KEENAN
MechFiber350 and 370 Operator’s Manual
7
Revision D01 21
st
May 2019
4 Operating principles
The KEENAN MechFiber mixer wagon
’s main operating functions are weighing,
chopping/mixing and feeding out.
4.1 Weighing
The KEENAN MechFiber mixer wagon
’s electronic weighing system allows an exact quantity
of individual materials to be loaded into the mixing chamber for accurate rationing. Individual
loads can be weighed, or successive loads can be accumulated to give the total weight of the
feed. See Section 6 (on the weighing system) and the Readout Manual for more detailed
information.
4.2 Chopping/mixing
Load ingredients in the sequence recommended by your KEENAN physical nutritionist, or as
suggested in Section 7 (on operation). For non-bale handler models, ensure bales are broken
up prior to loading. For bale handlers, wait until the bale has been taken in completely before
adding further bales. As a general rule, material should be tumbling freely when mixing; if it is
not, the machine is overloaded and will not achieve the desired mix quality. Mixing is carried
out by a centrally mounted rotor fitted with six angled paddles revolving at 6-8 rpm. Each paddle
imparts a shearing action, sweeping the feed ingredients onto the strategically placed knives
to produce a consistent and thorough mix with all types of materials, including baled silage,
hay or straw, roots and liquids.
The angled paddles help optimize mixing by sweeping the material from end to end. The
placement of the blades ensures that the materials reach optimum size/length without grinding
down and destroying the all-important
“scratch factor” of the forages producing a MechFiber
mix.
Mixing time will be determined by the required chop length. Follow the procedures outlined in
this manual or consult your KEENAN physical nutritionist for further information.
For bale handler models, do not load a complete 6x4 round bale onto the machine, as it has
the potential to become unstable, possibly falling off and causing injury. Instead, 6x4 round
bales should first be broken up and then loaded onto the machine in sections; alternatively, the
bale may be held in place by the loader until it is sufficiently chopped down (to a third or half of
its size) so that complete chopping can be done safely on the top of the machine. If in doubt,
consult your local KEENAN representative for the recommended safe operation of the machine
to suit your particular application.
CAUTION:
For bale handler models, do not load a complete 6x4 round bale, or more than one
5x4 or 4x4 round bale, onto the machine at any one time. Overloading the machine
may seriously affect the safe operation and life of the machine and will invalidate the
warranty.
