Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of Low Cost Maize Dehusker-Sheller in Nigeria

An easy-to-operate maize dehusker-sheller machine was constructed from locally available materials with relatively low cost at the premises of DAF Technical Services, Ilorin, Nigeria, between June, 2017 and February, 2018. The construction of the machine was carried out by sizing and marking out of the plate using scriber and cutter. The shaft was smoothened with sand paper and various components were welded; assembling of parts was done by fastener (bolts & nuts). The machine consisted of four units (feeding unit, dehusking – shelling unit, cleaning unit and outlets). Results obtained indicated a mean de - husking efficiency of 58.67%, 57.00%, 54.16 at speed 469 rpm, 309 rpm and 298 rpm respectively. The mean shelling efficiencies were 73.36%, 71.53%, 65 55% at 469 rpm to 298 rpm. And mean through put capacity of 55.90 kg/hr, 41.10 kg/hr and 36.00 kg/hr at speed stated above. Also the mean cleaning efficiencies were 79.97%, 79.77%, 82.23% at speed 469 rpm, 309 rpm and 298 rpm respectively. The mean grain losses were 20.37%, 21.20% and 17.16% using the three speeds stated above. In conclusion, the mean dehusking efficiency, shelling and mean through put capacity performed best at 469 rpm while mean cleaning efficiency and mean grain loss was best at speed 298 rpm.