Your TMR mixer is an integral part of your feeding program. By understanding how to best utilize your mixer, you’ll be able to achieve the optimum performance from your ration ingredients and obtain the maximum return for your machinery investment.

Troy Moen

Loading sequence is another important aspect of mixer performance. Ingredients requiring processing must be added first in the sequence and allowed sufficient processing time to achieve desired length. Grains and fine ingredients should be added early but following some amount of roughage in order to have enough time and volume to mix thoroughly.

We recommend mixing for three to five minutes (horizontal, reel and vertical mixers) at the rated RPM for your specific mixer after the last ingredient has been added.

Horizontal four-auger mixers:
Four-auger mixers equipped with knives on the bottom two augers are capable of processing limited amounts of long-stem hay, up to 20 percent of the ration. This style of mixer works by pressure – the augers force the feed forward and backward while “boiling” feed up and out toward the sides. This positive, forceful mixing action works very well with sticky, heavy commodities such as wet distillers grain.

Recommended loading sequence for horizontal four-auger mixers:

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  1. Long-stem hay
  2. Grains/dry premixes
  3. Corn silage
  4. Haylage
  5. Wet commodities
  6. Liquids

Reel mixers:
Similar to four-auger mixers, properly equipped modern reel mixers that use the open center Helix Reel can process up to 20 percent of the ration as long-stem hay whereas the standard reel can handle up to 10 percent.

The top and bottom augers work to level the load, transfer feed from the front to the rear and provide a constant, even flow of feed to the discharge door. A reel design gently tumbles the feed ingredients to create a light, fluffy ration. This tumbling action is very important in the proper function of reel mixers; therefore, this style of mixer is most susceptible to overloading.

Recommended loading sequence for reel mixers:

  1. Long-stem hay
  2. Grains/dry premixes
  3. Corn silage
  4. Haylage
  5. Wet commodities
  6. Liquids

Vertical auger mixers:
Vertical mixers, whether single- or twin-auger, are designed to have the capability to process rations using 100 percent long-stem hay. For producers who plan to process a high percentage of their ration using round bales, single-auger mixers tend to process faster than twin-auger mixers. Adding water while processing can help reduce the amount of time required to achieve the desired length of cut.

Twin-auger mixers work better for rations using at least some amount of chopped forage. Vertical mixers blend by pulling feed away from the exterior walls, moving it toward the center and raising it upward via the flighting on the auger. Vertical mixers do not work well with small batches; the augers must be covered with feed in order for these machines to mix properly.

We recommend the following loading sequence for vertical mixers:

  1. Long-stem hay
  2. Water (if necessary)
  3. Corn silage
  4. Grains/dry premixes
  5. Wet commodities
  6. Haylage
  7. Liquids

Using these general guidelines will help your mixer perform to the best of its ability. Proper selection of the right mixer to handle the feedstuffs on your farm is the first step. Use caution to avoid overloading (reel mixers) and follow recommended loading sequence to help assure the best possible performance from your mixer. PD

Troy Moen is a product specialist for Kuhn North America Inc.

PHOTO
Photo courtesy of Kuhn North America Inc.