3–4 T/H Poultry Feed Pellet Mill for Feed Production Line in Tanzania

Why the Morogoro Feed Mill Added Pelletizing Capacity

The plant's existing mash feed business provided a useful foundation, but the owner wanted to reach customers with different feeding practices and product expectations. Some poultry farms preferred mash, while others wanted pellets that could be handled and distributed more consistently through their feeding systems.

Purchasing a complete new feed production line would have duplicated the factory's existing grinding, mixing and packaging capacity. The more practical approach was to retain those machines and introduce a pellet mill between mixing and finished-product handling.

The company's longer-term business plan targeted an additional 15,000 tons of pelleted feed annually. However, one SZLH320 poultry feed pellet machine operating at 3–4 T/H cannot automatically deliver that volume under every working schedule. At approximately 2,000 productive hours per year, its theoretical output would be around 6,000–8,000 tons before accounting for downtime, product changeovers and other losses. The first installation therefore provided a staged route toward the company's expansion target, with a second pellet mill planned as demand increased.

SZLH320 Ring Die Pellet Mill: Equipment Configuration

RICHI recommended the SZLH320, equipped with a 37 kW main motor. Its rated capacity of 3–4 T/H was suitable for introducing pelleted feed production without immediately moving to a much larger machine.

The plant purchased three ring dies to accommodate its initial product range. The 3.5 mm die was assigned to the starter formulation, the 4.0 mm die to broiler finisher feed and the 4.5 mm die to layer feed. The final die selection and feed form were confirmed against the mill's product specifications; very young chicks may require smaller pellets or crumbles, depending on their feeding program.

Feed Formulations Based on Tanzanian Ingredients

Maize was the principal energy ingredient in the plant's formulations. Tanzanian-grown maize offered a locally available foundation, while soybean meal supplied additional protein. Sunflower cake and rice bran provided alternative ingredients from regional agricultural processing activities.

Broiler Starter Feed

The plant's example starter formulation used the following ingredient proportions:

• 55% ground maize
• 18% soybean meal
• 10% sunflower cake
• 6% fishmeal
• 5% rice bran
• 3% vegetable oil
• 3% vitamin and mineral premix

The formula totals 100%. Before commercial production, the mill needed to verify protein, amino acids, energy, minerals and ingredient quality. The proportions were a starting formulation rather than a universal recipe for every broiler starter product.

Layer Feed

For laying hens, the plant used a separate formulation based on maize, soybean meal, sunflower cake and limestone:

• 50% ground maize
• 14% soybean meal
• 12% sunflower cake
• 10% limestone
• 6% rice bran
• 4% vegetable oil
• 4% vitamin and mineral premix

This formulation also totals 100%. Its final calcium concentration must be established through formulation calculations and ingredient analysis; a 10% limestone inclusion does not mean the finished feed contains 8% calcium. Proper calcium and available phosphorus balance is particularly important for eggshell formation and laying performance.

Sunflower cake required special attention because its fiber content varied between batches. Higher-fiber material could change pellet formation and durability. The production team therefore needed to inspect incoming ingredients and adjust the formulation and conditioning settings when necessary.

Integrating the Pellet Mill into the Existing Feed Production Line

The SZLH320 was installed as an additional processing stage rather than as the centerpiece of a complete factory replacement. The existing hammer mills continued to grind the ingredients, and the ribbon mixer remained responsible for batch blending.

The integration work covered several practical points:

• The mixer machine discharge was adapted to supply a new bucket elevator.
• The elevator transferred prepared mash to a surge bin above the pellet mill.
• A separate cooler was installed downstream of the pellet mill.
• The existing bagging equipment remained in use for finished pellets.
• A steam boiler rated at approximately 300 kg/h was added for conditioning.

The conveying arrangement helped maintain a continuous material flow between mixing and pelletizing. The surge bin also provided a buffer so that short interruptions in upstream batch preparation would not necessarily stop the feed pellet mill immediately.

Cooling was an essential part of the new process. Fresh pellets leave the die hot and contain moisture introduced during conditioning. They must be cooled sufficiently before screening, bagging and storage. Packing pellets while they remain excessively warm can encourage condensation inside bags and compromise storage stability.

