Single Screw Floating Fish Feed Pellet Extruder Machine

 

 

1. Why Choose Dry Type single screw floating fish feed pellet extruder machine?

In modern aquaculture, the Dry Type single screw floating fish feed extruder machine is the most popular choice for regions where steam infrastructure is costly or unavailable.
Unlike Wet Type extruders, the dry type creates high temperatures (120°C-150°C) through a combination of mechanical shear friction and integrated electric heating. This eliminates the need for a boiler, saving you up to 40% in initial investment (CAPEX) and reducing the operational footprint.

 

2. Technical Features

 

• High-Grade Alloy Screw: We use 38CrMoAl Nitrogen-treated alloy steel with a hardness of HRC 55-60, extending the screw life by 30% compared to carbon steel alternatives.
• Modular Die System: Swap dies in under 5 minutes to produce different shapes (pellets, stars, hearts) and sizes (1mm for fry, up to 9mm for adult fish).
• Friction-Optimized Barrel: The inner sleeve of the barrel features a wear-resistant groove design, ensuring optimal material stay-time for complete cooking.
• Lower Investment Cost: No boiler or steam system required, significantly reducing initial CAPEX.
• Simple Operation & Maintenance: Streamlined structure allows for easy cleaning and parts replacement.
• High Versatility: Capable of producing a wide range of products including floating fish feed, sinking pellets, shrimp feed, and pet food.
• Nutrient Retention: Precise temperature control ensures high digestibility while minimizing nutrient loss.

 

3. Raw Materials

To ensure your pellets float for 24+ hours, the formula must meet these criteria:

 

• Starch Content (Binder): Minimum 20% (from corn, wheat, or rice bran).
• Moisture Level: Pre-mixed moisture should be between 15% and 20%.
• Grinding Fineness: All raw materials must pass through a 60-80 mesh screen. Coarse particles will cause the pellets to sink and increase screw wear.

 

Below are the recommended formulations for your reference.

 

Table 1: Pet Food Formulation Guidelines 

Raw Materials	Puppy Starter Formula	Premium Cat Food Formula	High-End Adult Dog Food
Corn Flour / Ground Corn	30%	37%	26%
Fresh Meat (Minced)	15%	15%	20%
Rice Bran	5%	10%	17%
Soybean Meal	10%	18%	5%
Bone Meal	7%	2%	12%
Wheat Middlings / Shorts	23%	18%	20%
Water (Moisture Addition)	25%	25%	25%

 

 

Table 2: Aquafeed (Fish Feed) Formulation Guidelines

Raw Materials	Fingerling/Starter Feed (34-36% Protein)	Grower Feed (30% Protein)	Finisher Feed (28% Protein)
Corn Flour / Ground Corn	30%	30%	35%
Fish Meal	20%	15%	15%
Rice Bran	5%	10%	10%
Soybean Meal	30%	25%	20%
Bone Meal	2%	2%	2%
Wheat Middlings / Shorts	13%	18%	18%
Water (Moisture Addition)	25%	25%	25%

 

Get More Free Feed Formulation Guide

4. Differences and features of the dry type and wet type pellet feed extruder:

 

Comparison of Production Processes

Dry Process:
Raw materials are directly formed via mechanical extrusion, requiring no additional water or steam; the process relies primarily on friction and pressure to generate heat. The production workflow is relatively simple, and equipment investment is low.

 

Wet Process:
Raw materials are first treated in a conditioner (involving the addition of steam and moisture) before being extruded through an expander under conditions of high temperature and high pressure. The resulting product requires subsequent drying and cooling treatments. The production workflow is complex, and equipment investment is high.

