Effect of Machine and Crop Parameters on Paddy (Oryza sativa) Threshing using Axial Flow Thresher

India is one of the largest rice producers in the world, contributing 20% to global rice production. In Central India, Madhya Pradesh recently started rice production after the failure of soybean. Paddy harvesting in Madhya Pradesh is mostly done by manual labour, and threshing is done by electric or tractor-operated threshers. To minimize threshing losses, proper combination operational parameter conditions for thresher are to be known. In this study, performance evaluation of tractor-operated axial flow paddy thresher was conducted at JNKVV Research farm Jabalpur at 3 feeding rates (1750, 1800, 1850 kg.h-1), 3 cylinder speeds (456, 536, 610 rev.min-1), and 3 paddy moisture contents [12, 14, 16% (d. b.)] for 3 different varieties (Kranti, JR-81, PS-5) of paddy. The thresher gave best results at 610 rev.min-1 cylinder speed, 1,850 kg.h-1 feed rate, and 12% grain moisture. Kranti variety had 98.54% threshing efficiency, 97.93% cleaning efficiency, and 0.13% broken grain. With JR-81 variety, the thresher could operate with 98.40% optimum threshing efficiency, 97.39% cleaning efficiency, and 0.67% broken grain. Similarly, the threshing performance of PS-5 variety was 98.0% threshing efficiency, 98.61% cleaning efficiency, and 0.4% broken grain percentage. Significant effect of different experimented varieties was not observed in threshing and cleaning efficiencies. However, lowest broken grain percentage in Kranti variety might be due to minimum grain length as compared to the other two varieties

Optimization of Operational Parameters for Axial Flow Paddy Thresher Using RSM

Post-harvest practices remains significant qualitative and quantitative throughout the paddy value chain despite rising agricultural productivity. When it comes to rice, most losses occur during the harvesting and threshing operations. In optimizing operating variables, the use of response surface methodology (RSM) and complete randomized design (CRD) is effective. This research discusses the application of these approaches to determine the impact of various operational factors on the performance of an axial flow paddy threshers. Three major operating variables, feeding rate, cylinder speed, moisture content, were changed during the paddy threshing. The machine was evaluated using feed rates in the range of 1700 to 1900 kg/h, threshing cylinder speed from 400 to 650 rpm, and crop moisture content 12 to 16% for the crop. Algebraic models were created in Design-Expert software using computer simulation by the least-squares method to optimize the variables. Models for fuel consumption and torque requirement for threshing were developed and represented the three operational parameters. The study found that all three parameters significantly affected fuel consumption and torque requirement at the linear and quadratic levels. Furthermore, the optimum the torque requirement and fuel consumption was 1152.78 Nm and 2.51 l/h, respectively at 12% moisture content of paddy, Which was recorded at feed rate (1703.92 kg/h), cylinder speed (400 rpm). However, no significant change was observed at the level of the interactions