Description
An animal feed mixer for sale in Kenya blends feed ingredients and premixes into one uniform ration. A well-mixed batch gives every animal the same share of energy, protein and minerals. This page explains the horizontal and vertical types, the capacity and power figures, and the five checks to make before you order.
What an Animal Feed Mixer Does on a Kenyan Farm
The machine combines grain, cake, minerals and premix into a homogenous mix. In practice, efficient mixing is the difference between a balanced ration and one that varies from scoop to scoop.
Poor mixing leaves nutrients unevenly distributed. For example, a mineral premix can settle in one corner of the batch. As a result, some animals receive too little of an additive while others receive too much. A mixer reduces that variation, because the augers lift and fold the material until the batch is uniform.
The job changes with the feed. A dairy unit mixes silage, maize meal and concentrate. A poultry feed mill blends finer ingredients. Therefore, the type and size of the mixer follow the ration you make, not the other way round.
Horizontal and Vertical Animal Feed Mixers
Two layouts dominate the market, and each suits a different farm. The horizontal mixer uses a tub with a central shaft and counter-rotating augers. The vertical mixer uses one or two upright screws that lift feed from the bottom to the top.
| Type | Mixing action | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal | Counter-rotating augers fold the batch along the tub | Large herds, molasses and fats, high output | Larger footprint and higher power draw |
| Vertical | Upright screws lift and drop the material | Medium farms, bales, compact sheds | Not suitable for wet ingredients; lower uniformity |
Horizontal units handle molasses and fats well, because the augers keep the sticky material moving. They also mix large batches quickly, which suits a big dairy herd. However, they need more power and more floor space.
Vertical units are compact, cheaper to run and easy to move on a pickup. They handle round or square bales with little chopping. Instead, their limit is wet material: the upright screw cannot blend a sloppy ration evenly, so keep this type for dry ingredients.
Animal Feed Mixer Parts and How They Work
Five assemblies do most of the work. The base frame carries the load. The material box holds the batch, and its angled inner wall keeps material from sticking. The auger and spiral blades move the feed. The power system turns the auger, and the discharge gate releases the finished mix.
The drive matters as much as the drum. Horizontal mixers use a geared motor, a chain drive or a belt drive. A chain will not slip, while a belt softens the load shock and runs more quietly. Therefore, ask which drive the unit uses and check that the guard covers it.
The discharge gate is the part buyers overlook. A hydraulic gate with a control valve lets you open the outlet gradually. In contrast, a gate that sticks or leaks wastes feed and slows every batch. Open and close it once before you pay.
Animal Feed Mixer Capacity and Power
Capacity is quoted in two ways, and the difference matters. Batch capacity is the weight the drum holds, usually 500 kg to 2,000 kg on the models described here. Hourly output is what the machine produces in an hour, quoted from 250 kg/h to 2,000 kg/h, with larger units available on order up to 10,000 kg/h.
Power follows the batch size. Small units run on a 1.5 kW motor, while the largest horizontal mixers in this range use up to 15 kW. A single-phase motor suits a small shed with a steady supply. A three-phase motor is the usual choice above that, because it carries a heavier load without straining.
Match the mixer to your busiest week, not your average one. If you mix twice a day for a dairy herd, a unit that only just covers today’s batch will be too small within a season. A little headroom costs less than a second machine.
Five Checks Before You Buy an Animal Feed Mixer
Run these five checks before you compare prices. Each one changes the machine you need.
- Batch size. Weigh the largest ration you mix in one session and compare it with the drum’s effective volume. Do not buy on the hourly figure alone.
- Horizontal or vertical. Choose horizontal for molasses, fats and large batches; choose vertical for dry rations and compact sheds.
- Power supply. Confirm the motor size and whether it is single or three phase. Then check that your supply can start it.
- Build and wear parts. Inspect the auger, gearbox, bearings, seals and discharge gate. Ask for the price of a spare auger and gate before you order.
- Service and manual. Confirm the unit arrives with a manual and a wear-parts list. Ask who services it in your county.
Mixing Uniformity and Moisture Limits
Published figures put horizontal uniformity near 99.5% on dry materials, against about 90% for a vertical mixer. Those figures assume a correct load and a dry mix. They fall once the batch is overfilled or the material is wet.
