cassava pellet machine
Introduction to the cassava pellet machine
Cassava, a high-starch energy feed ingredient, is frequently used in animal husbandry. However, fresh cassava has a high water content, making it prone to mold and spoilage during storage. Furthermore, cassava contains natural anti-nutritional substances like cyanogenic glycosides. Direct consumption by animals can easily lead to illness or death.
Now, cassava pellet machines can better utilize the benefits of cassava. Through high-pressure extrusion, it transforms loose cassava into dense, compact pellets. During this process, steam conditioning softens and gelatinizes the cassava starch. The resulting pellets not only have a better taste but are also more easily digested and absorbed by animals, directly contributing to their weight gain.
More importantly, cassava feed pellet machines can also produce cat litter, requiring only adjustments to configuration and technical details. We can tailor a pelleting solution to your specific needs.
In Brazil, Thailand, Vietnam, and other regions, they also use cassava alcohol residue to produce biomass fuel pellets. These are sold as a clean energy source for industrial boilers, district and residential heating. You can tell us your production needs. As an equipment manufacturer with 30 years of experience in pelleting, we are confident that we can design a pelleting system that will satisfy you.
What materials can a cassava pellet machine process?
Cassava pellet machines are highly adaptable to various raw materials. They can process almost any type of cassava. However, due to significant differences in moisture content, starch content, and fiber structure among cassava raw materials, we will make specific adjustments to the equipment configuration and parameters to ensure optimal pellet-forming results.
In addition, before formal granulation, for raw materials with excessive moisture content or substandard size, we generally recommend pretreatment, typically including drying, pulverizing, and other steps. Our professional team will develop the best solution based on your raw material formulation.
•Fresh cassava chunks
- Raw materials: Cassava chunks, cassava roots
- Application: Animal feed
Fresh cassava tubers typically have a moisture content exceeding 60%. Feeding them directly into a pellet mill in this state can easily cause mold blockage, reducing yield. At this point, the moisture content of the cassava can be reduced to below 15% by air drying or using professional drying equipment. Practice has shown that pelleting yield can be 20%-40% higher when the cassava tubers are in their dry state.
• Cassava residue
- Raw materials: Starch residue, alcohol residue
- Application: Biomass fuel, organic fertilizer
This is a low-cost, high-fiber raw material. It contains fiber, residual starch, and organic components, making it a suitable source of roughage. When processing feed, cassava residue exhibits significant fluctuations in moisture content and has a loose fiber structure. We generally recommend equipping the pellet mill with a conditioning system to thoroughly soften the fibers and residual starch, thereby improving the material’s cohesiveness.
• Tapioca flour
- Raw materials: Dried cassava flour, cassava starch, cassava residue powder
- Application: Cat litter
Powdered raw materials are a high-carbohydrate energy source. With a starch content of 85-90%, it can be a good substitute for corn, and its unit price is lower, resulting in a better profit margin. From a pelleting perspective, cassava flour is an ideal pelleting raw material. After steam heating, its high starch content fully exerts its binding effect, thereby improving the pellet formation rate. In actual production, manufacturers add cassava starch as an auxiliary ingredient to various feed formulations to increase yield.
•Cassava above-ground biomass
- Raw materials: Cassava stems, cassava leaves, cassava vines
- Application: Ruminant feed
This part is a byproduct of cassava harvesting. It can be used as a source of roughage for ruminants such as cattle and sheep. The crude protein content inside cassava leaves can reach 15%-20%, far exceeding that of some major pasture grasses, thus supplementing the protein needs of animal diets to a certain extent. These raw materials have a high overall fiber content, requiring a higher compression ratio during pelleting to promote pellet formation with stronger extrusion pressure.
Technical Features of Cassava Pellet Machines
RICHI understands that every customer’s raw material formula is different. To adapt to the different physical properties of different parts of cassava, the cassava pellet machine is made of more wear-resistant materials and has a more flexible structure. This ensures stable and efficient pelleting regardless of the raw material’s condition.
