In modern breeding industry, feed mixer has become one of the indispensable important equipment. Whether it is a small family farm or a large-scale breeding enterprise, it is very important to choose a suitable feed mixer to achieve uniform mixing of feed and improve animal feeding rate and growth efficiency.
Common types of mixers on the market are mainly divided into horizontal feed mixers and vertical feed mixers. So, what is the difference between these two mixers? Faced with a variety of models, how should we choose? This article will explain in detail from multiple dimensions such as structural principles, applicable scenarios, mixing efficiency, maintenance difficulty, price differences, etc., to help you choose scientifically and use it with confidence!
Horizontal mixers are generally horizontal cylindrical or U-shaped trough structures, with a main shaft installed inside, and multiple sets of spiral ribbons or blades on the shaft, which rotate in the horizontal direction for mixing. Its mixing method is convection or spiral ribbon push mixing, which can evenly mix various powdered, granular, additive and other materials.
Common forms include:
Double-screw horizontal mixer
Single-shaft horizontal blade mixer
Horizontal mixer with crushing or weighing system
Vertical mixer is a vertical barrel structure with an internal central axis extending from bottom to top and equipped with rotating blades or lifting screw conveyors. The material enters from the bottom, is lifted to the top of the barrel by the blades or the spirals, and then falls naturally, forming a cycle of mixing, relying on gravity + mechanical push to complete the mixing process.
Common structures include:
Single-barrel vertical mixer
Multifunctional vertical mixer and crusher
Horizontal mixer: high efficiency and good uniformity
Due to the principle of reverse motion of horizontal double-screw belts or multiple sets of blades, the horizontal mixer has a wide mixing range, high mixing intensity, and a uniformity of more than 95%. It is suitable for complex feed solutions containing trace additives, premixes, and mixed particles and powders.
Vertical mixer: moderate, suitable for simple formulas
Vertical mixers have a long mixing time, and the mixing uniformity is generally 85%-90%. It is better for ground feed or mixing large quantities of single raw materials. However, when multiple ingredients, especially trace additives, are involved, the mixing effect is slightly insufficient.
Horizontal mixers are more suitable for medium and large farms
Because the horizontal structure can be customized with a large capacity (such as 500kg-3000kg/batch), the mixing speed is fast, the discharge is uniform, and it can efficiently cope with large-scale daily feed needs. It is widely used in pig farms, broiler farms, cattle and sheep farms.
Vertical mixers are more suitable for small farmers
Vertical models are relatively small in size, occupy less space, and have a simple structure. They are particularly suitable for family farms or experimental feed ratios. The single batch processing capacity is mostly 50kg-500kg, which is economical and practical.
Horizontal mixer: easy maintenance and cleaning
Because the structure can be opened, the interior is easy to observe and clean. Most models are equipped with side doors or bottom discharge ports, which enable fast discharge and less residue. The electronic control system is usually more intelligent and can be connected to weighing sensors and automatic batching systems.
Vertical mixer: simple structure but slightly difficult to clean
Vertical mixers have a simple mechanical structure and a low failure rate. However, due to the deep mixing barrel, it is not as convenient as a horizontal mixer when cleaning and replacing materials. There is a risk of material residue and cross contamination, especially when changing the formula.
For those who produce more than 1 ton of feed per day, it is recommended to give priority to horizontal mixers; for those who produce less than 500kg/day, vertical models can be selected.
The more types of feed and the finer the additives, the more horizontal equipment with high mixing uniformity is needed.
Horizontal mixers occupy a large area, and the installation and discharge direction need to be planned; vertical mixers have lower site requirements.
Horizontal equipment supports supporting weighing, conveying, and crushing systems, which can reduce manual operations and improve efficiency.
With the same capacity, horizontal machines are more expensive, but the user experience and production efficiency are also better; the return on investment is faster.
The selection of feed mixing equipment should be based on the actual farm scale, feed type, frequency of use and site conditions. Consider comprehensively to find the equipment that best suits your production mode. In general: users who pursue efficiency, uniformity, automation, and long-term stable use are recommended to choose horizontal feed mixers; those with limited budgets, simple operation, small demand or start-up farmers can choose vertical feed mixers. The right choice is the first step to successful farming. If you need to know more about specific models, quotation plans, or customized functions (such as weighing, mixing, and crushing integration), please contact us. As a professional manufacturer who has been deeply involved in the field of feed mixing equipment for many years, we are always committed to providing high-efficiency, high-stability, and intelligent mixing solutions for the majority of farming users. Whether it is a horizontal feed mixer suitable for medium and large farms, or a vertical feed mixer for small-scale farming, we can provide customized equipment configuration and selection suggestions based on the actual needs of customers, ensuring that every user can choose the most suitable, most worry-free and most cost-effective feed mixing equipment.
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