What is a Plow Mixer

The plow mixer uses high-speed plow blades and high-shear choppers to blend material very quickly. Its scattering and dispersing mixing method produces high uniformity, often used in powder, granules, and fibrous materials. Therefore, it can help you improve productivity and quality.

Main Components of Plow Mixer

• Mixing Tank

The mixing tank is usually made of carbon steel, 304, or 316L stainless steel. These materials are high-strength and corrosion-resistant. Meanwhile, the cylinder’s interior is rounded or U-shaped to avoid dead corners and facilitate cleaning.

• Plow Blade

The plow blades are fixed on the main shaft and rotate at high speed, which can quickly disperse and mix materials. It is made of stainless steel or alloy steel, making it very durable. And, its powerful impact can prevent material accumulation and is very suitable for fibrous materials。

• Chopper

The high-speed chopper has a strong shearing force that can break up clumps of material, further improving the uniformity of mixing. It is often installed on the side of the cylinder, and you can control the rotation speed flexibly to handle different material formulations.

• Drive System

The drive system consists of a motor, reducer, bearing housing, and drive shaft, providing powerful performance to the entire machine. It can keep stable, high-speed operation of the plow blades while minimizing vibration. The multi-layered sealing also prevents dust from entering the interior, thus increasing your mixer’s lifespan.

• Discharge Port

The discharge port is located at the bottom or side of the mixing tank, and commonly used valves include pneumatic flat valves, butterfly valves, or ball valves. If you are processing materials with poor flowability, you can choose to equip an auxiliary stirring or vibration device to ensure more complete discharge. And, you can also select automatic control mode to achieve efficient continuous operation.

Advantages of Plow Mixer

Solid and Durable Structure

The material for the plow mixer’s body can be chosen from carbon steel or stainless steel according to your specific application. For example, the food and pharmaceutical industries often select 316 stainless steel, while the chemical industry prefers the more economical and practical carbon steel structure. 

Compared to light-duty mixing equipment, the plow-type structure is more resistant to deformation, can work with heavy materials, and is very suitable for long-term continuous production, providing you with peace of mind when purchasing and using it. What’s more, its main shaft is robust, and the mixing blades are firmly welded or bolted to the support columns, ensuring stable operation in high-load industrial environments. 

Therefore, if you pursue a mixing machine that can be used for more than 10 years with stable performance, the plow mixer is a good choice.

Fast and Uniform Mixing 

Thanks to their high shear force, plowshare mixers are very popular. You can spend only 90 seconds to complete a uniform mix. It will bring significant efficiency gains, especially when you are processing large batches of materials. 

At the same time, their three-dimensional tumbling can eliminate material buildup and dead zones, making every batch of your material achieve consistent mixing. As you know, time is money; higher output per unit time brings a competitive advantage, and more uniform mixing naturally reduces rework. Compared to ribbon mixers that often take 10 minutes to mix, the benefits of plowshare mixers are obvious.

Handle Broaden Materials

The plow mixer can handle a wide range of materials on the market, from dry powder and wet powder to granules and fibrous materials, and even viscous mixtures requiring liquid spraying or grease addition—it can mix them all easily. It can quickly throw away sticky materials without the risk of sticking to the walls. 

Moreover, if you need to deal with abrasive materials, you can add wear-resistant liners or special coatings to decrease the machine’s wear. In short, the plow mixer can handle almost all your material mixing needs and is a reliable industrial-grade mixing device.

Easy Cleaning and Maintenance

The plough mixer features a wide-opening design with a large door, allowing your operators easy access for inspection, maintenance, or deep cleaning. The interior boasts a fully mirrored or polished finish, eliminating blind spots and preventing material accumulation. 

Meanwhile, it meets stringent hygiene standards such as FDA and cGMP,  and can be equipped with a CIP (Clean-In-Place) system. Thus, you can achieve automatic spraying and remarkably fast batch changeovers. 

Especially for factories producing multiple varieties in small batches, formula changes no longer require 1-2 hours. It only takes a few minutes to start the next batch of production, completely getting rid of cross-contamination. This is the improvement in efficiency and output that you can see.

Applications of Plow Mixer

Food

The plow mixer is ideal for processing seasoning powders, milk powder, and various animal feeds. The plow blades continuously scatter the materials, thoroughly mixing them in a short time, so it is always used in formulations containing trace ingredients or prone to clumping. Using a food-grade stainless steel plow mixer, combined with a spray system for applying oils or flavorings, you will obtain consistent product flavor. 

Pharmaceutical

For veterinary drug premixes and small-dose trace elements, the plow mixer can quickly achieve highly uniform mixing, reducing waste from repeated feeding and secondary mixing. Furthermore, the smooth, corner-free interior of the equipment makes it easy to clean. Its sealed structure also prevents dust leakage, improving the cleanliness level of your workshop.

Chemical

Plow mixers can easily blend chemical powders such as pigment powders, plastic masterbatches, and plastic additives. Its scattering mixing method also reduces temperature rise caused by shearing, protecting the color stability of pigments. Besides, you can select a carbon steel or stainless steel model to resist corrosion, ensuring durability and reliability.

Construction

Building materials such as cement, mortar, and putty powder often wear down mixing machines. However, the plow mixer uses reinforced plow blades and wear-resistant liners, making production more durable and stable. Moreover, it allows for rapid blending of quartz sand, fillers, and various additives, solving the problems of low efficiency and uneven mixing found in conventional mixers.

Considerations for the Plow Mixer Selection

Material Characteristics

When mixing powders, a standard plow blade is enough. However, for viscous or moist agglomerated materials, a chopper is indispensable. Additionally, stainless steel is more suitable for handling acidic or alkaline corrosive materials. For materials with hard particles, wear-resistant steel or liners should be used. Also, you can prepare material samples in advance for the manufacturer to conduct trial runs.

Size& Capacity

The plow mixer container is filled from 40% to 70% capacity. In this way, the material will tumble and finally become uniform. The smaller one will decrease the output, while being too large will consume more energy. And, a continuous process plow mixer can help you process material uninterruptedly. Meanwhile, the machine size should match your workshop and comply with the height limitation. You can contact the supplier for detailed specifications of the mixer.

Horsepower 

Materials vary in density and mixing difficulty. Generally, heavier, more viscous, or pasty materials require higher horsepower. Lighter powders, on the other hand, only require lower power. If liquids are added during the mixing process, the horsepower will also need to be increased accordingly. 

Therefore, you had better seek technician support to calculate the torque requirements and confirm whether a frequency converter is needed to reduce your energy use.

Seal System

If you are handling large quantities of dusty materials and have high hygiene requirements, you can use an air seal or multiple mechanical seals to achieve a stronger seal and prevent leakage. Otherwise, a cost-effective packing seal will meet general usage needs.

With over 30 years of industry experience and technological expertise, we understand the needs of different processes. Certified by ISO9001, we can help you improve production efficiency and quality. One-stop service, from selection to after-sales support, aiming to provide you with considerate service. 

Need a mixing solution tailored to your projects? Contact us now.