- Firstly, our equipment can produce feed pellets of different sizes from 2 to 12 mm. For customers who need to produce a variety of feed products and specifications, this can save the cost of frequently changing equipment.
- Our feeder, conditioner, and discharge port are all made of wear-resistant stainless steel, resulting in a longer service life.
- The feeder has a frequency conversion system, which can adjust the feeding speed, allowing customers to try more raw material formulas without worry.
- To improve pellet formation rate, our feeder features an extended design. This means the starch in the raw materials has more time to gelatinize. The resulting pellets smell better and are more palatable to animals.
- For worn parts such as pressure rollers, ring dies, and cutters, we use 42CrMo steel. This is an industrial-grade alloy steel with high wear resistance.
- Cassava pellet machines are highly flexible, and the distance between the cutter and the ring die is adjustable. In other words, you can not only obtain pellets of different diameters, but also change the length of the pellets at any time.
- Gear drive improves efficiency by 15% compared to belt drive.
- Siemens motors are available in 4P, 6P, and 8P configurations to meet diverse production needs.
- The machine adopts a modular design, making it simple to operate and easy to maintain.
Working principle of cassava pellet machine
Cassava pellet production is a continuous process, mainly involving three stages: feeding, conditioning, and pelleting. Cassava pellet making machines are highly automated. You simply set the parameters initially, and then you can wait for the high-quality pellets to be produced.
The crushed and dried cassava flour is fed into the conditioner via a feeder. Here, high-temperature steam promotes the denaturation of the starch in the cassava, thereby improving the material’s plasticity.
Then, it is subjected to strong extrusion by a ring die and pressure rollers. The originally loose material is formed into a cylindrical strip. Finally, a cutter cuts it into uniform granules of the desired length.
What are the advantages of using cassava pellet machines to produce pellets?
With the right raw material formula, cassava pellet machines can produce not only high-quality feed pellets but also fuel pellets, organic fertilizer pellets, and cat litter pellets, helping you to fully expand your market reach. Currently, cassava animal feed pellets remain the most mainstream application of this equipment. The advantages of feed pellets will be discussed below.
Better digestion
Cassava is a high-starch food. However, raw starch is in a crystalline state, which is not easily broken down by animal enzymes. The temperature in a conditioner can reach 70-90 degrees Celsius, effectively breaking down the starch and turning it into a paste, making it easier for animals to digest.
Reduce food waste
Compared to feeding livestock fresh cassava or cassava flour directly, pelleted feed effectively improves feed intake and palatability. The pellets, formed through high-pressure compression, are less prone to breakage, effectively preventing feed waste. Furthermore, high-temperature conditioning enhances the flavor of the cassava, making it more appealing and palatable for animals, thus reducing picky eating.
More hygienic
Most bacteria lose their activity at 60 degrees Celsius. The temperature generated during granulation is much higher. This means that most pathogens in the raw materials are essentially eliminated during this process. Furthermore, the warm and humid environment effectively locks in the nutrients in the raw materials, thus promoting better animal growth.
Convenient for storage and transportation
After pelleting, the volume of cassava feed will be reduced by one-third. This is undoubtedly good news for feed producers who need to store and transport feed on a large scale. Storage and logistics costs per unit area are significantly lower. Furthermore, the moisture content of pellets after pelleting and cooling can be reduced to below 13%, making them less prone to mold and effectively extending their shelf life.
Cassava pellet machine models and parameters
We offer a variety of cassava pellet machines to meet different production capacity needs. If you can’t find the right equipment here, please contact our sales staff directly. We provide customization services and can tailor a solution to your specific requirements.
| Model | SZLH250 | SZLH320 | SZLH350 | SZLH420 | SZLH508 | SZLH558 | SZLH678 | SZLH768 |
| Main Motor Power (kW) | 22 | 37 | 55 | 110 | 160 | 185 | 250 | 315 |
| Feeder Power (kW) | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
| Modulator Power (kW) | 1.5 | 4 | 4 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Die Inner Diameter (mm) | 250 | 320 | 350 | 420 | 508 | 558 | 673 | 762 |
| Finished Pellet Diameter (mm) | 2~12 | |||||||
| Output (T/H) | 1.0-1.5 | 3-4 | 5-6 | 10-12 | 15-16 | 20-22 | 30-33 | 38-40 |
Case Study of Cassava Pellet Machine
— Richi Machinery —
RICHI Machienry has successfully delivered cassava pellet machines and pelleting lines to over 140 countries and regions worldwide. Its superior performance and efficient processing capabilities have earned it praise from numerous clients. Below are some typical case studies for your reference.
