What is a plough shear mixer?
A plough shear mixer, also sold as a plough mixer, ploughshare mixer or plough shear blender, is a horizontal mixer for dry and moist solids. Plough-shaped blades on a central shaft lift and throw the material into the open space above the bed, so the whole batch is fluidized and mixed in three dimensions rather than folded.
Its main parts are:
- Horizontal drum. A horizontal drum (stainless steel on the machine pictured) with the shaft along its length.
- Plough blades. Plough-shaped blades mounted on the central shaft move in a circular path and lift and throw the material outward.
- Choppers (optional). High-speed chopper units fitted in the drum for lump breakdown or wet granulation.
How a plough shear mixer works
- Load. Powders, granules, pellets or flakes go into the drum; a liquid can be added where the recipe needs it.
- Lift and throw. The shaft turns and the plough blades lift the material and throw it outward into the open space above the material bed.
- Fluidized mixing. This creates a three-dimensional, mechanically fluidized mixing zone with intense shear and impact.
- Choppers. Where fitted, high-speed choppers break down lumps and, with a liquid added, granulate the batch (wet granulation).
- Finish. A batch is typically mixed in a few minutes.
Plough shear mixer vs ribbon blender
Both machines mix dry solids, and Wahal makes both. A ribbon blender folds the batch gently along a U-shaped trough at relatively low speed; a plough shear mixer throws it into a fluidized zone and can be combined with high-speed chopper units.
| Factor | Plough shear mixer | Ribbon blender |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing action | Plough blades lift and throw the batch into a 3D fluidized zone | Gentle, convective folding by helical ribbons |
| Typical mixing time | Often a few minutes | 15–20 minutes |
| Mechanical intensity | Higher: more intense shear and impact | Lower: gentler on friable materials |
| Choppers and granulation | Commonly available as an add-on option | Less common; liquid spray bars can be added |
| Best suited to | Cohesive powders, materials of varied particle size or density, granulation | Free-flowing to moderately cohesive powders, delicate materials |
For small batches, frequent product changes or tight floor space, Wahal also designs vertical ribbon blenders for zero dead zone mixing.
Where plough shear mixers are used
- Agrochemicals. Wettable powders (WP) and water-dispersible granules (WG): the ploughshare mixer is one of the machines in our pesticide and herbicide plants.
- Food, chemical and pharmaceutical plants. Cohesive powders, mixes of particles of different size or density, and products that arrive with lumps.
- Granulation. With choppers and a liquid feed, lumps are broken and the batch wet-granulated in the same machine.
Plough shear mixer specifications and options
Design features published for our plough shear mixer. For a model and a quotation, tell us your material, batch size and whether you need choppers or a liquid feed.
| Parameter | Wahal plough shear mixer |
|---|---|
| Type | Horizontal plough shear mixer (plough mixer) for dry and moist solids |
| Mixing action | Plough blades on a central shaft lift and throw the batch into a fluidized zone |
| Mixing intensity | Higher than a ribbon blender: more intense shear and impact |
| Typical mixing time | A few minutes per batch |
| Choppers | Optional high-speed chopper units for lump breakdown or wet granulation |
| Materials handled | Powders, granules, pellets, flakes and liquids |
| Best suited to | Cohesive powders, materials of varied particle size or density, granulation |
How to choose a powder mixer
Start from the product:
- Cohesive or lumpy powders, mixed particle sizes, or granulation: a plough shear mixer, with choppers for lumps or granulation.
- Free-flowing to moderately cohesive powders, or delicate, friable materials: a ribbon blender, gentler and simpler.
- Small batches, heat-sensitive powders or frequent product changes: a vertical ribbon blender, which mixes batches from 10% of its capacity.
- Powders into a liquid rather than with each other: a powder induction mixer, which draws the powder into the liquid under vacuum, dust-free.
There is no better way to test a mixer than on your own product. Run a trial in our fully equipped laboratory, or rent a machine pre-configured to your requirements for as long as you need: see trials and rentals. Wahal Engineers manufactures plough shear mixers in India at its factory in Bhigan (Murthal), Sonipat, Haryana; its head office is in New Delhi.
Frequently asked questions
What is a plough shear mixer?
A horizontal mixer in which plough-shaped blades on a central shaft lift and throw powders, granules, pellets or flakes into the space above the bed, creating a three-dimensional, mechanically fluidized mixing zone. High-speed choppers can be added for lump breakdown or wet granulation.
How does a plough shear mixer work?
The shaft turns and the plough blades lift the batch and throw it outward, so the material is fluidized and mixed in three dimensions. It is more intense than a ribbon blender, so a batch is typically mixed in a few minutes.
What is the difference between a plough shear mixer and a ribbon blender?
A ribbon blender folds the batch gently at low speed and typically takes 15–20 minutes; it suits free-flowing to moderately cohesive and delicate powders. A plough shear mixer throws the batch into a fluidized zone, mixes in a few minutes, takes optional choppers and suits cohesive powders, mixed particle sizes and granulation. See our ribbon blender page.
Is a ploughshare mixer the same as a plough shear mixer?
Yes. Plough shear mixer, ploughshare mixer, plough mixer, plough shear blender and plow mixer (US spelling) are names for the same machine: a horizontal drum with plough-shaped blades on a central shaft.
What are the choppers for?
Optional high-speed units in the drum. They break down lumps and, with a liquid added, granulate the batch (wet granulation). They are common on plough shear mixers and less common on ribbon blenders.
Can a plough shear mixer handle liquids?
Yes. It mixes powders, granules, pellets and flakes with liquids added to them, and with choppers it can wet-granulate the batch. For mixing a powder into a liquid, use a powder induction mixer.
Do you manufacture plough shear mixers in India?
Yes, at our factory in Bhigan (Murthal), Sonipat, Haryana; the head office is in New Delhi. Tell us your material and batch size, or book a trial, and we will recommend a machine.
