and cubes for bulk storage and handling.

The benefits of nutrient preservation, moisture control, dust reduction, and improved handling are universal drivers for feed mill investment.

RICHI Machinery: A Partner for Agribusiness Efficiency

Our partnership with the Mexican client involved understanding their integrated business model and the critical link between consistent feed quality and swine performance. We provided a solution that was not just a machine, but a reliable process component designed to operate flawlessly within a high-throughput, precision-focused production environment. We support the growth of efficient and sustainable agribusiness worldwide.

Optimizing Your Swine or Livestock Feed Production in Mexico or Latin America?

If your feed mill is facing challenges with inconsistent pellet cooling, high fines generation, or bottlenecks that limit your production capacity, the solution implemented in this Pig Feed Pellet Cooler in Mexico project offers a proven path.

Effective cooling is a direct investment in feed quality, animal performance, and operational scale. Contact RICHI Machinery today for a technical consultation. Let our experts help you select the optimal feed pellet cooling equipment to enhance your mill's efficiency and support your growth in the dynamic Latin American market.