Roto-Mix 425, Operator'S Manual

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GENERAL INFORMATION
MIXING CAPACITY
Maximum Ration Volume
Model 425 425 cu. ft.
Model 500 500 cu. ft.
Model 575 575 cu. ft.
Maximum Ration Weight
(based on a 30 lb./ft. 3 ra-
tion)
Model 425 12750 lb.
Model 500 15000 lb.
Model 575 17250 lb.
Maximum Weight Of Baled Hay
10% of ration by weight.
ROUGHAGE LENGTH
The mixer is designed to mix complete rations including
roughage which fall within the following length limits.
1. At least 75% of the material is 1-1/2 inches or
shorter.
2. Less than 20% of the material exceeds 2-1/2
inches.
3. Maximum fiber length does not exceed 4 inches.
USE OF BALED HAY
Oswalt mixers are designed to blend feed ingredients
with “dry hay” to obtain a total mixed ration. Dry hay
will have less than 20% moisture. A simple hand test
on three stems of hay will tell you if the hay should be
put into the mixer.
Reach into the core of the bale and remove 3 stems of
hay. Try to bend and break these 3 stems when hold-
ing them between the thumb and forefinger of both
hands. If they snap and break easily the mixer will pro-
cess the hay fairly easily. If the hay is
NOT
very brittle
and you have to twist, tug, pull, and pinch to break it
apart, you have a “tough hay” condition. Weather and
plant varieties, etc., can generate these conditions.
Conditions That Cause Abnormal Tough Hay
· High Moisture Content (20% plus)
· High Density Bales
· High Grass Content
· Outdoor Storage
· Long Stem Length
·
Use of Hay Preservatives
FINE STEM GRASS HAY WITH LENGTHS OVER 16
INCHES
Are Not Recommended
because they tend to
wrap around the augers unless they are extremely brit-
tle.
LOADING
The loading sequence depends on the type of feed be-
ing used. For this reason, we offer a few suggested
loading sequences to maximize mixer performance
and avoid equipment failure.
NOTE:
When is doubt, throw in a half bale of the
questionable feed to insure hay breaks apart and does
not wind or wad in the mixer.
For a ration utilizing “dry hay” the ingredients can be
all added at one time and then mixed. The ingredients
should be added with the mixer stopped to avoid over
processing. The ingredients should be added in the
following order: all dry ingredients (corn, soybeans,
cottonseed, etc.) then the hay, and the remaining ma-
terials last. When all ingredients have been added,
the mixer can be started and mixing completed.
If adding all the materials at once causes mixing prob-
lems or if you have a “tough hay” condition, then add
the ingredients using the following sequence. With the
mixer stopped, add all dry ingredients. The introduc-
tion of the dry ingredients first helps the mixer break
up the hay. Next turn on the mixer and add the hay.
Hay should be broken apart and added at the drive
end of the mixer. Allow the dry materials and hay to
mix until the flakes of hay are broken up. Then add
the remaining materials and complete the mixing. If
this process causes over processing of the ingredi-
ents, shut off the mixer after mixing the hay and dry in-
gredients and restart and complete mixing after all
remaining ingredients have been added.
If this process causes mixing problems associated with
the hay, then it is recommended that the hay be pro-
cessed to a shorter length prior to adding to the mixer.
A J-Star bale cutter is recommended to accomplish
this.
NOTE
: Round bales should not be incorporated di-
rectly into the mixer without first being processed.
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