Alfalfa Pellet Machine
Alfalfa pellet machines excel at extruding lightweight materials like alfalfa into pellets. RICHI Machinery manufactures alfalfa pellet mills ranging from 0.3 to 30 tons per hour, widely used for producing ruminant feed for cattle and sheep. They are also used by customers to produce biomass combustion pellets, organic fertilizer, and bedding pellets.
If you’re also looking to leverage alfalfa pellets to unlock new profit opportunities, read this article to learn about complete alfalfa pelleting solutions.
What is an alfalfa pellet machine?
Alfalfa pellet machines are a type of ring die pellet machine. The equipment’s scientific design and superior materials enable continuous alfalfa pellet production, which is safe, stable, and has a low failure rate.
High-efficiency alfalfa pellet machine for sale
Many customers worry about pelleting alfalfa when processing it into pellets: alfalfa is lightweight and high in fiber, raising concerns about pelleting success and pellet quality. RICHI considered these issues from the initial design stage, equipping its alfalfa pellet machines with a forced feeding system, a larger pelleting hopper, and a high-temperature conditioning system. In Argentine alfalfa pelleting projects, the pellet formation rate reached 98%, while the dust content was less than 1%.
Of course, we understand that each customer’s raw material conditions, production needs, and pellet requirements will differ. Therefore, RICHI not only offers pellet mills with varying production capacities but also provides customized solutions and comprehensive after-sales service, meeting the needs of alfalfa pellet processing plants of all sizes.
0.3-30T/H capacity
4- 12 mm pellet
$10,000-$100,000
Currently, alfalfa pelletizers are not only operating in factories but are also stably producing pellets in 140 countries, including Argentina, Uzbekistan, and the United States. If you would like to see real-world case studies and videos, please contact our sales staff directly.
Alfalfa pellet machine related videos
Here are three videos of alfalfa pellet machine projects. These on-site videos will help you understand the machine’s operating status, the final pellet quality, and the overall production process more intuitively. More videos can be found on YouTube.
3-4T/H alfalfa feed pellet machine in Argentina
An Argentinian customer uses 100% alfalfa hay to process roughage for cattle and sheep, with pellet sizes of 6-8 mm. In addition to the machine, the entire feed production line also includes a grinder, dryer, cooler, and screening and packaging equipment.
Alfalfa pelleting machine trial run video
1-2T/H alfalfa feed pellet production line in Uzbekistan
The customer mixes alfalfa hay with corn and soybean meal to produce ruminant feed. A small alfalfa pellet machine balances cost and efficiency while ensuring stable pellet production.
Application of alfalfa pellet machines
As shown in the video above, alfalfa pellet machines can process not only whole alfalfa feed but also mixed alfalfa and grain feed formulations. Thanks to the versatility of alfalfa pelletizer machines, you can choose the most suitable feed formulation after evaluating quality and cost.
With suitable feed formulations, you can process alfalfa feed into cattle feed pellets, sheep feed pellets, horse feed pellets, rabbit feed pellets, and even combustion and bedding pellets. These pellets are nutritious, dense, and well-absorbed and digested by animals.
STEP 1
Cattle feed
STEP 2
Sheep feed
STEP 3
Rabbit feed
STEP 4
Horse feed
STEP 5
Animal bedding
Alfalfa pellet machine structure and components
RICHI alfalfa pellet machine is highly efficient and energy-saving. It uses a conditioning and extrusion process to turn loose alfalfa into compact feed pellets. Key components include a variable-frequency feeder, conditioner, forced feeder, pelletizing chamber, cutter, and Siemens motor.
Variable frequency feeder
This component ensures smooth alfalfa pelleting by adjusting the feed rate to prevent clogging and reduce material loss.
Anti-arching feeder
The anti-arching feeder has two relatively moving feed rollers that continuously break up the alfalfa, ensuring that the material enters the pelleting hopper smoothly.
Stainless steel conditioner
Alfalfa hay is high in fiber. Therefore, the conditioner is made of 304 stainless steel, which is highly wear-resistant and has a long service life.
Steam conditioning
Inside the conditioner, impellers continuously drive the material to mix evenly with steam. This not only effectively boosts sterilization efficiency but also enhances pellet binding capacity and forming performance.
Alloy steel extruded parts
The pressure roller and ring die are made entirely of industrial-grade alloy steel, resulting in a service life twice that of ordinary carbon steel.
ring die
The stepped die orifice design allows material to enter more easily, reducing discharge resistance. This not only increases output but also prevents the die orifice from cracking due to material blockage.
