Batch Plow Mixers & Blenders
B&P Littleford’s Horizontal Plow Mixer creates a mechanical, fluidized bed mixing action ideally suited for a wide range of powders, pastes, and high-viscosity batch mixing applications. The mixing tools project and hurl material away from the vessel wall into free space in a crisscross direction, then pull it inversely back again — the plow action separates and lifts the product in a three-dimensional motion, while the number and arrangement of the tools ensure agitation back and forth along the length of the vessel. When required, the mix action is assisted by high-shear chopper devices: independent high-speed motors with customized blades for adding shear to the product mix. The size, number, geometric shape, arrangement, and peripheral speed of the mixing tools are engineered to achieve this action for each specific application, making the Plow Blender one of the most versatile horizontal batch mixing platforms available.
B&P Littleford's Horizontal Batch Mixers feature two mixing blades that rotate toward each other at different speeds inside a shaped trough. The blades move the materials in opposing directions, ensuring excellent cross-mixing of materials, while close tolerances create shearing action that assists with size reduction of solids. Models are available ranging from 0.25 gallon (0.95 liter) lab mixers up to 1,000 gallon (3,800 liter) production mixers.
Horizontal Plow Mixer Features
B&P Littleford engineered the Plow Mixer to deliver consistent, high-quality batch mixing with fast changeovers and minimal downtime:
Improved Cleaning and Access:
- Large doors for full access to the vessel interior — simplifies cleaning of difficult applications and reduces downtime
- Better discharge capabilities with optional dual or oversized doors
- CIP/SIP hardware options available
- "Easy Clean" design available for batch or continuous material mixing
Split Seal Assembly:
Main shaft support bearings are located outside the seals to eliminate contamination between the bearing and the product. B&P Littleford's Split Seal Assembly is designed with beneficial features:
- No special tools required for cleaning or maintenance
- Bearings and drive components are not disturbed for cleaning or maintenance
- Split seal assembly can be adapted for vacuum operation
Customizable Features:
- Spray injection
- E-Z clean shaft seals
- Total stainless steel construction with required polish
- Direct shaft mount drives
- Variable speed motors
- Computerized controls
- ASME jackets for cooling and heating
- Cored agitators for enhanced product temperature control
- Tilt or valve discharge
- Full vacuum operation
- Vacuum equipped packing glands
Additional Batch Plow Mixer Features:
- Choice of blade styles including sigma, dispersion (naben), single-curve, and custom blade styles to optimize mixing efficiency and cycle time
- Nearly any component or system can be customized including metallurgy, tilt operation, discharge systems, jacketed troughs, shaft seals, controls, and more
- Vacuum systems are available for mixing, drying, solvent recovery, and distillation
- Models are available from 0.25 gallon (0.95 liter) lab systems up to 1,000 gallon (3,800 liter) production systems
- Explosion-proof motors and other options are offered in compliance with UL, CE, and ATEX regulations
- Viscosities can be effectively and efficiently handled from 250,000 cps to 5,000,000 cps
The Batch Mixing Solution You Need
The Horizontal Plow Mixer is engineered for processors who require versatility, fast cycle times, and consistent quality across a wide range of high-viscosity materials. It is ideal for operations that demand:
- Rapid, uniform mixing of powders, pastes, and viscous compounds in a single batch
- Three-dimensional mixing action that eliminates dead spots and minimizes batch-to-batch variance
- Optional high-shear chopper devices for products that require added shear
- Easy access for rapid cleaning and product changeovers
- Flexible configurations — from lab-scale (0.25 gallon) to full production (1,000 gallon)
- Explosion-proof and sanitary options for regulated or hazardous materials
How the Horizontal Plow Mixer Works
B&P Littleford's Plow Mixer operates on a rotating plow-tool principle inside a horizontal cylindrical vessel. The mixing tools project and hurl material away from the vessel wall into free space in a crisscross pattern, then pull it inversely back again — the plow separates and lifts the product in a three-dimensional motion while the number, geometry, arrangement, and peripheral speed of the tools are engineered to deliver consistent agitation along the full length of the vessel.
When formulations require additional shear, independent high-speed chopper devices with customized blades can be added to the mix action without disrupting the primary plow-mixing cycle. The result is fast, thorough mixing with minimal dead zones and reduced batch-to-batch variation compared to simpler rotary or ribbon designs.
The Split Seal Assembly and large-door "Easy Clean" design provide quick, unobstructed access to the vessel interior for cleaning and inspection, significantly reducing downtime during product changeovers — an important advantage for facilities running multiple formulations through the same mixer.
Prove Your Process: The B&P Littleford Technology Center
Choosing a new mixing technology is a critical decision. We invite you to eliminate the guesswork and prove your results before you invest.
Located in Saginaw, Michigan, our 16,000-square-foot facility is one of the most comprehensive process laboratories in the United States.
- Confidential Evaluations: Our staff of experienced engineers and technicians handle dozens of confidential product evaluations every year.
- Empirical Analysis: Conduct a test run on the Horizontal Plow Mixer to calculate precise performance metrics for your specific materials and formulations.
- Scale-Up Confidence: The data and operating parameters of your formulation are used to scale to the size needed for your full production requirements.
