Competitive growers seeking to reduce labor costs are automating the soil mixing process to get on-demand delivery of specialized mixed growing media for their production needs. They want more control over how and when they make their media mixes because the precise nature of their businesses demands accuracy. New mix line technology offers growers that exactness, while also delivering flexibility, consistency, and efficiency. Learn more about new soil mix technology and the market and check out the slideshow for more information on the new products.
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EM 6012 Soil Mixer (Mayer)
The Mayer EM 6012 Soil Mixer has a special mixing system with a swiveling elevator that tilts backward for mixing. The elevator chains and a rubber conveyor belt turn continuously to mix the soil.
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EM 6012 Soil Mixer (Mayer)
The swiveling elevator on the EM 6012 Soil Mixer tilts forward to an unloading position once the soil is mixed. This process ensures a homogenous mixing result.
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Pack Manufacturing Custom Mix Lines
The custom mix line Pack Manufacturing built for a customer processes 90 cubic yards of growing media per hour and includes six bulk hoppers and six stainless steel chemical hoppers. A state-of-the-art control system allows the grower to program custom soil blends for each destination.
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Custom Mix Line (Agrinomix)
Agrinomix's new custom mix line, built for a growing operation in Ontario, Canada, has the capacity to mix 60 to 120 yards per hour.
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Galvanized Steel Hopper (Agrinomix)
To facilitate material flow through Agrinomix's custom mix line, the walls on the galvanized steel bulk hoppers are 10 degrees steeper, and the front gate opening spans the entire width of the unit to mitigate soil bridging. Hanging sensors ensure material exits the hopper uniformly across the conveyor belt. Agitators in the hopper run crosswise instead of lengthwise, to keep difficult materials moving.
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Photo Eye on Mix Line (Agrinomix)
Photo eyes monitor the soil components in the hoppers on the Agrinomix custom mix line. Low-level sensors also monitor the flow and alert the computer when problems arise.
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Chemical Hopper (Agrinomix)
Load sensors on stainless steel chemical hoppers track the amount of chemical applied to the soil mix, and double-gear reduction facilitates precise chemical ratios. The hoppers have dual-angle contour sides to increase material flow and reduce bridging.
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PLC Controller (Agrinomix)
A recipe blending computer with a programmable logic controller (PLC) can run multiple mix formulas simultaneously and automatically deliver them to specific destinations.
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Touchscreen Interface Panel (Agrinomix)
An intuitive touchscreen interface panel that is part of the recipe blending computer features soil tracking and includes three modes of operation. The screens change automatically based on the system’s set-up. AgriNomix can back connect the computer’s configurable software for older machines.
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Chemical Hoppers (Bouldin & Lawson)
Custom mix lines from Bouldin & Lawson are modular in design, which allows for additional hoppers or for changes to the size and type of hopper when a grower is ready to expand.
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Multi-Hopper Mixing System (Bouldin & Lawson)
This hopper is part of a multi-hopper mixing system that Bouldin & Lawson built for a grower in Massachusetts with multiple pot and tray filling machines. The system delivers 120 yards of soil per hour and is computer controlled to deliver multiple mixes to different locations on demand.
AgriNomix (Oberlin, OH) provides greenhouse growers with integrated solutions that range from stand-alone production equipment to customized production lines. The company recently constructed a large mix line with a capacity to mix 60 to 120 yards per hour for a growing operation in Ontario, Canada. Several new modifications add to the system’s efficiency and keep the machines running smoothly during critical production periods. Enhancements include email notifications, 24-hour technical support with Internet-based troubleshooting, and webcams that allow technicians to look into the
machine remotely. AgriNomix.com
Bouldin & Lawson
Bouldin & Lawson (McMinnville, TN) works with growers to provide custom mix lines that are modular in design, which allows for additional hoppers or for changes to the size and type of hopper when a grower is ready to expand. The company achieves this flexibility with a plug-and-play control “node” system that eliminates complex control wiring that adds to the expense of expansion or configuration changes. BouldinLawson.com
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Pack Manufacturing
Pack Manufacturing (McMinnville, TN) designed a custom mixing system complete with a conveyor delivery system for a grower who needed something that could keep up with his pot and tray fillers. The mix line processes 90 cubic yards of growing media per hour and includes six bulk hoppers and six stainless steel chemical hoppers. A state-of-the-art control system allows the grower to program custom soil blends for each destination. When the destination calls for soil, the system starts up and delivers the specific size and blended mix to the site. With wireless access to the control system, the grower can view progress and see how much volume has been mixed and delivered from his smartphone. PackMfg.com
Mayer
Mayer (Sparta, IL, and Heidenheim, Germany) worked with an Austrian herb grower to install a soil mix line that gave the grower flexible mixing options. Mayer connected several of its machines into the mix line, including the EM 6012 soil mixer, which can be set for automatic mixing or for direct feeding of a potting machine or tray-filling machine. The soil mixer has a special mixing system with a swiveling elevator that tilts backward for mixing. The elevator chains and a rubber conveyor belt turn continuously to mix the soil. The elevator tilts forward to an unloading position once the soil is mixed. This process ensures a homogenous mixing result. Mayer-Group.com/BellParkHorticulture.com