8-10T/H Ultrafine Feed Mill Grinder in France

From the ultrafine grinder table, the SWFL170 (220kW) was selected. Why this model?

• High capacity: 8.0-10.0 tons/hour – double their old grinder's output
• Fine grinding: 80-200 mesh (75-180 microns) – meets their specifications
• Multi-species: One machine for poultry, swine, and aquaculture feeds
• Energy efficiency: Lower specific energy consumption (kWh/ton) than smaller machines
• Classifier wheel: Ensures consistent particle size across all products

Jean chose the SWFL170 ultrafine feed mill grinder because their existing grinder was the bottleneck. The new machine would replace the old one entirely – not an addition.

What He's Processing – French Feed Ingredients

France has a diverse agricultural base. Jean's mill uses:

• Wheat (local – Brittany grows wheat): 30-40% – primary energy source
• Corn (imported or from southern France): 20-30%
• Soybean meal (imported through Montoir or Le Havre): 15-20%
• Rapeseed meal (local – France grows rapeseed): 10-15% – cheaper protein
• Sunflower meal (local): 5-10%
• Fish meal (imported for aquaculture feed): 5-10%
• Minerals and vitamins: 2-3%

The challenge is grinding different ingredients to different specifications:

• Poultry feed: 150-200 microns
• Swine weaner: 150-200 microns
• Swine grower: 200-300 microns (less fine)
• Trout feed: 100-150 microns (very fine)

The SWFL170 ultrafine feed mill grinder's classifier wheel allows Jean to adjust fineness by changing wheel speed.

Installation – Replacing the Bottleneck

The SWFL170 ultrafine feed mill grinder arrived at the Port of Montoir-de-Bretagne – a major port for agricultural products on the Atlantic coast, located about 150km from the mill.

Shipping time from Qingdao to Montoir is about 35-40 days. The machine was packed in a 40-foot container with:

• SWFL170 grinder main unit (220kW motor)
• Classifier wheel assembly (18.5kW)
• Feeder (2.2kW)
• Spare hammers and screens (heavy-duty alloy for high-volume operation)
• Cyclone and airlock discharge
• Installation manual and electrical diagram in French

Customs clearance in Montoir took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.

Installation took three weeks. The old grinder was removed. The SWFL170 weighs about 12 tons – significantly heavier than the old machine. Jean's team poured a new 300mm reinforced concrete foundation with vibration-damping mounts.

The electrical hookup required 400V, 50Hz three-phase (French standard). The 220kW motor required a 500-amp breaker – a significant electrical upgrade.

The air system required ducting to a large baghouse filter. At 8-10 tons/hour, dust collection is critical. Jean installed a new baghouse with 2,000 square meters of filter area.

The first test run was with wheat for poultry feed (target 150-180 microns). The classifier wheel was set to 2,700 RPM. At full load (9.5 tons/hour), a sieve test showed 93% passing through 80 mesh (180 microns). Excellent.

Performance – Throughput Doubled

After six months of operation, Jean documented the following results:

Old ultrafine grinder (before):

• Capacity: 4.5 tons/hour average (rated 4.0-5.0)
• Shifts required: 2 shifts (16 hours) to meet 70-ton daily requirement
• Specific energy: 22 kWh/ton
• Maintenance downtime: 80 hours per year
• Particle size consistency: ±30 microns variation

SWFL170 (after):

• Capacity: 9.2 tons/hour average (rated 8.0-10.0)
• Shifts required: 1 shift (8 hours) to meet 70-ton daily requirement
• Specific energy: 18 kWh/ton (18% reduction)
• Maintenance downtime: 40 hours per year (50% reduction)
• Particle size consistency: ±15 microns variation (50% improvement)

Production impact:

• Daily output: Increased from 70 tons to 92 tons (same 8-hour shift)
• Overtime eliminated: Saved €45,000 per year in shift differentials
• Energy savings: 4 kWh/ton × 45,000 tons/year = 180,000 kWh/year × €0.12/kWh = €21,600

Quality improvements:

• Pellet durability (poultry): Increased from 92% to 95%
• Water stability (trout): Increased from 90 minutes to 120+ minutes
• Customer complaints: Reduced by 70%

Customer Feedback – Jean's Experience

Here's what Jean said after six months (paraphrased from a conversation, translated from French):

"Our old grinder was the bottleneck. We were running two shifts just for fine grinding. The machine was always at capacity. When it broke down, we were in trouble.

"The SWFL170 changed that. We now run one shift. The machine processes 9-10 tons per hour – double what we had before. We have spare capacity for growth.

"The classifier wheel gives us the flexibility to run different products. Poultry feed at 2,700 RPM. Trout feed at 3,000 RPM. Swine grower feed at 2,200 RPM (coarser). One machine, multiple products.

"A few operational notes: The hammers wear – about 1,200-1,500 hours at this volume. We bought two spare sets with the machine. The classifier wheel bearings need greasing every 200 hours – we do it every Monday. The air balance is critical at high throughput – we monitor differential pressure continuously.

"Would I recommend this machine? Yes. For any large feed mill, the SWFL170 offers the capacity and flexibility to grow."

Why High-Capacity Ultrafine Grinding

Large feed mills have different requirements than small mills. Here's why the SWFL170 was right for Jean:

• Economies of scale: One large machine is more efficient than two smaller machines. The SWFL170 uses 18 kWh/ton vs 22 kWh/ton for their old machine – an 18% reduction.
• Labor savings: One shift instead of two saves €45,000 per year in shift differentials.
• Flexibility: The classifier wheel allows Jean to produce different fineness levels for different species without changing machines.
• Future growth: At 9.2 tons/hour, Jean has 20% spare capacity for production growth without adding shifts.

