Smartwood PLT-50 - Single-phase Electric Wood Pellet Machine

The PLT-50 is entirely Made in Italy, ensuring the highest quality standards. It features a simple construction, the result of a precision engineering study confirmed by the tests made on different types of wood and more.

It is essential to consider approaching the pelletising process methodically, considering the different dynamics of pellet thermoforming (type and/or essence of wood, grain size, moisture content, and possibly natural soil conditioners), in order to obtain a quality pellet and a satisfactory production yield suitable for the Kwh of the machine used.

In order to obtain a high-quality pellet and maximum production efficiency, it is ALWAYS necessary to evaluate some factors regarding the wood:

• Moisture content: of the wood
• Grain size: of the wood
• Type of die plate: i.e. the right compression according to the type/essence of the biomass

Each type of wood reacts differently during the thermoforming process. It is indispensable to consider the wood pellet machine as a tool, so it is imperative to use the right one according to the wood processed, i.e. the right die plate compression.

The correctly conditioned material is discharged from the die plate equipped with a material preloading part (inlet flaring), after which a cylindrical part (usually 6 mm diameter) will carry out the correct thermoforming of the product. This last part determines the degree of compression to give to the material to be pelletised.

The wood pellet machine is experiencing a steadily growing demand, as it was conceived as a consequence of the use of wood chippers, the disposal of green branches or carpentry waste.

Please note: sawdust and shavings from wood processing are excellent materials to be turned into pellets..

This machine will enable you to recycle the wood chips produced by your garden shredder or wood cutting machines in an extremely profitable way. You’ll be the able to to easily produce a high-quality energy-efficient fuel.

How to produce pellet at home?

Small branches, pruning waste, sawdust and shavings can easily be turned into pellets.

Before introducing such material into the pellet mill, it is essential to shred it, ensuring to obtain the same fundamental dynamics for thermoforming.

Since it is necessary to respect the homogeneity of the grain size, it is highly recommended a prior refining of the biomass with a machine having a refining sieve in order to obtain an immediately pelletisable product.

We could recommend garden shredders equipped with an interchangeable 8 mm sieve, such as Ceccato's Tritone and Tritone Maxi models, or AgriEuro's 7 Hp and 15 Hp garden shredders.

Highly important: Pruning waste and twigs should be dried before shredding.

1. The wood must already be dried HUMIDITY from 10 to 14% (depending on the wood type and the time of year for summer-winter pellets)
2. First wood shredding: the first thing to do is to shred the wood coarsely with the garden shredder without using any sieve.
3. Second wood shredding: re-enter the wood chips into the garden shredder. It is sifted through a suitable sieve (approx. 8 mm) in order to obtain the right grain size.
4. Once the material has been properly conditioned (grain size, moisture content 10/14%) it can be fed into the machine to be pelleted.

Recommendations: foreign bodies of different diameters or pieces of iron will significantly affect the wood pellet machine and may cause sever damages and breakage of the machine.

Results may change depending on the type of wood and the wood chips drying level. Example: broad-leaved trees (beech, chestnut, oak, etc.) will require less compression than the H22 standard.

During pellet production process it is always necessary the presence of an Operator near the machine to feed it with wood, or using biomass dosing systems by means of our own feeders. However, the presence of an Operator is required anyway as the machine must be always controlled during use.

The wood pellet machine, i.e. the machine that extrudes the pellets, features a flat rotating die with a 119 mm diameter.

A pair of rollers featuring 78 mm diameter and equipped with 2 bearings each ensures pressing the wood chips. The press rollers are powered by a 3 Hp single-phase electric motor.

The wood pellet machine, in order to ensure the highest-quality results, must be used with the specific die plate according to the type of wood you need to shred.

Smartwood die plates are marked with an alphanumeric code that indicates the degree of compression.

An H22 die plate for medium compression is fitted as standard, suitable for pelletising any type/essence of wood, taking care to mix softwoods with hardwoods.

The machine is also supplied with a 1.5 Kg bucket containing a special Smartwood-exclusive mixture necessary for the initial start-up of the machine and which can also be used after a long storage, or for die clogging due to misuse of the machine, solving the polishing problem.

The machine is equipped with a transparent tube on its side that allows seeing the greasing status of the thrust bearing. Simply enter S3 V460 2 grease by means of a hand pump into the grease nipple on the front and the wasted oil will start to flow out of the tube. When the oil that flows out becomes the same colour as the new oil, the lubrication will have been carried out correctly.

The wood chips must be entered from the upper feeding hopper.

Hopper dimension:

• Upper 29 x 29 cm
• Base 10.5 x 10.5 cm

The pellet produced is discharged through the discharge chute.

The wood pellet machine hourly output varies between 40 and 50 Kg * and produces a pellet with a diameter of 6 mm.

(*The hourly output varies considerably according to the biomass used).

Overall dimensions:

Length: 870 mm;
Width: 390 mm;
Height: 1060 mm

The machine is equipped with 4 wheels, 2 of which pivoting, allowing easy transport.