Feed pipe cleaning ball, 55 mm, soft

In an air-blown feed system, feed dust, fat from the feed and condensation slowly build up inside pipes and hoses. As the line narrows, the air speed rises, the feed travels faster and breaks more easily, and at worst the line blocks. Regular cleaning with a sponge ball keeps the line clean and cuts feed loss and downtime.

The ball is put in at the start of the line, for example through a 45° branch with a cap on each line, and the air from the blower carries it all the way out to the cage or tank. On the way it presses against the pipe wall and takes the dirt with it. It floats, so it is easy to pick out of the tank with a landing net.

Feed system makers recommend sending one ball through each line before feeding starts in the morning and another when it ends. Feeding must be stopped meanwhile, so that no pellets are in the line, and only one ball may be in a line at a time, since two can lower the air pressure so much that they stop. An air speed of about 20 m/s is recommended; at that speed a ball passes through a 400 m line in about 20 seconds. If the balls come out dirtier than usual, send more, one at a time.

The ball is 55 mm, almost the same as the inner diameter of a 63 mm SDR17 PE pipe (55.4 mm), so it presses firmly against the wall. The pipe must keep the same bore all the way to the tank. The ball is made of natural rubber foam (latex) with open cells and a density of 160 to 180 kg/m³. The soft ball is lighter and moves more easily along the line, which suits farms that feed with a low-pressure side channel blower. The same ball also comes medium firm. The balls can be washed in an ordinary washing machine and used again. Other sizes, from 20 to 250 mm, are available to order.