seed crimper

[57JD320S]

Posted this question before but did not get much of a response. I am looking to build a seed crimper for rolling oats for horse feed. I want to run it off of the PTO but have not had much luck finding anything on the internet anywhere. Any ideas? I as thinking of making it on a carryall by building a platform and using rollers that are adjustable for width and a hopper to load on top. I could dump into a barrel underneath. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. any past attempts by someone would be even better.

Let me know thanks.

 

[BHD]

First I I havee not built one, but hav considered to build on a number of times,

the problem I have had is finding something to make the rollers out of,

most all the ones I have looked into factory have a minimal and most have 8" rollers, and I am guessing there case hardened to keep the groves/ribs in some form of workability for a longer time, (it appears many of the rollers are cast of some type,

and the rollers are not cheap (IMO) if bought from a manufacture, but I would think that would be the best,


I have had thoughts of if finding some very heavy wall pipe, to turn ends on it and put a shaft through the center of it, and possibly filling it with concrete,

then cutting groves on it with the mill,

I have looked at some parts lists and they used segmented rollers, that were disks about 2" thick,

the other thought I have had is to see if I could find a used set of rollers that some feed mill considered wore out,

(but since there resharpenable, I am not sure why they would "wear out" are they down past the wear area, (I realize that in time they would get too small), but it would sure look like there would be a lot left to them and would think there would be a easy way to use up a lot more of them,

some mills run the rollers at a slightly different speed to be more aggressive, (one tooth off on the gears that tie them together),

for basic Ideas I would look at manufactures web sites, and look up patents,

Google Patents

Batch Mixers, Ribbon Mixers & Paddle Mixers by H.C. Davis Sons Manufacturing Co., Inc. : Roller Mills Page
Roller Mill Specification

there are some Internet DIY rollers/crimper's plans for home brewers, using concrete rollers and even wood, but I do not think they would be very good for most feed type uses,

I ended up making a burr mill, for my needs, but the grain I was wanting to grind was very small, http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/179278-burr-mill-grist-mill.html

 

[OldMcDonald]

By necessity I have to build most things I need - absolutely no 2nd hand market for anything here, and new mostly has to be imported with duties, taxes etc etc making it prohibitive. Having said that, I would never attempt to build the piece of equipment you want. If you cannot buy a used one cheaply, then look for an alternative system. If feeding oats only then there is no need to crimp for any livestock. Other grains should be broken in my unhumble opinion of feeding most animals you can think of for over half a century, but there are alternatives to rolling for them all.

 

[forgeblast]

You may want to look at diy homebrewing kits that sell grain rollers. many will let you buy the rollers, and you can add a hopper and what ever drive wheel you need.
Or google homebrewing grain roller, and see what people have done.
Some people have cast the roller out of concrete, I bought my roller online i cannot remember from who. It has an adjustable gap and hopper built in i run it off a drill, but you can add a gear to run it off an electric motor.

 

[OldMcDonald]

Just as an addition - if you are still determined to roll oats you might find that a grape crusher will work too. I have not tried it, but have cracked beans of various sizes with my crusher. The extra work spreads the cost of an essential piece of equipment used for two days a year!!