Pellet mill attachment

[Bill Barrett]

I had looked into it last year, even the big boys were having trouble with grasses. I know a guy that has a mill he's working on, 150 hp to make any volume of pellets so a 15 hp can't make much. I looked at the web site if I'm looking at it right that 15 hp engine is only worth 100 bucks? Or is the PTO stuff that expensive?
I also have been looking in to wood chip gasification. I have to chip anyway so it's not a big deal, but doesn稚 look economical to me on a small scale. Your going to spend more in diesel to run the equipment than if you just heat with LP, Nat., oil, etc. Electric motor now would be more efficient.

[shvl73]

Originally Posted by Bill Barrett

I looked at the web site if I'm looking at it right that 15 hp engine is only worth 100 bucks? Or is the PTO stuff that expensive?

From I've been told, the pto unit is adapted from the standard mill and needs the gears changed to run at 540rpm. If it were done stateside, it would be a little more costly. Might also be, just a whole lot more profit in that unit.

[charlz]

Originally Posted by shvl73

From I've been told, the pto unit is adapted from the standard mill and needs the gears changed to run at 540rpm. If it were done stateside, it would be a little more costly. Might also be, just a whole lot more profit in that unit.

The pic of that PTO unit does not show a gear box... looks like it goes straight in. Maybe they change some internal gears? Adapting the shaft might be a bit tricky depending on what it looks like on the pellet mill side. If you look at the one on eBay it lists the prices for the different models. The one with an engine is $560 more than the one without. The one without is just the straight mill, no pto shaft, adapters etc.

How good are Chinese diesel engines?

Apparently if you are using softwood a binding agent should not be needed. Might be needed if using hardwoods. I was wondering this morning if you could use the glycerin byproduct of biodiesel as a binding agent. Lo and behold someone has or has applied for a patent on it. Still not clear if it would be a good idea though, might not be that clean burning.

I'm definitely curious enough to run some numbers but the guy that normally advertises sawdust doesn't have an ad running this week.

[shvl73]

Originally Posted by charlz

The pic of that PTO unit does not show a gear box... looks like it goes straight in. Maybe they change some internal gears?

I think so, though not sure. I was told that it was done by a pellet Pro dealer.

[JerryG]

You can get this kind of mill very cheap used at farm equipment dealers a lot of times. It might be something to look into.
hammer mill

[dangerdoc]

Originally Posted by Kendrick

I was wondering if any one had messed with a pellet mill.
I found 1 at Portable mill

Im half way tempted to get one soon but would love to hear from some one that has one.

If you are using sawdust, you will need to buy a dryer. The sawdust has a very high moisture content and will not dry adequately in a pile.

If you are not using sawdust, you will need a hammer mill. before going to the dryer.

Hay would not need a dryer but you will need a hammer mill.

The pellet machine will go through dies quickly, you need to make sure that you will be able to replace them and get other parts.

After you make the pellets, you will need to cool and dry them before storing them.

Depending on your souce material, you will need to experiment to see if you need a binder.

[charlz]

Originally Posted by JerryG

You can get this kind of mill very cheap used at farm equipment dealers a lot of times. It might be something to look into.
hammer mill

The mill you see on these pellet press sites looks exactly like the old farm hammer mills to me. You see them sitting in fence rows here and there rusting away.

[Kendrick]

looks like Ill have to pester the farm to see what they are using and what binders they use.

[JerryG]

Originally Posted by charlz

The mill you see on these pellet press sites looks exactly like the old farm hammer mills to me. You see them sitting in fence rows here and there rusting away.

That's exactly what I thought when I pulled up that site above.

[charlz]

Originally Posted by dangerdoc

The pellet machine will go through dies quickly, you need to make sure that you will be able to replace them and get other parts.

How long is 'quickly' do you think? every ton of product? every 10 tons? Certainly a cost factor to be added in. I noticed both places have the dies advertised so I assumed you would likely need a spare set on hand.