Development of A Small/ Medium Scale Grading System

Abstract

This study was undertaken to develop appropriate and low cost grading device for a variety of economically important agricultural produce, in order to increase their market demand. This grader was tested for tomato with three grades which raise the value of the produce significantly due to that worked on the principle of rolling the produce around the axis of minimum mass inertia was evaluated. Two grades were separated based on the opening size and a third grade consisted of produce that overflowed the largest opening. The opening for grade I, II and III were 55mm to 65mm, 65 mm to 75 mm and >75mm respectively. The grader was tested for tomatoes at slope of 08 degrees, 10 degrees and 12 degrees and the 10 degree was the best slope. The rates for which the grader was tested were 192 kg/h, 288kg/h and 576kg/h and the percentage of tomato correctly graded were 90%, 89% and 72% at slope of ten degree respectively.