A system for driving a reel mixing tool, including a unit structure, a bottom output shaft, an output gearbox, a reel mixer driveshaft, a reel mixer gearbox, a flexible coupling, and a reel mixing tool, is provided. The unit structure supports the bottom output shaft which is connected to the output gearbox, the output gearbox is connected to the reel mixer driveshaft, the reel mixer driveshaft is connected to the reel mixer gearbox, the reel mixer gearbox is directly coupled to the reel mixing tool by the flexible coupling, allowing the bottom output shaft to transfer power through to the reel mixing tool.

An auger for a vertical feed mixer with a lifting surface that is upwardly angle 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 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.

Preloading a plurality of feed types of a feed mix for livestock in a mixing plant. Feed types are conveyed towards a mixer. Bunkers selectively discharge one of the feed types on a loading conveyor. A controller controls a preloading weight of the feed types to be discharged onto the loading conveyor. Feed types are individually discharge onto dump spots of the loading conveyor at the bunkers and terminate when a predetermined total weight is reached or interrupt when a maximum preloading capacity is reached or feed reaches the end of the loading conveyor. Feed types may be individually discharged from the bunkers onto the dump spots and the main component loaded into the mixer by a loading vehicle, such that the weight of the main portion and the weight of the supplemental portion add up to a programmed total weight of the main component.

Coned augers for bulk mixers are described. The coned augers comprise first end and second end an auger post having a first end opposite a second end; fighting extending along and about the auger post, the pitch oriented to move bulk material generally from the first end toward the second end during operation of the auger; a coned section along the auger post, the coned section comprising a first cone protruding about the periphery of the auger post, the first cone having a tapered end opposite a wide end. Mixers comprising the coned augers are also described.

A solid material mixer for mixing two or more solid materials does not require the use of external power sources and moving parts. The mixer includes at least a first chamber or tank, at least one second chamber or tank, one or more main valves and one or more mixing and homogenizing zones. The device is used in a mixing method.

The invention provides a feed mixer for mixing feed including a mixing container for receiving feed, wherein the mixing container has a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom, wherein the mixing container includes at least one mixing auger rotatably arranged in the mixing container, wherein the at least one mixing auger is rotatably drivable about a vertical axis, characterized in that the pitch of the at least one mixing auger increases upwardly.

A rotor-stator cooling system addresses the problem of heat generation and viscosity in feedstock mixers by utilizing a cooling dome which receives recirculating cooling water. The dome is attached above a rotor-stator mixer assembly having rotor and stator elements. Cooling water provides for temperature control to feedstock being drawn into the dome, as well as the feedstock circulating within the mixing tank containing the balance of the feedstock outside the dome. The rotor-stator assembly is cooled as well. In order to increase the feedstock viscosity range in the dome, an auger within a tubular member is added to the drive shaft above the rotor-stator assembly. This enables the velocity of slow-moving feedstock to increase, forcing it into the rotor-stator assembly located below. The feedstock is then further accelerated by the rotor element and forced through the stator element.

A control system for mixing materials for livestock feed including a container that receives the materials, agitators that mix the materials in the container, a driveline that drives the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, a power source that provides an input speed at an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source and having a hydrostatic loop to provide a speed ratio between the input speed and the output speed, a plurality of sensors positioned between the power source and the agitators that provides mixing signals commensurate to mixing parameters, and an electronic control unit configured to receive the mixing signals, extract mixing parameter values from the mixing signals, and actuate the continuously variable transmission and adjust the speed ratio based on the mixing parameter values to enhance efficiency of the mixing of the materials.

Apparatus and methods for food production including a food preconditioner (228) operable to heat and partially pre-cook food ingredients, and a twin screw extruder (20) operable to further cook the preconditioned ingredients to create final food products. The extruder (20) includes a pair of hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) having 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) is also of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes forward, reverse pitch sections (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the extruders (20), without adding additional moisture.