Steam Supply and Operating Conditions

Steam conditioning was particularly important for the new production stage. The plant's initial operating targets differed by feed formulation and die size:

These values served as trial settings, not fixed requirements for all recipes. Actual steam demand depends on initial mash moisture, starch content, fiber level, steam quality and the required pellet durability. The boiler's effective output and pressure stability also needed to be checked at the intended production rate, particularly when the plant operated near the pellet mill's rated capacity.

The electrical installation had to accommodate the 37 kW main motor as well as the feeder, conditioner, cooler and conveying equipment. The complete connected load was therefore higher than the pellet mill's main motor rating alone. Appropriate protection, grounding and safe access for cleaning and maintenance were part of the installation planning.

Operating Experience After 15 Months

Approximately 15 months after delivery, the plant owner reported that the pellet mill had accumulated around 2,000 operating hours. The machine typically ran eight hours per day, five days per week, although actual production time varied with maintenance and product changeovers.

The customer reported that the 3.5 mm starter die had lasted approximately 700 hours, the 4.0 mm finisher die around 900 hours, and the 4.5 mm layer die remained in service after approximately 1,000 hours. These figures reflected the plant's experience with its particular formulations and operating practices rather than guaranteed die-life intervals.

“Adding the pellet mill has given us another product to offer our poultry customers. We can continue producing mash feed while supplying pellets to farms that prefer them. The machine has been straightforward to operate, and we have gained a better understanding of how our ingredients affect pellet quality.

“Sunflower cake has been the main challenge because its quality changes between batches. When the fiber content is higher, we need to review the formulation and conditioning settings to maintain pellet durability. We are planning to expand our pelletizing capacity as demand develops.”

The operating experience also highlighted the importance of recording production rate, die condition, steam consumption and finished-pellet quality by formulation. Such records give the mill a practical basis for deciding when to replace wear parts and whether a second machine is economically justified.

Commercial Results and the Next Expansion Stage

With pelletizing added, the Morogoro factory could sell both mash and pelleted poultry feed. The owner reported that pellets achieved a selling price approximately 15% higher than the plant's mash product. That difference represented a market premium, not a guaranteed increase in profit: additional steam, electricity, cooling, maintenance and handling costs still needed to be included in the production calculation.

The company subsequently ordered a second SZLH320 to expand its output. It was also evaluating the possibility of entering cattle feed production in the future. Any such expansion would require a separate assessment of raw materials, pellet diameters, die specifications and demand from local livestock producers.

For a Tanzanian feed manufacturer, this staged investment approach can be useful when existing equipment remains serviceable and demand for pellets is still developing. Retaining the established grinding, mixing and bagging stages can reduce duplication, while the new pelletizing and cooling equipment provides the capability to introduce additional products.

Shipping Equipment to Morogoro, Tanzania

The SZLH320 feed pellet machine was shipped from Qingdao, China, to the Port of Dar es Salaam. After port handling and customs clearance, the equipment was transported by road to the customer's facility in the Morogoro region, approximately 200 km west of Dar es Salaam.

Before commissioning, the plant prepared the foundation, checked the electrical supply and arranged the material transfer points. RICHI provided equipment integration drawings, steam-system guidance, a recommended spare-parts package and remote commissioning support. These preparations helped the customer's team connect the pellet mill with its existing process equipment.

Choosing a Poultry Feed Pellet Mill for Tanzania

This project demonstrates how a poultry feed pellet mill for feed production line in Tanzania can support a feed manufacturer's transition from mash-only production to a broader poultry feed range. The SZLH320 provided the central pelletizing capacity, while the existing grinder, mixer and bagging line remained in service.

For feed mills in Morogoro, Dar es Salaam and other Tanzanian agricultural regions, selecting equipment begins with a realistic assessment of annual demand, operating hours, ingredient variability and available utilities. Buyers should also account for steam generation, cooling capacity and the handling equipment required to move mash and finished pellets safely through the plant.

RICHI Machinery supplies ring die pellet mills and related feed processing equipment for manufacturers upgrading existing facilities or developing new production capacity. The appropriate configuration depends on the required throughput, feed formulations, pellet sizes and the machinery already installed at the customer's site.