Straw hammer mill

Types of Straw Hammer Mill

The main kind of straw hammer mill is a straw pulverizing mill. Because each type has special features, selecting these makes it easier to find the most suitable one for the customers.

• Electric Straw Hammer Mill

  The electric straw hammer mill uses an electric motor for operation. The mills are typically very powerful and suited for congested operations. They provide a high production rate, are performant, and need little to no maintenance. The electric hammer mill is the one to get for all constant milling in constant conditions.

• Diesel Straw Hammer Mill

  The diesel straw hammer mill is the perfect mill when electricity is troublesome or non-existent. These mills are portable, powerful, and efficient; therefore, they are suited for farming or remote work sites. The costs of fuel are less than those for electric hammer mills, but the noise level and maintenance requirements increase.

• Flat Die Straw Pellet Mill

  Flat straw pellet mills use flat die and rollers to convert straw into particles. The model is small, portable, and easy to use. These mills are ideal for home use or small farms. Although the production rate is low, it offers the benefit of low energy consumption.

• Straw Grinding Hammer Mill

  This straw grinding hammer mill is designed to effectively grind straw into minute particles. The machine includes hammers and sieves to produce several particle sizes. This hammer mill is important for producing animal feeds or in biomass fuel pelleting.

• Industrial Straw Hammer Mill

  Industrial straw hammer mills are electric or diesel-driven machines used in congested operations. The hammer mills are designed to handle large quantities of straw for big businesses. The equipment is fabricated with durable components for operational longevity.

Specifications & Maintenance of Straw Hammer Mill

Several specifications exist with a straw hammer mill. Knowing these helps understand how the mill works and why proper care is so important.

Key Specifications

• The size of the feeding inlet determines the size of the materials that can be fed into the mill. Small feed inlets help provide fine grinding, whereas big inlets allow for coarser grinding.
• The size of the screen holes influences particle size. Bigger screen holes give a bigger particle size, while smaller screen holes give a smaller one.
• The number of hammers included in the mill affects the grinding efficiency. More hammers mean more efficient grinding.
• The speed of the hammers, which is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), affects the grinding fineness. Higher speeds lead to finer grinding.
• The engine power influences the kind of materials that can be milled and the milling rate. A more powerful mill can handle harder and denser materials and mill quicker.
• The construction material of the hammers determines how long the hammers will last. Tougher materials reduce wear, increasing the mill lifespan.
• The mill weighs 200 kg and measures 120 x 80 x 140 cm.

Maintenance Tips

Adopting the following maintenance measures reduces machine breakdown and optimizes its functionality and efficiency:

• Frequent Lubrication: Frequent lubrication reduces the wear and tear of the parts. Lubricating all moving portions helps in their smooth and safe functioning.
• Inspection of Screens: One must often check the pulverizing screens for any signs of wear. Change them when they begin to wear, so the machine does not have to work extra hard. The wear screens might lead to particle dimension inconsistency or even milling inefficiency.
• Hammer Check: Regularly check the hammers for general wear and tear. Replace worn-out hammers as they become ineffective in their work. Operating a straw hammer mill with worn-out hammers increases energy consumption.
• Clean Residue: Cleaning the mill residues is important. Leaving residues might lead to rust or even a fire in hammer mills, so always clean them.
• Adjust Bearings: Examine the bearings often and lubricate them. This helps in the reduction of bearing wear and helps in the extended life of the mill.
• Monitor Belt Tension: When maintenance is being done, check and adjust belt tension. Proper belt tension ensures efficient power transmission. Less tension means reduced efficiency, while more tension causes belt or motor damage.
• Examine Vibration: Check any unusual vibrations from any part of the machine. These might be signs of misalignment or even close contact.

Commercial Uses of Straw Hammer Mill

A straw hammer mill has many uses in a business setting. The machine is essential to make many products, increasing its commercial appeal.