Moisture is the usual cause of a poor mix. Horizontal units described here are rated for materials below 15% moisture. Vertical mixers are not suitable for wet ingredients at all. Therefore, keep wet by-products out of a vertical machine, and dry the batch before mixing if it is damp.
Fats and molasses are different from water. The horizontal mixer handles them because the augers keep the sticky material moving. In contrast, a vertical screw can ball the feed around the auger, so choose horizontal for those rations.
Loading, Mixing Time and Discharge
Overloading strains the motor and lengthens the mix. In practice, keep the batch at or below the drum’s effective volume. An underloaded drum also mixes poorly, because the augers cannot fold a very shallow bed. Fill to the maker’s stated range.
Mixing time depends on the speed and the ingredients. Too short a mix leaves variation; too long a mix wastes power and can damage fragile material. Start with the time in the manual, then check uniformity across the batch before you settle on a routine.
Discharge is the last control point. Open the gate fully, and watch the flow. A partly open gate can leave material in the drum, while a worn gate leaks during the mix. Clean the gate track after each session, then close it before the next load.
Animal Feed Mixer Maintenance Routine
Empty the drum after each session and brush out the corners. Do not leave feed sitting in the mixer overnight, because damp feed hardens around the augers and gate.
Grease the points the manual lists, usually the drive bearings, universal joints and gate linkages. Check the seals around the auger and the gate, and replace a worn seal before it lets material into a bearing. Also check the belt or chain tension every week.
Finally, inspect the auger and blades for wear. A worn auger lengthens the mix and leaves more residue, so replace it as a set. Test the discharge gate and the emergency stop before you restart the machine, then listen for a new rattle during the first batch.
Animal Feed Mixer Price and Availability in Kenya
Four things drive the price of a mixer: the type, the batch capacity, the motor and the build. A vertical unit with a small motor costs less than a horizontal unit of the same batch size. Prices also move with steel and freight, so a figure quoted last season is not a quote today.
This listing does not carry a fixed price, because a mixer is built to the batch and power you need. Send your largest batch, the ingredients you mix and your power supply. We will then confirm the model and the current price.
Do not choose on price alone. A cheap mixer with a thin auger and a light gate will cost more in wear parts and downtime than a heavier unit. Compare the auger, gearbox and gate first, and the price second.
Where to Buy an Animal Feed Mixer in Kenya
Eunidrip supplies farm machinery from Nakuru. For a mixer, tell us the batch size, the ingredients and whether you have single-phase or three-phase power. We will then confirm the unit that fits your feed volume.
If you are still weighing types, our buying guide to animal feed mixers in Kenya sets out six quality checks, the capacity and power figures, and how molasses changes the machine you need.
Call 0728 163329 for a quote, or send the details through our contact page. You can also see the chaff cutter for sale in Kenya and the chaff cutters for sale in Eldoret that share the same feed-shed work, or browse the farm machinery category.
Feed preparation usually starts before the mixer. Our hammer mill guide covers grinding grain and cake, and the feed chopper guide covers chopping fodder. Together, they prepare the material that the mixer then blends. For background on ration uniformity, the total mixed ration article describes the same goal on a larger scale.
Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Feed Mixers
What does an animal feed mixer do? It blends grain, cake, minerals and premix into one uniform ration, so every animal receives the same nutrients.
Should I choose a horizontal or vertical mixer? Choose horizontal for molasses, fats and large batches. Choose vertical for dry rations, bales and a compact shed.
What size of animal feed mixer do I need? Weigh the largest batch you mix in one session. Then compare that weight with the drum’s effective volume, and use the hourly output as a second check.
Can an animal feed mixer handle molasses? A horizontal mixer can, because the augers keep the sticky material moving. A vertical mixer is not suitable for wet ingredients.
What power supply does it need? Units in this range use motors from 1.5 kW to 15 kW. Confirm whether the motor is single or three phase before you buy.
How long should one batch take? It depends on the mixer speed and the ingredients. Start with the time in the manual, then check uniformity across the batch before you fix a routine.
How do I get a price? Send your batch size, ingredients and power supply through the contact page or call 0728 163329. The price follows the model and the build, so it is quoted per order.
