Quality of mixing of a self-propelled and self-loading mixer feeder for production process of compound feedingstuffs in feed mill

The object of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of mixing of a TMR self-propelled and self-loading mixer feeder for preparation of compound feedingstuffs in a commercial feed mill. The investigation has been carried out analysing distribution of 4 analytical elements in samples of feedingstuffs. Analytical elements content have been detected with chemical analysis in laboratory. Time requested for any single operation along the preparation of feedingstuffs has been recorded. Data collected has been studied with 3 different methods: 1) Uniformity of mixing in accordance with Italian official method relevant for TMR mixer feeder, 2) Level of the analytical components departing from the declared composition as in official inspection in accordance with Council Directive 79/373/EEC, 3) Statistical analysis of the data. Results from the 3 method of analysis permit to say that the self-propelled self-loading mixer feeder can find application in commercial feed mills for preparation of compounded feedingstuffs. Particular attention have to be paid to time dedicated to mixing operations: they have great influence on effectiveness of mixing in term of uniformity of distribution of the analytical constituents in the feeedingstuffs.