 

Performance Metric	Dry type floating fish food pellet making machine	Wet Type floating fish feed pellet mill
Pellet Density	Relatively High	Low (Porous Structure)
Water Stability	Moderate (5–15 minutes)	Good (15–30 minutes)
Starch Gelatinization Rate	Low (20–40%)	High (60–80%)
Digestibility & Absorption	Relatively Low	High
Pellet Expansion Rate	Low	High
Appearance & Color	Relatively Dark	Relatively Light
Nutrient Retention	Minimal loss of heat-sensitive nutrients	Partial loss of heat-sensitive nutrients
Equipment Requirement	No Steam Boiler/Conditioner needed	Requires Steam Conditioner & Boiler

 

 

floating fish feed pellet extruder machine Series Comparison Table

 

Model / Series

Electric Motor

Diesel Engine

Screw(s)

Control Cabinet

Cutter System

Conditioner

Steam Generator

Hoist / Crane

Cutter Guide Rail

Hoist Rail

Heater Bands

Gearbox

Material

DGP Series

✅

❌

✅

✅

✅

❌

❌

❌

❌

❌

✅

✅

Carbon Steel

DGP (Diesel)

❌

✅

✅

✅

✅

❌

❌

❌

❌

❌

✅

✅

Carbon Steel

LX Series

✅

❌

✅

✅

✅

❌

❌

❌

✅

❌

✅

✅

Carbon Steel

LX-S Series

✅

❌

✅

✅

✅

❌

❌

❌

✅

❌

✅

✅

Stainless Steel

LX-S (Twin-Screw)

✅

❌

✅

✅

✅

❌

❌

❌

✅

❌

✅

❌*

Stainless Steel¹

Wet Type Single-Screw

✅

❌

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

❌

✅

❌

✅

Carbon Steel

Wet Type Twin-Screw

✅

❌

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

❌

✅

❌

✅

Carbon Steel

* LX-S (Twin-Screw) Material Note: Gearbox is integrated behind stainless steel cladding; not externally visible

 

5.Technical parameter

 

DGP Dry Type single screw floating fish food maker machine Parameter

 

 

 

Model	Capacity (kg/h)	Main motor (kw)	Feeder motor (kw)	Cutter motor (kw)	Screw diameter (mm)	Machine size (mm)	Weight (kg)
DGP-40	40-50	5.5	0.4	0.4	φ40	1.36*1.3*0.85	320
DGP-60	120-150	15	0.4	0.4	φ60	1.36*1.33*0.86	420
DGP-70	200-250	18.5	0.4	0.4	φ70	1.36*1.33*0.86	550
DGP-80	300-350	22	1.5	0.55	φ80	2.3*1.7*1.4	720
DGP-90	400-450	30	1.5	0.55	φ90	2.3*1.8*1.4	1100
DGP-100	500	37	1.5	1.5	φ100	2*2.8*1.2	1500
DGP-120	600-700	55	1.5	1.5	φ120	2.2*2.9*1.2	1800
DGP-135	800-900	75	1.5	2.2	φ135	2.2*3.1*1.37	2000
DGP-160	1000-1200	90	2 2	2.2	φ160	2.3*3.15*1.38	2500
DGP-200	1800-2000	132	3	3	φ200	2.35*3.45*1.65	3200

 

 

 

LX/LX-S Dry Type single screw floating fish feed pellet making machine Parameter

 

 

 

Model	45	65	75	85
Power	5.5KW	15KW	18.5KW	22KW
Capacity (kg/h)	40-50	120-150	200-250	400
Weight	360KG	450KG	550KG	800KG
Size(mm)	1720*870*1100	2200*2900*1200	2200*3100*1370	2300*3150*1380

 

 

 

Model	Power	Capacity	Heater	Dimension(mm)	Weight
LX-S-65	5.5kw	50 kg/h	1 kw	1720*870*1050	350 kg
LX-S-70	15kw	150kg/h	1 kw	1720*970*1250	500 kg
LX-S-85	18.5kw	200-300kg/h	2 kw	1360*1870*850	650 kg
LX-S-95	22kw	400-500kg/h	2 kw	2300*1170*1400	850 kg

 

 

6.Application

 

• Make high-grade aquatic feed pellets for fish, catfish, shrimps, crab etc.
• Ideal for making pet food for dogs, cats, etc.
• If you have fish ponds and aquatic farms, this machine is really cost-effective compared with buying expensive pellets.
• First choice of fish feed pellets manufacturers.