- Optimization with "Dead Stop" Analysis: The clamshell/split-door design allows us to halt the process mid-stream and open the machine, enabling a direct, empirical evaluation of each unit operation for maximum optimization.
Plow Mixer Machine Sizes
B&P Littleford offers the Horizontal Plow Mixer across a full range of sizes to match your output requirements, from pilot-scale development to maximum-throughput production:
- Lab & Pilot Scale (0.25–5 gallon): Ideal for R&D, formulation development, and small-batch process validation.
- Mid-Range Production: Suited for moderate-volume batch mixing programs across chemicals, food, and consumer products.
- Full Production (up to 1,000 gallon / 3,800 liter): Maximum-throughput batch mixing for the most demanding large-scale output requirements.
Standard Machine Specifications:
- Sizes: 0.25 gallon (0.95 liter) lab systems up to 1,000 gallon (3,800 liter) production systems
- Blade styles: sigma, dispersion (naben), single-curve, and custom
- Viscosity range: 250,000 cps to 5,000,000 cps
- Explosion-proof motors available in compliance with UL, CE, and ATEX regulations
- Optional high-shear chopper devices, spray injection, cored agitators, ASME jackets, and vacuum operation
Plow Mixer Application Areas
The B&P Littleford Horizontal Plow Mixer is well-proven across a broad range of industries and high-viscosity mixing applications:
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Industry |
Sample Products |
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Chemical |
Cellulose, powdered metals, glass bubbles/beads, ceramic, abrasives, wood flour, aluminum powder, vermiculite, lime, carbon compounds, graphite, silica, friction material, agricultural chemicals, herbicides, biomass, pesticides, fly ash, zinc oxide, activated charcoal, nano particles |
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Food |
Proteins, grated cheese, cocoa, bread/cake mix, spices, drink mix, gelatin dessert, grain, animal feed, sugar, frosting, coffee beans, dextrin, candy, citric acid, soup mix, cereal, flax seed, pectin, stevia |
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Consumer Products |
Soaps, detergents, dental adhesive, tobacco, toothpaste, cosmetic powders, grouting materials, lipstick, powdered chalk |
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Minerals |
Iron ore, bentonite, gypsum, cement, clay, ferric oxide, calcium carbonate, talc, limestone, slag |
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Pharmaceuticals |
Dental paste, API, nutraceuticals, enzymes, riboflavin, ginseng |
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Plastics |
Pigments, powder coating, gum rubber, wax, melamine |
Customizable Plow Mixer Features
B&P Littleford builds every Plow Mixer to your process requirements:
- Spray injection systems
- E-Z clean shaft seals and Split Seal Assembly
- Total stainless steel construction with required polish
- Direct shaft mount drives and variable speed motors
- Computerized controls with recipe management
- ASME jackets for cooling and heating
- Cored agitators for enhanced temperature control
- Tilt or valve discharge configurations
- Full vacuum operation with vacuum-equipped packing glands
- Explosion-proof motors (UL, CE, ATEX compliant)
Put the Plow Mixer to Work for You
B&P Littleford is prepared and equipped to help you find the right Plow Mixer or Blender solution for your batch mixing needs. The Horizontal Plow Mixer has a very successful track record processing high-viscosity powders, pastes, and specialty compounds across chemical, food, consumer products, minerals, pharmaceutical, and plastics applications — and we invite you to see what it can do for yours.
Whether you're looking to validate a new formulation, scale up from pilot to production, or replace an underperforming mixer, we're ready to prove the performance of the Plow Mixer with your specific materials.
Take advantage of our decades of experience and proven technology by contacting us to discuss your process requirements.
Let's Connect!Frequently Asked Questions About the Horizontal Plow Mixer
What is a plow mixer?
A plow mixer (or plow blender) is a horizontal batch mixer that uses rotating plow-shaped tools to project material away from the vessel wall and pull it back in a three-dimensional, crisscross motion. B&P Littleford's Horizontal Plow Mixer creates this mechanical, fluidized bed mixing action for powders, pastes, and high-viscosity compounds.
How does a plow mixer differ from a ribbon or paddle mixer?
The plow mixer's three-dimensional lifting and hurling action produces a fluidized bed effect that mixes material faster and more uniformly than simple rotary paddle or ribbon designs. Optional high-shear chopper devices can also be added independently of the primary plow action for products that require additional shear without disrupting the overall mixing cycle.
What materials can the plow mixer process?
The Horizontal Plow Mixer is well-proven across chemical, food, consumer products, mineral, pharmaceutical, and plastics applications — including powders, pastes, sealing compounds, adhesives, silicon and carbon compounds, abrasives, sugar pastes, molding compounds, doughs, and propellants.
What sizes does the plow mixer come in?
B&P Littleford's Plow Mixer is available from 0.25 gallon (0.95 liter) lab-scale systems up to 1,000 gallon (3,800 liter) production systems, with blade styles including sigma, dispersion (naben), single-curve, and custom configurations to match your process.
Can I test the plow mixer before purchasing?
Yes. B&P Littleford's Technology Center in Saginaw, Michigan is available for confidential process evaluations using your specific materials and formulations. Our experienced engineers and technicians will work with you to generate empirical performance data that can be used to confidently specify and scale the right Plow Mixer for your production needs.