The Classifier Wheel – Multi-Species Flexibility

The SWFL170's classifier wheel allows Jean to adjust fineness for different species:

Poultry feed (150-180 microns):

• Classifier speed: 2,600-2,700 RPM
• Output: 9-10 tons/hour

Swine weaner (150-180 microns):

Same settings as poultry

Swine grower (200-250 microns):

• Classifier speed: 2,200-2,300 RPM
• Output: 10-11 tons/hour

Trout feed (100-150 microns):

• Classifier speed: 3,000-3,100 RPM
• Output: 7-8 tons/hour (finer grind reduces throughput)

Changeover between products takes 15-30 minutes – adjusting classifier speed and air balance.

Alloy Hammers – High-Volume Wear Parts

At 9 tons/hour, the SWFL170 processes about 1,500 tons per month. Hammer wear is significant.

Jean's hammer life:

• Wheat and corn: 1,200-1,500 hours (8,000-10,000 tons)
• With alloy protection (RICHI standard): 1,500-1,800 hours (10,000-12,000 tons)

He bought two spare sets with the machine. When hammers wear, he swaps the set (2 hours) and sends the worn set for rebuilding locally.

The Hydraulic Cover – Quick Access for Maintenance

The SWFL170 has a hydraulic cover opening system. At 9 tons/hour, Jean's team changes hammers every 3-4 months. Without hydraulic assist, opening the 500kg cover would require a crane. With hydraulic assist, one person can open it in minutes.

Jean said: "The hydraulic cover saves us 2 hours every time we need to access the grinding chamber. That's 6-8 hours per year. Not huge, but every hour counts."

Built-In Sensors – Predictive Maintenance

The SWFL170 includes sensors for:

• Main bearing temperature
• Machine vibration
• Classifier wheel speed
• Door interlock

Jean monitors these sensors from his control room. If bearing temperature rises, he can schedule maintenance before failure. If vibration increases, he knows to check hammer balance.

In six months, the sensors have prevented two potential breakdowns.

Shipping – Qingdao to Montoir-de-Bretagne

The SWFL170 shipped from Qingdao to Port of Montoir-de-Bretagne, France – a major port for agricultural products on the Atlantic coast.

Shipping time from Qingdao to Montoir is about 35-40 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 coast.

The machine was packed in a 40-foot container. Customs clearance in Montoir took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.

The truck transport from Montoir to Brittany was about 150km – roughly 2 hours.

What Jean Learned – Lessons for Other Large Feed Mills

After six months of running the SWFL170, Jean shared several observations:

Lesson 1: One large machine is better than two smaller ones. Lower energy cost, lower labor cost, less floor space, simpler maintenance.

Lesson 2: The classifier wheel gives you flexibility. Don't buy separate grinders for different species. One machine with adjustable classifier speed can handle multiple products.

Lesson 3: Air balance is critical at high throughput. Jean installed differential pressure sensors to monitor air flow. The sweet spot is 3,500-3,800 m³/h.

Lesson 4: Keep spare hammers. At 9 tons/hour, hammers wear every 3-4 months. Jean keeps two spare sets on the shelf.

Lesson 5: Use the sensors. The bearing temperature and vibration sensors can prevent catastrophic failures. Jean checks them daily.

What RICHI Provided Beyond the Machine

RICHI provided several services that helped Jean get the SWFL170 operational:

• French documentation: The manual and electrical diagram were provided in French.
• High-capacity training: A RICHI technician spent 3 days on-site training Jean's team on high-throughput operation, air balance, and maintenance.
• Spare parts kit: RICHI recommended a spare parts kit based on Jean's volume – including two sets of hammers, screens, and classifier blades.
• Remote monitoring setup: RICHI helped Jean integrate the machine's sensors into his existing control system.
• Energy optimization: RICHI provided guidance on optimizing classifier speed and air balance for minimum energy consumption.

Is an Ultrafine Feed Mill Grinder Right for Your Operation?

For a large commercial feed mill requiring high throughput and multi-species flexibility, the SWFL170 is the top choice.

Consider the SWFL170 crusher machine if:

• Your capacity requirement is 8-10 tons/hour
• You produce feed for multiple species (poultry, swine, aquaculture)
• You need flexibility to change particle size
• You want to consolidate to one large machine instead of multiple smaller ones

Consider a smaller model (SWFL130 or SWFL150) if:

• Your capacity requirement is 3-5 tons/hour

For Jean's large feed mill, the SWFL170 was the right investment. It doubled throughput, eliminated a shift, reduced energy consumption by 18%, and paid for itself in 18 months.

Final Thoughts

If you're running a large commercial feed mill, don't settle for undersized grinding equipment. A bottleneck in fine grinding affects your entire production line.

The SWFL170 ultrafine feed mill grinder delivers 8-10 tons/hour at 150-200 microns. The classifier wheel provides flexibility for different species. The sensors enable predictive maintenance. The hydraulic cover simplifies maintenance.

For large-scale feed production, the math is simple: higher throughput = fewer shifts = lower labor costs = better margins.

RICHI offers documentation in French, high-capacity training, spare parts kits, and remote support. Contact RICHI Machinery through the website with your capacity requirement, target fineness, and species for a recommendation. Tell them about your production volume – they can help you size the grinder for maximum efficiency.