Development of a Jerusalem artichoke washing machine

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to design and performance assessment of a Jerusalem artichoke washing machine. The expectation of this research was to raise production of Jerusalem artichoke to higher performance and safe work-times due to the shortage of labor in the agricultural sector. Due to the decline in agricultural labor caused by migration to urban areas, the use of machinery can compensate for the labor shortage and enable the remaining farmers to continue their operations. The components of Jerusalem artichoke washing machine are basin, barrel washing, water purifier, and water pump. Performance was evaluated from capacity, percentage of cleaning, percentage of damage and electric power. Three levels of barrel speed (17, 27 and 37 rpm) and two levels of time (5 and 10 min). The result showed that barrel speed significantly impacts all indicators. Time significantly impacts only electric power. The barrel speed was 27 rpm with time about 5-10 min were suitable operating factors of the Jerusalem artichoke washing machine, providing capacity, percentage of cleaning, percentage of damage and electric power about 4.93 kg/h, 57.20%, 9.47%, and 6.93 kwh, respectively.