• Agricultural Feed Production

  A straw hammer mill can be employed to grind straw into fine particles for livestock feed. The ground straw makes a nutritional fiber component for animal feed, particularly horses and cows. The conduciveness of the straw hammer mill improves feed consistency and quality and helps mix other feed components well during feed production.

• Bedding Material for Livestock

  Grinding straw using a straw hammer mill achieves reduced-size straw that can be used in animal bedding. Still, the bedding is dust-free, absorbent, and comfortable for animals, specifically in dairies and animal stables. Hammer-milled straw bales help to provide better space utilization because of the compaction feature.

• Bioenergy Production

  A straw hammer mill is used to grind straw for biomass pellet production. Biomass pellets offer renewable energy sources. The ground straw achieves uniform particle sizes for better pelletizing. Besides, improved hammer mill portability allows for the easy collection and milling of straw near the production sites, reducing operational costs and boosting production rates.

• Compost and Mulch Creation

  One use for a straw hammer mill is to grind straw for compost and mulch creation. The comminuted straw accelerates decomposition when added to compost piles. The small particle size also helps improve the structure and moisture retention of the soil when applied as mulch in gardens and farms. Moreover, hammer-milled straw reduces air spaces between particles, therefore promoting faster microbial activity in composting.

• Packaging Industry

  A straw hammer mill can be used to produce cellulosic fibers from straw. This helps in the making of eco-friendly paper and fiberboard in the packaging industry. Using straw hammer mills in the packaging industry helps in creating sustainable alternatives to plastic or wood-based materials. They also facilitate straw utilization for raw material production, reducing environmental impacts while enhancing the packaging materials' strength and lightweight characteristics.

How to Choose a Straw Hammer Mill

Some important factors arise when choosing straw hammer mill machinery. These factors include the following:

• Production Capacity: The objective of the milling operation is to determine the required production capacity. Small-scale hammer mills are suitable for small-scale operations. Large-scale industrial mills are suitable for large-scale operations.
• Power Source: Power source selection depends on the available energy sources and operational requirements. An electric hammer mill is the one to select for constant milling, as it will operate continually and does not emit noise. Hammer mills powered by diesel engines are ideal for remote locations without electrical supply. Also, choose diesel for operations requiring portability and quick energy of high output.
• Milling Efficiency: The efficiency of the hammer mill is affected by the design of the hammers and the size of the screen. Choose the hammer mills with adjustable screen sizes so they can give the desired particle sizes. Mills with higher hammer speeds provide fine particles.
• Maintenance Requirements: Assess maintenance needs before choosing one. The hammer mills that are easy to maintain will offer easy access to the hammers and screens for replacement. Less servicing machinery decreases operational downtime.
• Material Compatibility: Different hammer mills can handle different material types. Ensure the mill can handle the characteristics of straw. This includes its density and fibrous nature. Some hammer mills have specific features like reinforced components to handle fibrous materials.
• Granule Size: Granule size is important depending on the intended use. For instance, animal feed requires forage particle size. Biomass fuel requires powder particle size. A mill with adjustable screens should be selected.
• Portability: Consider whether the mill being purchased needs to be portable. Some are lightweight and portable, while others are extreme and heavy use. This factor affects the location used.
• Noise Levels: Electric hammer mills produce less noise than diesel-powered ones.

Q & A

Q1. Does the straw hammer mill need to be covered?

A1: A straw hammer mill should be sited properly, protected from adverse weather, and given a good basis.

Q2. What size of a straw hammer mill is suitable?

A2: The size of a straw hammer mill depends on the production capacity required.

Q3. Are electric motor-driven hammer mills more efficient than diesel ones?

A3: Electric hammer mills are probably more efficient because they are less powerful.

Q4. Can a straw hammer mill be used for other materials apart from straw?

A4: Yes. A straw hammer mill can be used to mill agricultural residues like corn stalks and wood sawdust.

Q5. Is it easy to maintain a straw hammer mill?

A5: Maintenance of the straw hammer mill is relatively easy.