How to choose a hammer mill
Updated on By Moinhos Vieira – technical team
Seven questions lead to the right mill: how much you want to produce, what product you will grind, how much space and what power supply you have, which motor, which starter and how the mill will be unloaded. Finally, a grinding test with your sample confirms the choice.
Step 1
How much do you want to produce per hour?
Start with output. For dry and granular products, this is the reference capacity of each model with a screen 0.7 mm (reference: degermed corn (canjica), grinding under ideal operating conditions), from smallest to largest:
- MCS 190MCS Series20 kg/h
- MCS 280MCS Series60 kg/h
- MCS 350MCS Series150 kg/h
- MCD 530MCD Series350 kg/h
- MCD 680BMCD Series500 kg/h
- MCD 680AMCD Series1,000 kg/h
- MCD 950MCD Series2,100 kg/h
A more open screen produces more; a finer one, less. Actual capacity depends on the product, its moisture and the particle size.
- MCS Series · Low to medium capacity, 3 to 15 hp.
- MCD Series · Medium to high capacity, 20 to 125 hp.
- MCO Series · For oily and sticky products, 5 to 12.5 hp.
Step 2
Is the product oily or sticky?
For oily and sticky products, choose the MCO series: the MCS and MCD series do not process this type of product, and the MCO does not process dry and granular products. The MCO has no reference table: capacity depends on the product and is confirmed in the grinding test.
Step 3
How much space do you have for installation?
The working area is the space the mill needs to operate; on models with a cyclone, not counting the cyclone:
- MCS 190Ask us
- MCS 2801.0 m²
- MCS 3501.5 m²
- MCD 5302.0 m²
- MCD 680B2.5 m²
- MCD 680A3.0 m²
- MCD 9509.0 m²
- MCO 2601.5 m²
- MCO 5202.0 m²
Full installation length, including the cyclone and the bag filter:
Step 4
What power supply do you have on site?
MCS 190 runs on single-phase power. The other models (MCS 280, MCS 350, MCD series and MCO series) use three-phase power. On the MCS 280, MCS 350 and MCD series models, the electrical connection must be made by an industrial electrician.
Step 5
Smaller or larger motor?
The MCS 280, MCS 350 and MCD series models are sold with two motor options: the frame takes either one. For fine grinding, with a screen below 1.2 mm, choose the smaller motor, because the limit is the grinding chamber, not the power. Above 1.5 mm, choose the larger motor. Between 1.2 and 1.5 mm, a specialist will recommend the motor.
Motor options for each model:
Step 6
Does the starter come with the mill?
- MCS 190: starter switch with ammeter (included).
- MCS 280, MCS 350 and MCO series: not included, we suggest a star-delta starter or a soft-starter, as required.
- MCD series: not included, soft-starter recommended.
Step 7
How will the mill be unloaded?
Unloading and installation are the customer's responsibility, with a hoist or forklift. Plan them by the weight with motor:
Step 8
Confirm with a free grinding test
Send a sample of your product: the grinding test is free of charge. With the result, we recommend the model, the screen and the capacity for your case.
All the data side by side
Power, speed, weight, working area, installation length, power supply, starter and reference capacity for the whole line.
| Model | Quote | Grinding boxes | Motor power | Shaft speed | Weight with motor | Working area | Installation length | Power supply | Starter | Capacity · Screen 0.7 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS 190MCS Series | Quote MCS 190 | 1 | 3 hp | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Single-phase | Included (with ammeter) | 20 kg/h |
| MCS 280MCS Series | Quote MCS 280 | 1 | 5 or 7.5 hp | 6,000 rpm | 100 kg | 1.0 m² (without cyclone) | 3.2 m | Three-phase | Suggested: star-delta or soft-starter | 60 kg/h |
| MCS 350MCS Series | Quote MCS 350 | 1 | 10 or 15 hp | 6,000 rpm | 170 kg | 1.5 m² (without cyclone) | 3.7 m | Three-phase | Suggested: star-delta or soft-starter | 150 kg/h |
| MCD 530MCD Series | Quote MCD 530 | 2 · double | 20 or 25 hp | 4,500 rpm | 500 kg | 2.0 m² (without cyclone) | 5 m | Three-phase | Not included · soft-starter recommended | 350 kg/h |
| MCD 680BMCD Series | Quote MCD 680B | 2 · double | 30 or 40 hp | 3,500 rpm | 750 kg | 2.5 m² (without cyclone) | 5 m | Three-phase | Not included · soft-starter recommended | 500 kg/h |
| MCD 680AMCD Series | Quote MCD 680A | 2 · double | 60 or 75 hp | 3,500 rpm | 1,200 kg | 3.0 m² (without cyclone) | 5.5 m | Three-phase | Not included · soft-starter recommended | 1,000 kg/h |
| MCD 950MCD Series | Quote MCD 950 | 2 · double | 100 or 125 hp | 2,500 rpm | 1,800 kg | 9.0 m² (without cyclone) | 7.55 m | Three-phase | Not included · soft-starter recommended | 2,100 kg/h |
| MCO 260MCO Series | Quote MCO 260 | 1 | 5 hp | Ask us | 90 kg | 1.5 m² | Not applicable | Three-phase | Suggested: star-delta or soft-starter | Based on a grinding test |
| MCO 520MCO Series | Quote MCO 520 | 1 | 12.5 hp | Ask us | 200 kg | 2.0 m² | Not applicable | Three-phase | Suggested: star-delta or soft-starter | Based on a grinding test |
Working area: not counting the cyclone (on models that have one).
Installation length: overall length of the installation, including the cyclone and the bag filter (technical drawing).
Reference capacity of the MCS and MCD series: degermed corn (canjica), grinding under ideal operating conditions. Actual capacity depends on the product, moisture and particle size. The MCO series has no reference table: capacity comes from the grinding test with your product.
Let's find the right mill for your product
Talk to a specialist. We recommend the ideal model, screen and capacity and run a free grinding test with your sample.