Factors Affecting Performance of Rotary Impact-Type Threshers for Sesame and Perilla Harvesting

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance factors of a rotary impact-type thresher to develop a sesame and perilla thresher, specifically to analyze the cut length of the stems and the threshing rates based on the relationship between the blade velocity and feeding speed. Methods: The materials were dried within a range of 12.3-13.0% to test the impact cut by bending. The cut lengths of the perilla and sesame stems were categorized in 6 ranges (~7.0, 7.1-10.0, 10.1-13.0, 13.1-16.0, 16.1-20.0, 20.1- (cm)). For testing the cut length and threshing rate, the upward-rotating blade velocity was varied as 11.0 m/s, 13.5 m/s, and 22.3 m/s. Feeding speeds were changed from 0.1 m/s to 2.2 m/s by the inverter connected to the feed motor. The feed rate and threshing rates without cover-casing were evaluated with the factors of thresher testing. Results: The mean cut length of the stem decreased as the blade velocity increased and/or the feeding speed decreased. As the feed rate increased up to 17.5 g/s, the cut length distributions showed no significant difference. The threshing rate was 98.9% for sesame, and flexible according to the blade velocity and feeding speed of the perilla. Conclusion: Feeding material too fast could produce longer cut stem segments, therefore, a feeding speed less than 2.2 m/s is recommended. A blade velocity of 13.5 m/s is preferable for both sesame and perilla with regard to cut length and threshing rate.