Mechanisation of Harvesting, Pelleting and Densifying Operations in Forages

Abstract

Forage production is gaining importance in India due to increase in animal population and white revolution. Its optimal utilization are still lacking which needs timely harvesting and processing in form of feed pellets and bales. To overcome this problem, the Division of Farm Machinery and Post Harvest Technology of Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute,(IGFRI) Jhansi, U.P. ,India has developed good machines like Tractor Operated Flail Mower, Tractor Operated Rotary Disc Mower, Power Operated Feed Pelleting Machine and Power Operated Densifying Machine. These machines have been tested at IGFRI Central Research Farm in large scale and found suitable for popularisation. The Flail Mower performs the jobs of harvesting, chaffing and blowing of grasses and sorghum fodder in to the accompanying trailer with out - put capacity of 0.3 ha/hr . The Rotary Disc Mower is driven by PTO shaft of 45 hp tractor for berseem harvesting with out put capacity of 0.25 ha/hr. Feed Pelleting machine is operated by 5 hp electric motor used for making feed pellets of crop residue, wheat bhusa, fodder leaves with or without concentrate at a capacity of 60-80 kg/hr. The dia. of feed pellets can be varied from 5 mm to 40 mm with length of 2.5 to 12 cm. Forage Densifying Machine stationary type operated by 25 hp electric motor is used for baling of grasses with and without berseem and wheat bhusa by mixing molasses . The out put capacity of the machine is 600 to 800 kg/hr with bale density of 400-450 kg/m3. The combination of these machines like (i) fodder harvesting, drying and pelleting and ( ii) Forage grass harvesting and their baling by value addition can solve the problem of fodder deficit during lean period. The surplus crop residues and forage material can be processed stored safely and transported easily to distant places economically due to higher density.