1-2T/H cassava pellet making machine in Ghana
Ghana is a major cassava producer in West Africa. Many small cassava processing plants in the region generate large quantities of cassava peels, which are often discarded. The client is a local agricultural cooperative serving over 300 livestock farmers. During the dry season, local sheep and goats commonly face feed shortages. Therefore, the client wants to establish a small-scale feed processing plant to process the free cassava peels into feed pellets, thereby reducing the cost of purchasing feed.
- Raw Materials: Cassava peels, corn bran, molasses (to improve feed palatability)
- Pellet Diameter: 4-6mm sheep feed pellets
- Main Equipment: Crusher, mixer, SZLH250 cassava pellet mill, cooler, baler
- Project Cost: US$26,000
1T cassava cat litter pellet mill in Thailand
The client is a new pet supplies manufacturer. Because Thailand is a major global cassava producing region, the client wanted to leverage local raw material advantages to build a cassava-based environmentally friendly cat litter pellet production line. The client targeted the Thai and Asian markets. To enhance market competitiveness, the client emphasized that the produced pellets should have excellent water absorption, clumping ability, and low dust content.
- Raw Materials: Cassava starch, cassava fiber, a small amount of plant binder
- Pellet Diameter: 2-4mm
- Equipment: Crusher, mixer, cat litter pellet machine (with conditioner), dryer, cooler, screening system, automatic packaging machine
- Finished Product Quality: After production commences, the pellet formation rate will reach 97%, the dust content will be less than 2%, and it will absorb water quickly within 3-5 seconds without scattering.
5-6T/H cassava pellet machine in Brazil
Previously, the client primarily produced powdered compound feed, supplying regional ranches and small to medium-sized farms. However, with increasing market demand for standardized feed, coupled with the growing disadvantages of powdered feed in storage, transportation, and feeding, the client wanted to comprehensively upgrade their existing production line to establish a standardized cattle feed pellet production line.
A significant challenge in this project was ensuring a seamless integration between the old and new systems. The client already possessed a powder system integrating crushing, mixing, and packaging. To achieve a smooth transition from powder to pellet mills, we installed a buffer silo between them, ensuring a uniform and stable feed rate.
- Raw Materials: Dried cassava flakes, corn flour, soybean meal, wheat bran, premix
- Pellet Diameter: 6-8mm cattle feed pellets
- New Equipment: Cassava pellet press, cooler, buffer silo, automatic baler
10-ton cassava pellet machine in Thailand
This feed production line boasts excellent continuous production capabilities. The system, controlled by a PLC intelligent system, can track and monitor each stage. If a machine malfunctions, the system will quickly issue an alarm, helping maintenance personnel restore production in the shortest possible time. Furthermore, an automated packaging system is used in the packaging stage. This enables continuous output, automatic metering and packaging, reducing manual intervention and ensuring consistent weight for each batch of finished products. Thanks to this highly automated system, only 3-4 operators are ultimately required for the entire line.
- Raw Materials: Dried cassava, cassava residue, soybean meal, rice bran
- Particle Diameter: 4-8mm
- Equipment: Crusher, twin-shaft paddle mixer, cassava pellet machine, cooling and screening system, automatic packaging system, PLC system
Complete cassava pellet production line
For feed producers aiming for continuous production, simply installing a cassava pellet machine is far from sufficient. Pre-processing and post-processing stages are often required to ensure pellet quality meets standards and production is efficient and stable. So how do you determine the production process and equipment? First, you can familiarize yourself with the standard process for a feed production line. Second, if you want a more precise production plan, the best approach is to directly contact a professional manufacturer. They will conduct an on-site assessment and tailor a design to your specific needs, avoiding wasted capacity or equipment incompatibility issues.
