0.5-1T/H Shrimp Feed Crumbler in India

A Specialized Shrimp Hatchery in Coastal India

The client is a technologically advanced shrimp hatchery that supplies millions of post-larvae to farms across South India. Their business depends on the health and growth rates of their larvae, which are directly influenced by feed particle size and digestibility.

The purchase of a single pellet crumbler was a targeted investment in their core competency: larval rearing. They did not need a full crumbling line for bulk feed; they needed a precise, reliable machine that could operate in a clean, controlled hatchery environment and produce a consistent, fine-grade crumble feed from high-quality 1.5mm - 2.0mm starter pellets they could source locally.

This single machine represented a move towards vertical integration and quality assurance at the most critical point of their production cycle.

Material Processing & Equipment Selection

The input material is a high-protein, highly water-stable 1.8mm shrimp starter pellet. These pellets are produced by a trusted local feed mill and are easier to handle, store, and transport in bulk than the final micro-feed. The challenge is to crush these robust pellets uniformly into a fine powder/crumble without generating excessive fines (dust) or overheating the feed, which can degrade heat-sensitive nutrients.

For this highly specialized application, a standard double roller crumbler for poultry was insufficient. The client required the precision of the shrimp-specific model. After evaluating their daily feed requirement for their larval tanks, the RICHI SSLG25*140X (Shrimp) Three-Roller Crumbler was selected.

• Model: SSLG25*140X (Three-Roller, Shrimp-Specific)
• Power: 11 kW (Main) + 1.1 kW (Feeder) – Provides ample, controlled power for the precise crushing of small, hard shrimp pellets.
• Roller Configuration: Three rollers, each 25cm in diameter and 140cm in working length. The three-roll design ensures more uniform feeding and a gentler, multi-stage crushing action compared to a two-roll system, resulting in a higher percentage of the target particle size.
• Key Feature - "X" Type: This denotes the use of finer crushing corrugations on the rollers, specifically engineered to produce the 0.3-1.2mm particle size range essential for shrimp and fish larvae.
• Target Output: Capable of producing 0.5-1.0 tonnes per hour of premium shrimp feed crumble. This capacity perfectly matches the hatchery's batch processing needs, allowing them to produce fresh, high-quality feed on demand.

The Crumbler's Critical Role in Larval Nutrition

This single shrimp feed crumbler is the pivotal piece of equipment in their new feed preparation room. Its function is one of precise transformation:

1. Particle Size Optimization: It reduces the 1.8mm input pellets into a uniform 0.4-0.7mm crumble. This size is ideal for the mouthparts of Zoea and Mysis-stage shrimp, promoting high feed intake and reducing nutrient leaching in the water.
2. Nutrient Preservation: The controlled, corrugated roller crushing action is a cold process. It minimizes heat generation and friction, preserving the integrity of vitamins, probiotics, and other sensitive additives mixed into the base pellet.
3. Quality Consistency: By producing their own crumble, the hatchery eliminates batch-to-batch variability from external suppliers. They can test and adjust every batch to ensure it meets their strict standards before feeding.

The final crumbled shrimp feed is immediately bagged or used directly in the larval rearing tanks. This consistent, high-quality feed leads to more uniform larval development, higher survival rates, and ultimately, a more robust and valuable product for their customers—the shrimp farmers.

Logistics: From Factory to the Subcontinent

The pellet feed crumbler was manufactured with food-grade considerations and finished with appropriate coatings for a corrosive coastal environment. It was fully assembled, tested with similar material, and then carefully disassembled for shipment. All components were packed in seaworthy wooden crates. The shipment departed from Qingdao Port.

Given India's extensive coastline and the client's location on the east coast, the cargo was routed to Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh, a modern deep-water port close to the major aquaculture zones, facilitating a swift customs clearance and short inland transport.

Technical Advantages: Why the RICHI "X" Series Was Chosen

The client selected RICHI's specialized crumbler after comparing it with standard feed milling equipment. The decision was based on application-specific engineering:

• Purpose-Built for Shrimp Feed: The "X" designation was the foremost reason. Standard crumblers with coarse corrugations cannot achieve the fine, narrow particle size distribution (PSD) required for larval feed. The finer teeth on the RICHI rollers are engineered specifically for this task.
• Three-Roll Superiority for Uniformity: The three-roller design offers a significant advantage over double roller models. It provides two crushing stages and more consistent nip points, leading to a more uniform product with a higher percentage of usable crumble and less wasteful dust—directly improving their finished product rate.
• Robust Construction for Continuous Operation: The heavy-duty gearbox, precision-machined rollers, and rigid frame ensure stable, vibration-free operation. This is crucial for maintaining the precise roller gap settings that determine final particle size.
• Operational Simplicity and Hygiene: The simple, cleanable design allows the hatchery's staff to operate and maintain the machine easily. Quick-release features facilitate thorough cleaning between batches to prevent cross-contamination, a vital aspect of biosecurity in hatcheries.

The RICHI Partnership: Ensuring Precision from Day One

Our support was tailored to the technical nature of the application:

• Pre-Sales Particle Size Analysis: We reviewed the client's target PSD and provided test data from our facility showing the output distribution achievable with the SSLG25*140X.
• On-Site Installation & Calibration: A RICHI technician supervised the installation, laser-aligned the rollers, and calibrated the machine using the client's own 1.8mm pellets to achieve the exact crumble size they required.
• Comprehensive Operational Training: We provided hands-on training for setting roller gaps, adjusting feeder speed, routine maintenance, and safety procedures, empowering their team to run the machine independently.

Client Feedback: Measurable Results in the Hatchery

Four months after installation, the hatchery's production manager provided detailed feedback:

"Integrating the RICHI crumbler has been a game-changer for our larval rearing protocols. The setup was smooth, and your engineer's help with the initial calibration was invaluable. We are now processing our own crumble from trusted pellet sources. The consistency is remarkable—we get a perfect, granular powder with very little dust, exactly what we needed.

We've observed a noticeable improvement in larval activity and feeding response in the tanks since we started using the in-house crumble. Our survival rates from Zoea to Post-Larva have improved by a significant margin. The machine is straightforward to use and clean. For a hatchery like ours, where feed quality is everything, this double roller shrimp feed crumbler was not an expense; it was one of our best investments. It gives us control and consistency we never had before."

Conclusion: A Strategic Investment in Aquaculture's First Link

This project in Andhra Pradesh, India, illustrates how a single, precisely engineered machine can strengthen the entire foundation of a high-value aquaculture sector. The RICHI SSLG25*140X crumbler is more than just a feed processor; it is a tool for enhancing biological performance, reducing costs, and building resilience in the critical shrimp hatchery stage. It demonstrates RICHI Machinery's deep understanding of niche applications within the global feed industry.

Are you a hatchery, a feed mill serving the aquaculture sector, or a farmer needing precise feed sizing? The right crumbling technology can optimize feed efficiency and growth performance. RICHI Machinery offers a range of pellet crumblers, from standard double roller models to specialized shrimp and fish feed crumblers, designed for precision and reliability.

If your operation requires control over feed particle size, contact RICHI Machinery today. Let's discuss how our specialized crumbling solutions can meet your exact needs, just as we helped a leading hatchery in India secure a brighter future for its shrimp.