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New Uses Found For Old-Style Hammer Mills
Hammer mills are as useful today as they were in 1858, when the C.S. Bell Co. started manufacturing them. But the early owners could never have imagined all the uses people have for them today.
"People are using them for small scale ethanol production," says Daniel White, who has been principal owner of C.S. Bel
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New Uses Found For Old-Style Hammer Mills LIVESTOCK Feeding Equipment 32-6-35 Hammer mills are as useful today as they were in 1858, when the C.S. Bell Co. started manufacturing them. But the early owners could never have imagined all the uses people have for them today.
"People are using them for small scale ethanol production," says Daniel White, who has been principal owner of C.S. Bell since 1989 and active in the business since 1973. "Hammer mills are also being used for biodiesel production and in labs and research facilities for a variety of projects."
The current models of hammer mills are made of cast iron and carbon steel. Other than a concrete block or bowling ball, they can grind just about anything, including soft rocks such as limestone, White notes.
The most common use remains as it was in the beginning - grinding grains for livestock and human consumption.
"There's been a movement lately in slow food and organic cooking among people wanting to go back to Old World grains like buckwheat and amaranth," White says. Others use it to grind flax seed, which must be cracked to release the healthful oils inside.
Since there is more nutritional value in freshly ground feed, many livestock producers prefer to grind grains daily or weekly to create their own feed mixes.
"We have a mixed clientele, from families who share equipment to large farm-based businesses," White says. About 40 percent of the company's market is overseas, and models range from 3-ft., 110-volt models to large 3-phase electric models.
Hammer mills, which use free-swinging hammers to grind almost anything, start at $2,500. Gristmills, which mainly grind grains, use wear resistant alloy grinding burrs and start at $1,400. All models break down easily for cleaning.
Made in the U.S., White notes that the company carries parts for old models that have been handed down for generations.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, C.S. Bell Co., P.O. Box 291, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (ph 888 958-6381; www.csbellco.com).
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