EVALUATION OF A PEDAL – OPERATED CASSAVA GRATER

S. O. Jekayinfa; E. O. Olafimihan; G. A. Odewole

S. O. Jekayinfa Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
E. O. Olafimihan Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
G. A. Odewole Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Cassava, Pedal – operated grater, Traditional grating device, Performance evaluation

Abstract

A pedal – operated cassava grating machine was developed and evaluated. The grater is to bridge the gap between the motorized grater and the labour-intensive, traditional cassava grating device, and to ameliorate the tedium of cassava grating at the village level. The grater’s component parts are: the grating unit, power and transmission unit, the housing, the hopper and the discharge chute. The cassava grater output capacity ranged between 28.50kg/h and 45.00kg/h depending on cassava variety. The particle size distribution in the end product representing medium fine, fine and powdery materials is 1:3:6. The grater capacity has a comparative advantage ratio of more than 220% over traditional grating device. One average person of between 25 – 45 years of age can comfortably operate the continuously for about 16 minutes to produce an output of about 4kg.

Author Biographies

S. O. Jekayinfa, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

E. O. Olafimihan, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

G. A. Odewole, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Department of Mechanical Engineering