High-efficiency gearbox
High-precision gear transmission, 15% more efficient than belt-driven systems. No slippage occurs, resulting in lower energy consumption.
Siemens Motors
High efficiency and energy saving are the biggest features of Siemens motors. It can achieve an IE3 energy efficiency rating, consumes less power, and is very suitable for 24-hour continuous production.
Integrated frame
The alfalfa pellet machine is constructed from a single welded steel plate. This design prevents deformation and loosening, allowing for low-noise operation.
Safety pin
In the alfalfa pelleting process, if jamming or overload occurs, the safety pin will automatically break, causing the main switch to shut off to prevent damage to critical components.
How do alfalfa pellet machines work?
Alfalfa pelleting is a continuous process, mainly involving three steps: feeding, extrusion, and cutting. It is highly automated, effectively saving labor costs.
The working principle of the alfalfa pellet making machine is based on the dual effects of mechanical extrusion molding and thermoplastic deformation.
The ground material is fed into the conditioner through a variable-frequency feeder, where it undergoes high-temperature and high-pressure conditioning to become a paste-like substance, which then enters the pelletizing chamber of the alfalfa pellet machine for sale.
Inside the pelleting chamber, pressure rollers continuously compress alfalfa into the die holes, forming long strips of material. After being cut by a cutter, the resulting pellets are discharged through the outlet.
The cutter and ring die control the length and diameter of the pellets. You can provide our experts with detailed information about your final product requirements, and they will adjust the equipment parameters to perfectly suit your production needs.
Specific specifications of the alfalfa pellet machine
Below are the six standard models of alfalfa pellet machines, offering production capacities ranging from 0.5 to 8 tons per hour. For small-scale alfalfa pelletizing, you might choose our compact 0.2–1 t/h model, which is energy-efficient and features a simple structure. If you are aiming for commercial-scale production, our 1.2–8 t/h machines are an ideal choice; they offer stable, high-efficiency operation and support continuous production.
Alfalfa pellet mill for sale
Naturally, we also accommodate higher-capacity requirements (exceeding 10 t/h), typically by utilizing multiple units running in parallel to minimize the risk of downtime.
| Model | CZLH320 | CZLH350 | CZLH420 | CZLH520 | CZLH678 | CZLH768 |
| Main Motor Power (kW) | 22 | 37 | 90 | 132 | 200 | 250 |
| Arch-Breaking Feeder Power (kW) | 2.2 | 2.2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Forced Feeder Power (kW) | 0.75 | 0.75 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Die Inner Diameter (mm) | 320 | 350 | 420 | 520 | 673 | 762 |
| Finished Particle Diameter (mm) | 4~12 | |||||
| Output (T/H) | 0.5-0.6 | 1.0-1.2 | 1.8-2.0 | 2.8-3.0 | 4-5 | 6-8 |
(In actual operation, variations in raw material conditions can lead to fluctuations in output. Before formally developing a solution, we can test your raw materials and use detailed data to create a more targeted design, thereby ensuring that the expected output is achieved.)
Alfalfa Pellet Machine for Different Alfalfa Forms
Alfalfa pellet machines have specific requirements regarding the moisture content, length, and impurity levels of the raw materials. For complex raw materials, we typically recommend conducting a material test before finalizing the solution; based on this, we determine the production line configuration to ensure the quality and molding effect of the final particles.
Why Make Alfalfa Grass into Pellets?
Alfalfa is a high-quality leguminous forage rich in protein, serving as a valuable source of crude fiber and protein for livestock such as cattle and sheep. However, if not stored properly after harvesting, it is prone to mold growth and nutrient loss.
Processing alfalfa into pellets using a pellet mill not only improves its palatability but also—through the stages of grinding, drying, and cooling—reduces its moisture content and volume, making it ideal for storage, transportation, and long-term feeding.
Fresh alfalfa
Fresh alfalfa has a moisture content of up to 70%–80%. Controlling moisture levels is a critical aspect of processing this raw material. It is necessary to use drying equipment to reduce the moisture content to about 12-15%. Otherwise, excessive moisture can easily lead to die clogging and reduced output.
Alfalfa Hay
Customers typically store alfalfa hay in bales or in a loose state. At this stage, attention must be paid to material length and the presence of impurities. We first used a baler to break up and loosen the bales. After removing impurities, use a hay shredder to shred the alfalfa hay into 3-5mm powder.
Alfalfa meal
This is an ideal raw material for pelleting. Provided the moisture content of the alfalfa meal meets specifications, the production process requires no drying or grinding steps. Please note that the grass powder may contain impurities such as dust and pebbles, which we will remove using a powder cleaning sieve.
