Development and performance evaluation of tractor operated shredder.
Pathak S. V., Powar A. G., Dhande K. G.
Author Affiliation: Department of Farm Machinery and Power, Dr. Bala Saheb Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri (M.S.), India.
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences 4 : 88-94
Abstract : The development and performance evaluation of tractor operated shredder was carried out at the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dapoli, Maharashtra, India. A 35 hp, 540±10 PTO rpm tractor operated shredder with a capacity of 300 kg/hr was developed and evaluated for horticultural pruned waste viz. Mango (Mangifera indica), Sapota (Manilkara zapota), Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) branches and Harvested Grasses in order to utilize them as organic matter as well as industrial applications. During testing, feeding unit, cutting unit and power transmission system worked satisfactorily for selected horticultural pruned waste and harvested grasses. At the optimum speed of the cutter head i.e. 450 rpm, more than 80% cut pieces were observed in the length group of 20-40 and 40-60 mm with a capacity for all five- crop waste. The required operation period for 100 kg pruned branches of mango, sapota, cashew, nutmeg and grasses was 0.36, 0.40, 0.46, 0.51 and 0.32 h. The total cost of developed machine (excluding tractor cost) was Rs. 33?800.