Performance test and economic analyses of Semi Mechanic Corn Sheller

Abstract

Corn seed shelling process could be done manually or mechanically using motor generated machine. Limited number of available shelling machines become limiting factor for farmer to produce seed with appropriate physical quality. Manual sheller would require enormous time and labour while mechanized sheller would require higher production cost. Simple corn shelling tools could help small scale farmer. Its material was easy to get that consist of pipes connector and screws, with production cost only Rp. 20.000/unit that could be manufactured by famer themselves. This study aims to test tools performance and to study labour efficiency from simple corn sheller tools. This study design with two treatments that with and without using corn sheller tools. The study was carried out by 10 farmers with 3 times replication for each treatment. Each study was carried out using 10 kg dry weight corn. Collected data were shelling time and yields. Data analyses were done using descriptive methods and ANOVA. Technical economic analyses were done to evaluate simple corn sheller suitability. This study showed that simple corn sheller tools from 2” pipe were more efficient 59 minutes 4 second compared to manual shelling from time perspective and reduce labour cost by 38%. Average tools capacity were 12.50 kg/hours and manual labour were 5.63 kg/hours. Tools effectivity from yields; simple corn Sheller was 75.7% while manual labour was 82.8%. Based in economy analysis, tools price was Rp. 20.000 with cost Rp. 800,6/kg and Break-Even Point were 90 Kg/year.