Global Case Studies of Alfalfa Pellet Machines
RICHI alfalfa pellet machines are suitable for a wide range of facilities, including feed mills, farms, alfalfa growers, organic fertilizer plants, and biomass fuel plants. Below, we showcase real-world application cases of our alfalfa pellet making machines in countries such as the United States, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia. You may find a case similar to your own situation that serves as a useful reference.
3–4 t/h alfalfa pellet production machine in Australia
An Australian client is planning to invest in the construction of a livestock feed production line. The total investment for the equipment is approximately US$250,000. Key equipment includes a grinder, bale breaker, dryer, alfalfa pelletizer, cooling and screening system, and an automatic bagging and weighing unit.
- Project Type: Cattle and Sheep Feed Processing Project
- Pellet size: 6-8mm
- Main Raw Material: 80% Alfalfa hay, oat hay, corn, soybean meal, premix
- Production Scheme: This project primarily utilizes a processing workflow involving initial grinding followed by pelletizing. The final hourly output remains stable at 3.5–4 tons. After two years of operation, the client contacted RICHI again in 2025 to request an upgrade to expand the production line’s capacity.
6–8 t/h alfalfa pellet production equipment in Türkiye
The client is a feed manufacturing company planning to install a new animal feed production line within their existing facility to enhance product quality and output. Since the alfalfa raw material entering the line is already in powder form, we omitted the grinding stage and instead incorporated an automated batching system.
- Raw materials: Corn, alfalfa meal, soybean meal, cottonseed meal, premix
- Installation time: 60 days
- Investment cost: $360,000
- Main equipment: Automatic batching machine, mixer, grass pellet mill, cooler, screener, bagging scale
11–12 t/h machine for making alfalfa pellets in the USA
The U.S. client is an agricultural export company that owns extensive alfalfa cultivation grounds. To enhance export efficiency, the client plans to process loose alfalfa raw material into dense pellets for sale in the global feed market, thereby diversifying its revenue streams.
- Main raw material: 100% alfalfa
- Pellet size: 6–8 mm
- Production setup: This is a fully automated feed production line featuring a centralized PLC control system, which effectively reduces labor costs. Additional equipment includes a bale breaker, grinder, alfalfa feed pellet mill, cooling and screening unit, pulse dust collector, and automatic bagging scale.
4–5 t/h Alfalfa Pellet Machine in New Zealand
The challenge with this production line is the client’s need to produce forage pellets with different feed formulations simultaneously to meet the dietary requirements of various livestock. As a result, raw material metering, mixing uniformity, and formula-switching efficiency are under greater demand.
- Key ingredients: Fresh alfalfa, ryegrass, oats, white clover, molasses, and vitamin premix.
- Production capacity: The client selected the CZLH520 alfalfa pellet machine. Output varies with the proportion of forage; when the forage content is increased to 70%, the output is 4.2 t/h, whereas reducing the forage proportion allows the hourly output to reach 5.2 t/h.
- Main equipment: Cattle feed pellet machine, dryer, grinder, cooler, molasses addition system, and bagging scale.
15–20 t/h Alfalfa Pellet Machine in South Africa
A large-scale commercial feed mill primarily produces compound feed. Instead of opting for 100% alfalfa, the client incorporates a certain amount of alfalfa into a grain-based mix (comprising 70% grains) to serve as a source of protein, fiber, and natural nutrients.
- Raw materials: Alfalfa hay, corn, soybean meal, sunflower seed meal, molasses, wheat bran, and premix.
- Investment cost: US$1.5 million.
- Production plan: To ensure continuous production, the client purchased raw material storage silos with a 50-ton capacity, thereby mitigating the impact of raw material price fluctuations on procurement costs.
How to Make Alfalfa Feed Pellets
The alfalfa pellet machine is a key stage—but not the entirety—of alfalfa pellet production. The entire pelleting process is continuous and can be divided into the following seven stages:
Clearing alfalfa
This stage primarily removes impurities and foreign objects from the alfalfa raw material, increasing pellet yield while preventing contaminants from damaging the machinery.
01
Raw material crushing
Over the past 30 years, RICHI has delivered numerous projects spanning livestock feed plant projects, aquaculture feed plant projects, pet feed plant projects, biomass pellet plant projects, and organic fertilizer pellet plant projects.
02
Drying raw materials
The ultimate goal is to grind long-fiber alfalfa into a powder suitable for pelleting. The grinding process may require one or two passes, depending primarily on the size and condition of the alfalfa.
