Author(s) :

Idris, S.I., Mohammed, U.S., Suleiman, M.L., Sale, N.A..

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

A comprehensive performance evaluation was conducted on an existing IAR multi crop thresher to identify its capabilities and limitations on sorghum threshing. The threshing unit was identified to have some deficiencies in the form of inadequate number of beaters and the absence of cutting knives on the cylinder cover. Test result showed that its performance parameters were low. The output capacity, threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency, grain damages and scatter losses were found to be 76.32 kg/hr, 90.87%, 88.95%, 5.17% and 4.30% respectively. The thresher was modified by redesigning the threshing, cleaning and feeding units. To increase threshing effectiveness; the number of pegs around the threshing cylinder was increased, three rows of cutting knives were mounted on the cylinder cover and the size of the sieve shaker holes were redesigned by considering sorghum grain size characteristics. The redesigned thresher was fabricated using locally available materials. Its performance was evaluated under four feed rates; 3, 4, 5 and 6 kg/min, four cylinder speeds; 600, 700, 800, and 900 rpm and two levels of moisture content (8.93 and 10.38%). Test result of the modified thresher indicate an average output capacity, threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency, grain damages and scatter losses values of 219.92 kg/hr, 98.00%, 95.58 %, 1.78% and 4.36% respectively.

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