Raw material preparation and cleaning
You need to prepare the raw materials according to production needs, and you must ensure that the raw materials are free from mold and spoilage. If the raw materials contain impurities, you can configure a cleaning device.
Crushed raw materials
For larger cassava chunks or dried cassava, we recommend using a grinder to break them down into fine powder. This will facilitate subsequent pelleting.
Mixing
Different feed requirements necessitate different ingredient formulations. A mixer can thoroughly blend premixes, grains, and proteins, ensuring balanced nutrition in every pellet.
Cassava pelleting
The number of conditioning layers required may vary depending on the animal being processed. For example, a single-layer conditioner is sufficient for poultry and livestock feed. Fish and shrimp feed, which have higher requirements for feed maturation and water resistance, generally use double- or triple-layer conditioners.
Cooling system
The main equipment used in this section is the cooler. It utilizes the relative flow of cooling air and material to rapidly cool and shape the particles, preventing them from molding or breaking.
Packaging System
Finally, the packaging scale accurately weighs the granules and bags them. During storage, it is important to keep the finished granules in a well-ventilated, dry place to prevent mold or pests.
Why Choose RICHI?
By choosing RICHI Machinery, you work with a manufacturer with over 30 years of experience in animal feed 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.
Excellent after-sales service
After the cassava pellet machine arrives, we will carry out professional commissioning and acceptance. Our technicians will repeatedly commission the equipment in each production section to ensure the equipment operates up to standard. Additionally, if you are unfamiliar with our equipment, RICHI technicians will provide one-on-one on-site training until your team can operate the entire production line independently.
Customized design
RICHI has a dedicated R&D and design team to provide you with customized services. We offer over 200 products to meet all types of chicken feed production needs. In addition, we provide full-process design services, including site planning and equipment layout. Whether you are new to the feed industry or already operating a mature production line, just share your requirements with us, and we will deliver a tailored solution based on your actual situation.
High-quality equipment production
The production stage is the core link of the entire project implementation. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions. You can also contact us at any time for answers.
We are a small farm in Vietnam and would like to buy a cassava pellet machine to directly press feed. Is that possible?
Yes, but the requirements for raw materials are quite strict.
If you already have crushed and dried raw materials, then using a pellet mill alone is perfectly feasible.
However, if your raw materials include fresh cassava or wet residue, feeding them directly into the pellet mill may cause the machine to clog the mold or the pressure rollers to slip, affecting the pellet forming effect.
We recommend that you allow them to air dry naturally first, or use a professional drying equipment and crusher.
I have a cattle fattening farm in Brazil with 5,000 head of cattle. We use cassava as pellet feed. Is it nutritionally adequate?
In fact, sufficient nutrition mainly depends on the rationality of the feed formulation. Cassava itself is a high-starch energy source. Theoretically, as long as attention is paid to the formulation and the amount of cassava used, it can basically replace carbohydrates in feed.
However, its protein and mineral content is insufficient, and these functional nutrients are precisely the key to the growth and weight gain of beef cattle.
Therefore, in practical applications, cassava is generally not used as the sole or high-proportion ingredient. It is often combined with soybean meal, mineral premix, and crude fiber ingredients to maintain nutritional balance.
I’m planning to invest in a cassava cat litter production line. Our factory already has a cat food pellet production line. What are the key differences between a cat litter production line and a cat food pellet line? Can some equipment be shared?
The overall process flow of a cat litter production line is similar to that of a food production line. However, some equipment configurations and key parameters may need to be adjusted.
For example, cat litter pellets require strict control over water absorption and dust. Therefore, a screening machine is typically used to rigorously screen the pellets for dust. In addition, a higher compression ratio is usually used to produce cat litter pellets, ensuring that the resulting pellets are harder and do not break.
How much does a cassava pellet machine cost?
The price of this equipment ranges from $10,000 to $100,000. However, the actual price may vary depending on production volume and configuration.
