The growth of the farming business has an impact on feeding technology. Feed is one of the most important factors influencing the success of livestock. The feed does not only come from fresh and green material for the cattle, but also from mixing that green feed with various nutritional ingredients. The success of making feed cannot be separated from the available equipment and machinery. There are various types of mixers. We know the stationary TMR mixer, the trailed TMR mixer, the multiple auger TMR mixer, and so on. So how should we go about choosing the mixer for feed production?
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Why Does a Farmer Need to Purchase a Mixer?
The use of proper equipment is a key factor in getting good quality feed. Although it seems pricy at first, over the long term it greatly relieves the operational cost, since the real expense is the depreciation of the machine spread across years of use rather than the purchase price alone. Using a mixer brings a significant impact on feed, because it is more effective and efficient in both cost and labour.
For self-production, breeders need to understand how to formulate matched feed, along with some knowledge of nutrition, the availability of raw materials, and the manufacturing process itself. The nutrient content of a feed, covering protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water, is what determines its nutritional value, so feed management deserves real attention.
Single Auger or Multiple Augers?
This is the practical question most buyers are really asking, so it is worth answering directly before going into specifications.
A single auger mixer has one mixing screw. It is simpler, lighter, needs less tractor power, and costs less. For a smaller herd it does the job perfectly well. A multiple auger mixer has two or more screws working together, which lets it handle a bigger batch and generally produces a more even mix across that larger volume.
The deciding factor is usually batch size. If your herd has grown to the point where you are running the mixer two or three times just to get through one feeding, you are spending time and fuel that a larger multi-auger machine would save. If a single batch already covers your feeding, a bigger machine mostly adds cost and manoeuvring difficulty.
| Consideration | Single Auger | Multiple Auger |
|---|---|---|
| Batch size | Smaller loads, smaller herds | Larger loads, fewer trips per feeding |
| Mix evenness | Good within its rated capacity | Better across large volumes |
| Power needed | Lower, easier on the tractor | Higher, needs a stronger tractor |
| Cost | Lower purchase and running cost | Higher, justified by volume |
If you want to look at the other side of this comparison in more detail, our guide to the single auger TMR mixer covers it, and our overview of TMR mixer sizes helps with matching capacity to herd.
Recognizing the Standard Specification of a Multiple Auger TMR Mixer
Having a multiple auger mixer means the equipment comes with more than one mixing auger. Sizes vary, though this class of machine commonly falls in the range of 12 to 28 cubic metres. Some models also feature a horizontal flow system, which helps make sure the feed is processed evenly throughout the chamber. Details differ from one brand to another, so buyers need to be selective and match the specification to how the machine will actually be used.
Below are several features commonly found on multiple auger mixers.
- Two stream augers, usually matched in size, with flighting in the region of 22 mm or wings around 25 mm.
- Two reversible restrictor blades, which control how aggressively long forage is processed.
- A wide-angle PTO shaft for the tractor connection.
- An adjustable and reversible drawbar, with a 40 mm drawbar eye under European standards, although other sizes are available.
- A single axle carrying two large wheels.
- Bowden cable control with a wear ring, along with a hydraulic brake system that transmits fluid through the brake circuit.
- Short auger knives for reducing the size of raw materials, and a larger discharge door, usually with rounded edges for cleaner discharge.
There are many technical specifications to weigh up in any mixer you buy, and it is worth taking the time to understand them, since they directly influence the quality of the finished feed. Products can often be customized as well, whether in dimensions or added specifications, by talking to the dealer. For a fuller breakdown, see our guide to feed mixer specifications.
How to Actually Run a Multiple Auger Mixer Well
Owning the right machine is only half the job. A good deal of the ration quality that reaches the feed bunk is decided by how the mixer is loaded and how long it runs, and this is where many operations quietly lose ground.
Load in the right sequence. Ingredients that need processing go in first so they have time to be cut down to length. As a general order, lower-density feeds with larger particles are loaded first, followed by dry feeds, then wet feeds, with liquids added last to prevent dry ingredients from balling up. Following the same sequence for every batch, with every operator, is what keeps results consistent.
Mix for the right length of time. The usual recommendation is three to five minutes after the last ingredient has been added, at the mixer’s rated speed. Manufacturer recommendations generally fall in the three to six minute range.
Do not overmix. This is the most common and most costly mistake. Extra mixing time beyond the recommendation does not improve the mix. It simply keeps reducing particle size, and in some cases it actually causes the mix to segregate. One survey of 49 herds feeding TMR found an average mixing time of 16 minutes, with a range stretching from 2 to 60 minutes, which shows just how far practice can drift from what the machines actually need.
Match the load to the machine. Overfilling prevents the ingredients from moving properly, so the mix never becomes uniform. Underfilling causes its own problem, since small-quantity ingredients such as minerals can hang up on the screws instead of dispersing through the batch. Keep the mixer level as well, so it is not fighting gravity while trying to distribute feed.
“When a customer asks me whether to move up to a multiple auger machine, I never start with the specification sheet. I start by asking how many batches they run per feeding. If a farm is mixing three times to feed one group, the extra augers pay for themselves in time and fuel alone. But if one batch already covers it, a bigger machine just means a bigger tractor and a harder turn in the yard. The right answer is nearly always about batch count, not about wanting the larger machine.”
Sue Su, Marketing Director, Jummos
Choosing a Mixer and a Manufacturer
Choosing the type and brand of a mixer can be a challenging task, since there are so many providers selling products with different specializations and appealing specifications. Manufacturers compete hard to meet the demand for feed quality and productivity. We would rather not leave you stuck in that confusion.
Let us introduce Jummos, a manufacturer of agricultural machinery based in Qingdao, China. We offer full specifications for multiple auger TMR mixers and other mixer types, built to process material thoroughly without destroying the fibre structure the animals need. You can find the information that actually matters, including capacity, discharge arrangement, height, weight, and other features. Colour and capacity can be customized, and OEM supply is available for distributors and brand partners. Press the contact button and start the conversation.
So which one do you prefer, multiple augers or single augers?
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I choose a multiple auger TMR mixer over a single auger?
The clearest signal is batch count. If you are running the mixer more than once to complete a single feeding, a multiple auger machine will save time, fuel, and labour every day. Multiple augers also mix more evenly across large volumes, which matters as herd size grows. If one batch already covers your feeding, however, a single auger machine is usually the better value, since a larger mixer brings a higher purchase price, a bigger tractor requirement, and more difficulty manoeuvring in tight yards.
How long should a multiple auger mixer run?
Around three to five minutes after the last ingredient has been loaded, running at the mixer’s rated speed, with manufacturer recommendations generally falling between three and six minutes. Longer is not better. Mixing beyond the recommended time keeps cutting particle size down without improving uniformity, and it can even cause the mix to separate. Since cattle need adequate fibre length for proper rumen function, overmixing works directly against the ration you formulated.
Does the loading order really matter?
Yes, considerably. Ingredients needing processing should go in first so they have time to be cut to length. After that, the general order runs from lower-density large-particle feeds, to dry feeds, to wet feeds, with liquids last so dry ingredients do not clump together. Just as important as the order itself is applying it consistently, since a sequence that changes between operators or between batches produces a ration that changes with it.
Reviewed by Sue Su, Marketing Director of Jummos, on August14, 2026. Loading sequence and mixing time guidance was checked against current dairy extension and manufacturer recommendations to keep the information accurate for farmers.