Development and Evaluation of a Simple Grading Machine for Okra Pods | ||
| Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering | ||
| Article 4, Volume 10, Issue 4, April 2019, Pages 227-232 PDF (581.95 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jssae.2019.36737 | ||
| Author | ||
| Magda Mosa | ||
| Agric. Eng. Res. Inst. (AEnRI), Giza | ||
| Abstract | ||
| It will be helpful for farmers and market dealers to determine their prices by more accurate ways accepted to the consumer. So grading plays an active role in the marketing attractiveness. The main objective of this study was to develop, test and evaluate a small grading machine of okra pods to suitable for small Egyptian growers. Two machines parameters each of four levels were studied such as fruit feeding rates (350, 400, 450 and 500 kg/h), speed of reel sizer 20, 35, 50, and 65 rpm (0.419, 0.733, 1.047 and 1.361 m/s), and two types of mesh shape (square cells and parallel bars cells) on the machine grading capacity (kg/h), and efficiency (%). The mechanical damage percentages of okra pods were also determined. Results showed that this machine is quite successful for grading okra crop. The best result was obtained at 400 kg/h fruit feeding rate, and 35 rpm reel speed using parallel bars cell shape. At these levels the maximum grading efficiency of 95.2 % were obtained with machine grading capacity of 331 kg/h . At the same feeding rate 400kg/h using square cells at rotating speed of the sieves of 50 rpm, the maximum grading efficiency of 92.6 % was obtained which coincided with machine grading capacity of 335 kg/h. The mechanical damage for okra pods under study increased when grading process was carried by square cells compared with parallel bars. Grading okra pods by the proposed machine at optimum grading conditions, produced mechanical damage lower than the limits permitted for the market (5%). | ||
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