66 -- Automatic Laboratory Mill

The USDA Agricultural Research Service plans to award a single source contract to Buhler Inc. in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the procurement of a Buhler MLU 202 Automatic Laboratory Mill. This replacement mill is intended to match the existing Buhler MLU 202 model, which has been in continuous use for about forty years in the Wheat Quality Laboratory to evaluate experimental milling properties of hard red spring wheat. Maintaining the same structure is crucial for ensuring consistency and uniformity with previous milling trials conducted on breeders' wheat lines. The specified mill must have a grinding capacity between 100 to 200 grams per minute and feature three break passages with corrugated rolls and three reduction passages with smooth rolls, each operating independently and allowing separate flour delivery. It will be specially modified for spring wheat milling, with manually engageable grinding rolls, divided sifter compartments equipped with retractable sieve frames, and a pneumatic suction system that simultaneously aspirates the grinding rolls while moving stock. The milling system will be fully enclosed, incorporating Plexiglass cyclones for each grinding passage, and powered by a single motor system that controls the grinding rolls, adjustable feed rollers, and counterbalance in the sifting mechanism.