# How to choose a hammer mill

URL: https://moinhosvieira.com.br/en/how-to-choose-a-hammer-mill/  
Updated on: 2026-11-03  
Other languages: Español: https://moinhosvieira.com.br/es/como-elegir-molino-de-martillos/ · Português: https://moinhosvieira.com.br/como-escolher-moinho-de-martelo/

> 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.

## The three series

- **MCS Series** (Single Centrifugal Mill): It has one grinding chamber. The product is drawn in by suction, ground through 360° by the hammers and carried by air to the bagging cyclone. Low to medium capacity, 3 to 15 hp.
- **MCD Series** (Double Centrifugal Mill): It has two grinding chambers in the same machine: pre-grinding happens in the 1st chamber and final grinding in the 2nd, the larger one. The screen of the 2nd chamber sets the final particle size. Medium to high capacity, 20 to 125 hp.
- **MCO Series** (Centrifugal Mill for Oilseeds): It has one grinding chamber and is the series for oily and sticky products, which the MCS and MCD series do not process. For oily and sticky products, 5 to 12.5 hp.

## Reference capacity (kg/h)

Reference: degermed corn (canjica)*

| Model | Screen 0.3 mm | Screen 0.7 mm | Screen 1.0 mm | Screen 3.0 mm | Screen 6.0 mm |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| MCS 190 | 10 | 20 | 33 | 66 | 83 |
| MCS 280 | 30 | 60 | 120 | 240 | 300 |
| MCS 350 | 85 | 150 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 |
| MCD 530 | 180 | 350 | 550 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| MCD 680B | 275 | 500 | 750 | 2,000 | 3,000 |
| MCD 680A | 525 | 1,000 | 1,500 | 4,000 | 6,000 |
| MCD 950 | 1,000 | 2,100 | 3,100 | 8,000 | 12,000 |

*Grinding under ideal operating conditions. Actual capacity depends on the product, its moisture and the screen hole size. Confirm it with a grinding test. MCO series: no reference table; capacity depends on the product and is confirmed in the grinding test (the grinding chat on the model page shows the tests already carried out).

## 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. Single-motor models: MCS 190 (3 hp), MCO 260 (5 hp) and MCO 520 (12.5 hp).

## Power and starter

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.

- 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.

## What comes with it

- MCS 190: comes with a cyclone, a bag filter housing with filter bags and a feed hopper.
- MCS 280, MCS 350, MCD 530 and MCD 680B: leaves the factory assembled, tested and adjusted; comes with a polyethylene cyclone with tripod, a bag filter housing with filter bags and a feed hopper.
- MCD 680A: leaves the factory assembled, tested and adjusted; comes with a cyclone, a bag filter housing with filter bags and a feed hopper.
- MCD 950: leaves the factory assembled, tested and adjusted; comes with a cyclone and a bag filter housing with filter bags.
- MCO series: has no cyclone and no bag filter unit (housing and filter bags).

## Floor fixing

Across the whole Vieira mill line, no: thanks to the mill's balance, it does not need to be fixed to the floor. On the MCD series, the mill must stand on a solid surface, free of vibration, and away from machines that vibrate.