Modification and Performance Evaluation of Pedal Operated Rotary Type Groundnut Decorticator-cum-Cleaner

Groundnut shelling is done either by hand shelling or by hand, pedal and power operated decorticators. Hand or pedal operated decorticators have low capacity (below 80 kg/h) and have no facility to separate kernels and husk. Whereas power operated decorticators have these facilities but they are costlier. The Pedal Operated Rotary Type Groundnut Decorticator-cum-Cleaner was, therefore, modified to bridge these two extremities. The machine consists of main shaft which is driven by chain and freewheel through pedaling, which rotates the rotary unit in decorticating cylinder where decortication takes place. Agitator shaft is driven by chain and freewheel through main shaft, which agitates groundnut pods present in the hopper, thus avoiding clogging problem. A blower is also driven by pulleys and V belt through main shaft which blows husk and separates kernels. Tests indicated that weight of machine was 84.5 kg. Its average decorticating capacity was 153.5 kg pods/h, average output capacity was 82.62 kg kernels/h, average decorticating efficiency was 89.45%, average cleaning efficiency was 91.52%, average breakage was 7.89%, and its cost of operation was found to be Rs. 16.05/100 kg kernels. Machine showed satisfactory results and it was suitable for small and medium farmers. Keywords: Groundnut, Decortication, Decorticator-cum-Cleaner, Decorticating efficiency, Cleaning efficiency