Pto-Powered Pelletizer Built To Last

2010 - Volume #34, Issue #5, Page #31

[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story | Read this issue]

After years of selling imported pelletizers, Make Your Own Pellets, LLC is now building its own pto-powered pelletizer with a heavier-duty gearbox that'll stand up to increased pellet-making torque.
"The weakest part of imported mills is the gearbox," says Brian Dingman. "We went to a 5:1 gearbox versus the more common 3:1 design. It will make a world of difference in the amount of power applied, and the quality of the pellet produced."
Dingman explains that the slower the die turns, the longer the material stays in the press and the more compacted it becomes. With his 5:1 worm gearbox, he has the power and torque needed to produce wood pellets from pure sawdust as well as from grass and other sources, even waste paper.
The 445 lb., 9-in. model produces 250 lbs./hr. of pellets from sawdust or up to 500 lbs./hr. of pellets from soft biomass sources. A binder additive is recommended and available from the company.
According to tests by an independent lab, Juniper tree pellets reached a density of 44.8 lbs. per cu. ft. versus a standard density of 40 lbs./cu. ft., which is what the Pellet Fuels Institute rates as "premium" pellets. At 540 rpm's, the company produced 64 lbs. of dense Juniper pellets in less than 15 min. A 1,000 rpm pto would increase production.
"The unit is noticeably quieter than its 3:1 ring gear cousins," says Dingman. "People like being able to make pellets at remote locations and then back into a shed and drop the mill where they want it for storage. Plus, they don't have to buy a separate engine like they would with a skid mounted unit."
The company plans to introduce stationary machines over the coming year. They will begin with single and three-phase electric motors, followed by gas or diesel-powered units.
In the meantime, Dingman says the pto-powered, tractor-mounted machines are proving very popular. "We are getting a lot of interest from landscapers and farmers as well as from the residential market," he says. "Most are looking at pelletizing wood, but we also have people in Florida interested in using it to make goat feed pellets."
The company will also be adding 8-in. and 12-in. pellet mills to the product line. All models will use the same 5:1 gearbox. As a special bonus, the company will allow existing customers to trade in the non-gearbox portion of the mill rather than buying a complete new unit.
The powder-coated mill carries a one-year defective parts warranty. It's priced at $5,495. Dingman notes that because it's made in North America, there is no tax on it for Canadians as there is for imported mills.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Brian Dingman, Make Your Own Pellets, LLC, 18 Charleston Ave., Londonderry, N.H. 03053 (ph 603 490-3483; sales@makeyourownpellets.com; www.makeyourownpellets.com).

Click here to download page story appeared in.

Click here to read entire issue

Pto-Powered Pelletizer Built To Last POWER TAKE OFFS (PTO'S) Power Take Offs (PTO's) 34-5-31 After years of selling imported pelletizers, Make Your Own Pellets, LLC is now building its own pto-powered pelletizer with a heavier-duty gearbox that'll stand up to increased pellet-making torque. "The weakest part of imported mills is the gearbox," says Brian Dingman. "We went to a 5:1 gearbox versus the more common 3:1 design. It will make a world of difference in the amount of power applied, and the quality of the pellet produced." Dingman explains that the slower the die turns, the longer the material stays in the press and the more compacted it becomes. With his 5:1 worm gearbox, he has the power and torque needed to produce wood pellets from pure sawdust as well as from grass and other sources, even waste paper. The 445 lb., 9-in. model produces 250 lbs./hr. of pellets from sawdust or up to 500 lbs./hr. of pellets from soft biomass sources. A binder additive is recommended and available from the company. According to tests by an independent lab, Juniper tree pellets reached a density of 44.8 lbs. per cu. ft. versus a standard density of 40 lbs./cu. ft., which is what the Pellet Fuels Institute rates as "premium" pellets. At 540 rpm's, the company produced 64 lbs. of dense Juniper pellets in less than 15 min. A 1,000 rpm pto would increase production. "The unit is noticeably quieter than its 3:1 ring gear cousins," says Dingman. "People like being able to make pellets at remote locations and then back into a shed and drop the mill where they want it for storage. Plus, they don't have to buy a separate engine like they would with a skid mounted unit." The company plans to introduce stationary machines over the coming year. They will begin with single and three-phase electric motors, followed by gas or diesel-powered units. In the meantime, Dingman says the pto-powered, tractor-mounted machines are proving very popular. "We are getting a lot of interest from landscapers and farmers as well as from the residential market," he says. "Most are looking at pelletizing wood, but we also have people in Florida interested in using it to make goat feed pellets." The company will also be adding 8-in. and 12-in. pellet mills to the product line. All models will use the same 5:1 gearbox. As a special bonus, the company will allow existing customers to trade in the non-gearbox portion of the mill rather than buying a complete new unit. The powder-coated mill carries a one-year defective parts warranty. It's priced at $5,495. Dingman notes that because it's made in North America, there is no tax on it for Canadians as there is for imported mills. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Brian Dingman, Make Your Own Pellets, LLC, 18 Charleston Ave., Londonderry, N.H. 03053 (ph 603 490-3483; sales@makeyourownpellets.com; www.makeyourownpellets.com).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.

SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW NOW