High thermal transfer, hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) include elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) may also be of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). Structure (88, 90) is provided for delivery of heat exchange media (e.g., steam) into the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) and the hollow fighting (132, 134, 194). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes a forward, reverse pitch section (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to be used as complemental pairs as a part of twin screw processing devices (20), and are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the devices (20), without adding additional moisture.

A fodder mixing wagon, comprising a mixing container containing a mixing device, which is adapted to be driven in a mixing process of at least two fodder components, and at least one electronically operable sensor system having a head and used for determining fodder values of at least one fodder component, the head is arranged such that it is operable in the interior of the fodder mixture during the mixing process for determining fodder values of all loaded fodder components and/or the mixing accuracy of the fodder mixture.

A method and system are provided for preparing micro-ingredient feed additives for use in designated feed rations. A micro-ingredient system of the invention includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to control system components based on programmed commands corresponding to micro-ingredient batches to be prepared. Slide gate mechanisms are used to prevent loss of micro-ingredients delivered to a receiving receptacle of the system. During delivery of the micro-ingredients to the receptacle and during processing, the micro-ingredients can become airborne and subsequently lost. The slide gate mechanisms also provide controlled access to the receiving receptacle to prevent system errors such as contamination of ingredients in the receptacle, or improper batching of a prescribed micro-ingredient mixture to be delivered to a designated feed ration.

A feed mixer truck for mixing feed and for discharging mixed feed into an elongated feed bunk. The engine of the truck is mechanically connected to three hydraulic pumps which are hydraulically connected to a hydraulic motor for driving the drive wheels of the truck, which are hydraulically connected to a hydraulic motor for operating the feed mixer augers, and which are hydraulically connected to a hydraulic motor which operates a feed discharge assembly. A control is electrically connected to the motors to control the operation thereof.

A feed-mixing wagon includes a container for receiving feed. The container includes a bottom, and a peripheral wall which is closed off at a bottom end by the bottom. A mixing element is provided for mixing the feed to be accommodated in the container. The peripheral wall is provided with a wall covering which extends at least along a bottom, ring-shaped part of the inner surface of the peripheral wall. The wall covering includes a plurality of wall plate parts with upwardly extending side edges. Two adjoining side edges of at least two respective adjoining wall plate parts are clamped to the inner surface of the peripheral wall by clamping strips which overlap these adjoining side edges and which are attached to the peripheral wall of the container by means of detachable fasteners.

An extruder (20) is specifically designed for the production of animal feed products (e.g., aquatic feeds) containing substantial quantities of low-cost fibrous materials, such as rice byproducts, at high production rates. The extruder (20) includes an elongated barrel (22) with a screw assembly (24) within the barrel and an endmost extrusion die assembly (34). The screw assembly (24) includes an inlet screw assembly (42) and a processing screw assembly (44). The assembly (44) includes screw components (50-56) of differential pitch to present a long pitch inlet section (64) and a tight pitch discharge section (68). Materials passing through the screw assembly (24) are successively subjected to high levels of steam injection (STE) followed by high levels of friction and shear (SME), so that the STE/SME ratio is at least about 6/1.

In an apparatus for feeding animals including one or more feed dispensing containers from which the animals can take feed which are fed by supply ducts from a supply a device is provided which includes a feed supply duct portion arranged such that the feed falls through the feed supply duct portion under gravity. A drive member is mounted at the duct and includes a plurality of paddle blades of a wheel mounted for rotation about an axis of the wheel such that falling feed in the duct acts to drive the blades to rotate the wheel about the axis and a driven component driven by the wheel. The driven component is in most cases a dispenser for feeding a liquid or particulate additive material from a supply cartridge, which is mounted on a common housing forming the duct and containing the wheel, to an injection opening on the bottom of the housing for addition to the feed passing through the duct portion.

Feed mixer for shredding and mixing feed, in particular fibrous plant material, comprising a mixing container for receiving feed, wherein the mixing container has a base and a wall extending upwardly from the base, wherein the mixing container comprises a mixing auger arranged to be rotatable in the mixing container, wherein the mixing auger comprises at least one cutting knife, wherein the at least one cutting knife comprises a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments each comprises a blade edge, and wherein the segments are spaced from one another by recesses.

An auger for a vertical feed mixer with a lifting surface that is upwardly angled from an inner edge toward an outer edge. A fliting portion to form a part of an auger for a vertical feed mixer, the fliting portion including an outer edge that is positioned higher than a radially positioned inner edge. An auger for a vertical feed mixer that in rotation defines an hourglass shape. A magnet is included within the tub of the mixer.

Described herein is an exemplary torque sensing assembly for a feed mixer that includes, a frame of a feed mixer, the frame having a first frame portion and a second frame portion; a transmission having at least two speeds, a housing, an input shaft, and an output shaft, a load cell secured to a second frame portion of the frame; a mounting plate having a first side portion and a second side portion situated opposite the first side, the transmission secured by a plurality of fasteners to a top surface of the mounting plate, hinge rotatably connecting the first side portion to the first frame portion, and a load contact point situated in contact with the load cell, wherein a resultant torque is impartable to the housing to provide a downward force on the load cell, via the load contact point.