1 Soybean Processing & Utilization Centre, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Nabi Bagh, Bhopal – 462 038.
2 Agro Processing Division, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Nabi Bagh, Bhopal – 462 038.
A baling machine developed earlier in the Institute (CIAE) was used for the study. The U-Clip welding method of tying the bales required only 60 s as compared to over 280 s in conventional baling and found economical with a cost of only Rs 1.93/bale. Compressibility and the expansion characteristics of paddy straw at 10–30% moisture levels were studied. The rate of expansion during first 30 seconds was maximum and it decreased rapidly after 5 min.