03
Mixing materials
When the raw material used in the alfalfa pellet machine is a mixture of alfalfa and other materials, a mixer is required to achieve uniform blending of the materials.
04
Making Alfalfa pellets
High-temperature steam softens the fibrous structure of the alfalfa and increases the material’s adhesiveness, facilitating better pellet formation. Additionally, the high temperature (70–90°C) eliminates pathogens within the material, making it healthier for animal consumption.
05
Cooling and Screening
Pellets produced by the pellet machine are hot and soft, making them unsuitable for storage and packaging. Therefore, a cooler must be used to cool them down, followed by screening to remove fine particles.
06
Packaging section
The cooled and screened finished pellets will undergo a series of processes—weighing, filling, and sealing—using RICHI’s fully automated packaging system.
07
Auxiliary equipment for alfalfa production lines
RICHI offers more than just high-performance alfalfa pellet machines. You can find a complete range of alfalfa pelletizing equipment here, including machinery for cleaning, drying, grinding, cooling, mixing, and packaging. You can purchase these units individually or have our engineers design an optimized production setup for you.
cleaning machine
shredder
Dryer
Mixer
Cooler
Screening machine
Packaging scale
Alfalfa cleaning machine
Alfalfa shredder
Drying equipment
Mixer equipment
Cooler
Screening equipment
Automatic Packaging Scale
Why Choose RICHI?
By choosing RICHI Machinery, you work with a manufacturer with over 30 years of experience in equipment production and gain a reliable long-term partner. We provide affordable and transparent pricing, along with efficient and comprehensive after-sales service, so you can carry out your feed production with confidence.
Customized design
RICHI has a dedicated R&D and design team to provide you with customized services. We will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your requirements regarding raw materials, production capacity, and pellet type to ensure that all equipment configurations and production processes meet your actual needs.
High-quality equipment production
We own two modern intelligent manufacturing bases and operate a strict quality control system. Every piece of equipment meets international first-class standards. The company has passed BV certification, ISO9001 International Quality Management System Certification, European CE Certification, and Swiss SGS Certification, among others.
Excellent after-sales service
After the Alfalfa pellet machine arrives, our professional engineers will assist with installation and commissioning. They will also provide one-on-one operation training until your team can operate it proficiently.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a high-performance and durable alfalfa pellet machine is no simple task—you may encounter many questions along the way. Here, we address some common questions regarding RICHI Machinery’s pellet machines for sale to help clarify your decision:
Can the alfalfa pellet machine process other materials, such as corn stalks or wood chips?
Absolutely. Our equipment is multi-functional and versatile. You only need to replace the ring die and adjust the parameters to produce forage pellets, straw pellets, biomass pellets, and more. Please note: Different materials require specific configurations for compression ratio, mold aperture, and cutter length. RICHI will provide you with a complete parameter table and operational training.
How much does an alfalfa pellet machine cost?
The price of a single machine is between $7,500 and $100,000. prices increase with higher production capacity. If you are planning to set up a complete alfalfa pellet production line, the specific quote will depend on various factors, such as equipment configuration, the level of automation, and civil engineering requirements. Please share your specific needs with us, and we will provide detailed figures after an assessment.
Can you provide videos and customer cases of the alfalfa pelleting machine operating in our region?
Yes, as long as your required output for the alfalfa pellet mill is not less than 500 kg/hour, our engineers can tailor an economical solution for you. We will optimize the process and remove non-essential equipment (such as automated packaging systems or boilers) to fit your budget, while ensuring core pelletizing performance. Many customers in Argentina and Indonesia who chose our alfalfa pelletizer for sale started with 1–1.5 ton/hour production lines and recouped their investment within 1–2 years.
My budget is limited. Can you customize a small-scale production line for a startup?
We can design a small-scale production line for you. Regarding the alfalfa pellet making machine, its direct starting current is approximately 6 times the rated current. Therefore, we recommend using a diesel generator rated at 150 kVA or higher to power it.
What is the required moisture content of alfalfa raw material before pelleting?
Regarding the machine, the optimal moisture content for alfalfa before pelleting is 14%–16%. If your raw material has high moisture (e.g., fresh alfalfa can reach 50%), we will add a rotary drum dryer to reduce it to 15%–18% before fine-grinding. For dry alfalfa (moisture <20%), it can be directly crushed and pelletized. For smooth operation of the alfalfa pellet machine for sale, moisture control is crucial—too high can clog the die holes, and too low will reduce output and increase dust.