 

 

7. Customer case

 

Make a FREE CONSULTATION

8. FAQ

 

1. What are the main benefits of using a Dry Type Single-Screw floating fish food extruder machine?

The primary benefit of a Dry Type single screw floating fish feed making machine is its cost-effectiveness and simplicity. Unlike wet-type systems, it does not require a steam boiler, significantly reducing initial investment (CAPEX) and floor space requirements. It is the ideal solution for small-to-medium fish farms or pet food startups looking for a reliable, easy-to-operate machine that generates heat through mechanical friction alone.

 

2. Dry type vs. wet type fish feed extruder: Which one is better for my farm?

The choice depends on your production scale and budget. A Dry Type single screw floating fish food maker machine is best for capacities under 600kg/h and for users who want to avoid the complexity of steam systems. A wet Type floating fish feed pellet maker machine is better for large-scale industrial plants (over 1 ton/h) as it uses steam pre-conditioning to improve starch gelatinization and increase digestibility, though it comes with higher equipment and maintenance costs.

 

3. Can a Dry Type single screw floating fish feed pellet making machine produce high-quality floating fish feed?

Yes. A well-calibrated Dry Type single screw floating fish feed pellet machine can produce fish feed with a floating rate of over 95%. By adjusting the screw speed, feeding rate, and raw material moisture (typically 15%-25%), the machine generates enough friction heat (120°C-150°C) to expand the starch, creating a porous structure that allows pellets to float for 12 to 24 hours.

 

4. What raw material moisture content is required for dry extrusion?

For optimal performance in a dry-type extrusion process, the raw material moisture should be maintained between 15% and 25%. If the moisture is too low (below 12%), the friction heat may burn the feed; if it is too high (above 30%), the pellets will not expand properly and may sink. Precision in mixing is key to ensuring consistent pellet buoyancy.

 

5. Single-screw vs. twin-screw floating fish feed production machine: What is the difference in pellet quality?

While both can make floating feed, a Single-Screw floating fish food extruder machine is more suited for standard formulas with moderate protein and fat levels. A Twin screw floating fish food maker machine offers stronger "positive displacement" conveying, allowing it to handle "sticky" formulas with high fresh meat content or high oil levels. For basic aquaculture and standard pet kibble, the single-screw remains the most ROI-efficient choice.

 

6. Why is my Dry Type Single-Screw floating fish feed pellet mill not puffing or expanding the pellets?

If your pellets are not expanding, the most common causes are:

• Low Starch Content: You need at least 20% starch (corn, wheat, or flour) to act as a "puffing agent."
• Incorrect Temperature: The barrel hasn't reached the required 120°C due to low RPM or worn screw parts.
• Excessive Moisture: Too much water prevents the pressure build-up needed for expansion at the die head.

 

7. What is the typical lifespan of the screw and wear parts?

In a professional-grade Dry Type Single-Screw fish food extruder machine, the screw and barrel (made from high-wear alloy like 38CrMoAl) typically last for 500 to 1,000 tons of production, depending on the abrasiveness of the ingredients. Using finely ground raw materials (below 60 mesh) can significantly extend the life of these parts by reducing internal friction wear.

 

8. Can one single screw floating fish feed making machine make different sizes of pet food and fish feed?

Absolutely. By simply changing the extrusion die (mold) at the outlet, you can produce pellets ranging from 1mm to 12mm in diameter. This versatility allows a single machine to produce starter feed for fingerlings, larger pellets for adult fish, and various shapes (bones, hearts, rounds) for dog and cat food.

 

9. Why are my pellets not floating?

This usually happens if the temperature is too low (check the heating rings) or the starch content is insufficient. Ensure your corn/wheat ratio is at least 20%.

10. Can I use this Dry Type single screw fish feed processing machine for shrimp feed?

Shrimp require sinking feed with high water stability. While a single screw can make sinking pellets by reducing the temperature, a Twin-Screw or Ring Die Pellet Mill is generally more professional for shrimp.

11. How much space does a 200kg/h line need?

A standard single-screw line (Grinder + Mixer + Extruder + Dryer) requires approximately 50-80 square meters.

 

Company Introduction

 

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