Types of Pigeon Pea Sheller Machines
The pigeon pea sheller machines are valuable agricultural tools with various designs and models to suit specific needs and preferences. In general, they can be categorized mainly by their operational mechanism, type of automation, size and capacity, installation and portability, power source, and efficiency features.
- By Operational Mechanism: Pigeon pea sheller machines are commonly classified by their operational mechanism into air-blast and centrifugal shellers. On the one hand, the air-blast shellers utilize a strong stream of air to separate the shelled peas from the husk and impurities. On the other hand, centrifugal shellers apply centrifugal force to segregate the shelled peas from the waste through distinct revolving chambers.
- By Automation: Pigeon pea sheller machines are usually categorized into manual and automatic shelling machines based on different types of automation. Manual shelling machines compel operators to manually feed the pigeon peas into the machine, while automatic ones are more efficient and faster, requiring less human intervention.
- By Size and Capacity: Generally speaking, the pigeon pea sheller machines can be divided into small-sized, medium-sized, and large-scale machines. Small-sized sheller machines are more suitable for household and farm use due to their compact size, while medium- and large-scale ones are more appropriate for commercial purposes.
- By Installation and Portability: According to installation and portability options, shelling machines are separated into stationary and portable ones. Portable pigeon pea shellers are moveable, allowing farmers to shell peas in different locations. Stationary ones are more suited for large-scale farming operations in fixed-location setup.
- By Power Sources: The pigeon pea shelling machines can be classified into electric and manual shellers according to their power sources. Manual shellers are driven by the manual effort of the operator, which is applicable in locations without electricity or for those desiring self-sufficient farming practices. Electric shellers utilize electric power to operate, featuring higher efficiency and convenience.
- Efficiencies: Some models may also include efficiency-enhancing features like variable speeds or automated sorting mechanisms.
Specifications and maintenance of the pigeon pea sheller machine
Due to its capacity and efficient design, the following specifications highlight the powerful features of the pigeon pea sheller machine:
- Capacity: The amount of pigeon peas shelled is often the main way to evaluate it. The sheller machine can have a capacity ranging from 20 kg per hour to 2,000 kg per hour. A hand-operated sheller machine can shell up to 20 kg per hour, but electric machines can shell up to 500 kg per hour. An industrial-scale sheller machine can shell up to 2,000 kg per hour.
- Power Source: The power sources can be hand cranks, foot pedals, electricity, or gasoline engines. Electric and gasoline-powered machines are more efficient than manually operated machines.
- Pea hopper size: The size of the pea hopper impacts how many shelled peas are collected. The size can vary from 1 kg to 50 kg.
- Weight: The machine weighs around 30 kg to 300 kg, depending on the size of the machine. Smaller, portable machines will be more lightweight and are used at home or small-scale farms.
- Dimension: The size of the machine varies according to its type: tabletop, manual, electric, and hand-held. It can vary from 1 meter to 2.5 meters in length, 0.5 meters to 1 meter in breadth, and 1 to 2.5 meters in height.
- Material: The shelling mechanism is made of either stainless steel, die-cast aluminum, nylon, or food-grade plastic. The disks and blades are usually made of stainless steel due to its rust-resistant quality.
Maintenance
It is essential to keep the machine free of pigeon pea residue and other legumes, which can damage the disk blades and other shelling parts. Regular inspections will ensure that the shelling parts move smoothly without any noise or damage. The shelling efficiency will remain optimal with periodic cleaning, lubricating, and oiling.
Sheller machines that are powered by electricity or gasoline require extra care in the wiring or electrical parts. If any wires are frayed or cracked, they should be repaired or covered to prevent any electrical shock hazard. Components such as drive belts and chains, bearings, and friction clutches should be checked periodically to ensure proper tension and alignment. Any oiling or lubrication should also be checked whenever these components are inspected. Electrical connections should be checked periodically to ensure no corrosion or rust is present. A proper grounding system should always be maintained on any electrically powered machinery.
Usage scenarios of pigeon pea sheller machines
Pigeon pea sheller machines are essential tools in the agricultural industry. Farmers use them to reduce the workload and time taken to shell pigeon peas manually. They provide efficient and timely processing, which is crucial during harvest season.
Medium- to large-scale pigeon pea sheller machine models can be used commercially. These include farmers' cooperatives, agricultural processing units, and food companies. They use them for mass production of shelled pigeon peas for sale in the local and international markets. The shells are then used for animal feed.
In the home or small-scale setting, the hand-held or small casters models are useful for domestic purposes. They can be used by enthusiastic chefs or home cooks who enjoy cooking meals containing pigeon peas. They can also be used to supplement the income by selling shelled peas to neighbors or local grocery stores.
Other industries that use shelled pigeon peas include the food processing, nutrition supplement, export, and packaged food industries. The kernel is processed into flour and used to manufacture gluten-free products. They are also made into packaged soup and other products and sold to consumers directly or through retailers.
How to choose pigeon pea sheller machines
When choosing a good-quality pigeon pea sheller for retail, the qualities of the shelling machine that need to be checked include efficiency, technology, durability, capacity, adjustable parameters, and maintenance requirements.
- Productivity: The efficiency of the machine has to be checked to see how fast it is able to process pigeon peas. The shelling rate and overall efficiency will be influenced by the speed and smooth operation of the machine.
- Automation: Automation in a machine helps to reduce manual intervention. The amount of labor required in shelling pigeon peas can be drastically reduced by selecting machines that have automated feeding and discharging processes. The sheller machine will give consistent results if there is less human involvement. The mechanical parts of the machine will include gears, rollers, hoppers, and sieves, all of which will help to make the machine automated.
- Quality: The machine has to be made with good steel or any other strong material that is used in its construction. Shelling pigeon peas requires a lot of pressure and force. The machine has to withstand all of it without getting damaged or worn out. The vital parts of the machine are its rollers, blades, sieves, and hoppers.
- Capacity of the Machine: The demand in the market and the business size will determine the capacity required to shell pigeon peas. Large-scale businesses will need sheller machines with more capacity so that they can meet the demands of their customers.
- Adjustable Parameters: Most mechanized shelling systems have fixed and adjustable parameters. The adjustable parameters eventually help to fine-tune the process and adjust the settings according to the variety of pigeon peas that need to be shelled.
- Maintenance: To keep the shelling machine in working condition, regular maintenance and care are very important. Some machines require a lot of maintenance while others don’t. The thing to look at is the cost and the amount of maintenance effort needed to look after the machine.
Q & A
Q: How does a pigeon pea sheller machine work?
A: The pigeon sheller machine works in three steps. The first step is feeding where the pigeon peas are put in the sheller machine. The second step is cracking where the sheller machine breaks the shell using different methods or mechanisms. One common method is using a rotating cylinder with grooves or teeth that grip the peas and crack them. Thirdly, there is the output stage where the cracked peas are released from the sheller machine.
Q: Is the pigeon pea sheller electric or manual?
A: The pigeon sheller machines are electric because they are powered by electricity. There are also sheller machines that are operated manually.
Q: What are the types of pigeon pea sheller machines?
A: There are two main types of pigeon sheller machines, including inline shellers and standalone shellers. Inline shellers are integrated into the processing line and used to instantly peel off the shelled peas. Standalone shellers are independent units and can be used in small-scale processing.
Q: Can the pigeon sheller machine be used in larger industry sectors?
A: Yes, the pigeon sheller machine can be used in industrial large-scale sectors. Large-scale administration uses large sheller machines with high capacities to handle the volumes of shelled pigeon peas required for commercial processing.
