Research on the Influence of Mixer Design Parameters on the Quality of Feed Mixture Preparation

In connection with the transition of livestock farming to market principles, a long-term national program was developed aimed at increasing milk and beef production, reducing the cost of production, improving its quality, and comprehensive intensification of livestock farming. The main objectives of the program are to form a reliable feed base, increase its productivity and yield of grain and fodder crops, introduce modern feeding technologies, prepare feed for feeding, produce highly nutritious feed mixtures, and widely use complex mechanization and automation of production processes on farms and livestock complexes. Successful implementation of technical and breeding progress in high-yield milk and beef production primarily involves providing livestock with a sufficient amount of high-quality and biologically complete feed. Such rations must be balanced in terms of the content of organic nutrients, minerals, biologically active components, trace elements and micronutrients in accordance with the planned productivity, while maintaining the necessary level of vital activity and physiological state of the animals. A generalized analysis of traditional machines and technical means for preparing feed mixtures for cattle showed that the existing mixers do not fully provide the necessary quality indicators in the manufacture of wet feed mixtures and have a number of significant shortcomings. In particular, the designs of mobile mixers are characterized by exceeding the regulatory indicators of specific metal content by 1,5-2 times, and energy consumption for driving the working elements by 3-4 times. Such significant shortcomings significantly limit the possibilities of their effective use on cattle farms. The article considers a systematic approach to the technological process of mixing various components, which is presented in the form of a deterministic model of the functioning of a batch feed mixer at all stages of its operation - from loading raw materials to obtaining and unloading the finished mixture. Based on the conducted research, a technological scheme of a paddle mixer is substantiated, the design of which includes a housing with a loading neck and an unloading screw. Along the working chamber, flat blades with an appropriate pitch are rigidly fixed on the supports, ensuring mixing of the components. The lower part of the supports is equipped with radial fingers for loosening the compacted masses of the mixture in the housing. The blades are installed at the right and left angles of inclination of their working surface relative to the shaft axis, which contributes to intensive and uniform mixing. Experimental studies have shown that the developed and substantiated technological scheme of the combined flat-blade feed mixer provides effective preparation of balanced complete feed mixtures for cattle to the degree of homogeneity established by the regulations. During the studies, rational parameters of the mixer operation were determined: blade width - 45 mm, angle of inclination to the shaft axis - 50°, mixer shaft rotation frequency - 90 rpm, duration of the mixture formation process - 7 min. Taking into account the specified parameters, the design of the mixer provides a level of homogeneity of the feed mixture at the level of 92%.