Let's cut to the chase - if you're running a mid-sized farm or feed mill, a 10tph feed production line might be your sweet spot. Not too big, not too small, just right for serious production without breaking the bank.
Why 10 Tons Per Hour Hits the Sweet Spot
Most farmers don't need massive 50tph feed mills, but 1-2 ton systems can't keep up. Here's why 10 ton per hour feed equipment makes sense:
Handles 200-500 head of cattle
Perfect for medium poultry farms (20,000-50,000 birds)
Small enough for easy operation
Big enough to justify the investment
I've seen too many farms buy undersized animal feed production lines only to outgrow them in a year.
What Actually Goes Into a 10tph Line
Forget the sales jargon. Here's what you're really getting:
Raw material receiving system (where the magic starts)
Grinding section - Usually a 50-75kW hammer mill
Mixing system - Think 1-2 ton batches
Pelletizing (if you want pellets)
Cooling & packaging
Pro tip: The 10tph poultry feed plant needs different dies than cattle feed. Don't let suppliers tell you otherwise.
The Costs Nobody Talks About
Sure, the 10 ton feed mill price looks attractive at 80,000−80,000−120,000. But watch for:
Installation costs (another 10-15%)
Electrical upgrades (three-phase power ain't free)
Dust control systems (your neighbors will thank you)
Spare parts inventory (hammers and dies wear out fast)
Pellet vs Mash: What's Better for You?
This decision matters more than you think:
Pellet lines:
Need more equipment (pellet mill, cooler, crumbler)
Better feed conversion
Higher energy costs
Mash lines:
Simpler operation
Lower upfront cost
Harder to handle
Most 10tph feed processing plants I see go pellet because the premium feed commands higher prices.
The Dirty Little Secret of Automation
Everyone wants "fully automatic" until they get it. Truth is:
Semi-auto feed manufacturing lines often work better for farms
Full automation needs skilled operators
Manual bagging might save you $20k upfront
As one farmer put it: "I paid extra for automation, then hired someone to push buttons anyway."
Maintenance That Actually Matters
From fixing hundreds of these:
Grease your pellet mill bearings every 8 hours (no excuses)
Change hammer mill screens before they're completely shot
Clean your mixer between batches (residue ruins your next mix)
Check elevator buckets monthly (a broken bucket can jam everything)
A well-maintained 10tph feed mill lasts twice as long as a neglected one. Simple as that.
When to Consider 15tph Instead
Think you might grow? Consider jumping to 15 ton per hour feed equipment if:
You're at 80% capacity within 6 months
Expansion plans are concrete
The price difference is less than 25%
But be honest - buying too big means higher operating costs every single day.
Final Advice From the Trenches
After installing dozens of these medium capacity feed mills, here's my hard-earned wisdom:
Visit a working installation before buying
Get references from similar-sized farms
Negotiate training into the deal
Start simple, add automation later
Remember: The best 10tph feed processing line is the one that actually runs when you need it to. Fancy features mean nothing if the machine sits idle.