Abstract: An automatic control for a pellet mill includes a method for automatically calculating start values for feeder speed and steam valve position upon start-up of the pellet mill for pelleting particular formulas of feed. The method includes the step of monitoring the pellet mill to determine optimal feeder speed and steam valve position when the mill is running at optimal conditions, and then adjusting these values by a fixed percentage in order to determine the start-up values. As the steam valve is non-linear, another method is disclosed for converting the steam valve position to a corresponding steam flow, multiplying the optimal steam flow by the same fixed percentage, and then reconverting the starting steam flow value to a corresponding steam valve position. The fixed percentage used to determine the start values may be adjusted, depending upon how aggressive the operator desires the start-up to be and perhaps to adjust for differences in pellet formulations.

Abstract: A liner hoist for a bulk bag in a first embodiment includes a rope and hook for pulling up and tying the liner to prevent its fouling the discharge of material through a bottom pour spout. In a second embodiment, it retracts a liner upwardly from within a bulk bag as dry material is dispensed out the lower end thereof through a pour spout. The second embodiment includes a hook for hooking an eyelet fashioned in the upper end of the liner, a rope attached to the hook and supported by a plurality of pulleys from the bulk bag support framework, a spring extending between the rope and the framework, and cleat through which the rope is threaded to prevent the rope from retracting after the spring is tensioned. In operation, as the liner empties and tends to elongate, the hook lifts the liner from within the bulk bag through the action of the spring, all without operator intervention.

Abstract: A liquid weigh scale hopper receives a plurality of liquid ingredients for dumping into a receiver/mixer and includes a pair of high flow rate spray nozzles near the top thereof for spraying chilled water into the hopper. As a discharge valve at the bottom of the hopper is opened, chilled water is sprayed into the hopper and fills it to create a gravitational pressure head helping to force the liquid batch out of the hopper.

Abstract: A fat injection process for a pellet mill includes a plurality of nozzles mounted within the pelleting chamber and adjacent the die and rollers with a steam and fat line connected to each nozzle for mixing fat with steam and spraying the mixture onto the pellets immediately as they are formed.

Abstract: A fat injection system for a pellet mill includes a plurality of nozzles mounted within the pelleting chamber and adjacent the die and rollers with a steam and fat line connected to each nozzle for mixing fat with steam and spraying the mixture onto the pellets immediately as they are formed.