DESIGN OF A SMART PORTABLE AND LOAD ADAPTIVE THRESHER MACHINE

Abstract

Agriculture is a vital sector of the economy; thus, effective post-harvest processing is critical for increasing productivity and reducing labour intensity. Threshing is an important step in the process of grain separation from crops after harvesting. Conventional methods of threshing are labour-intensive, time-consuming, and associated with significant grain loss. This project proposes the development of a Smart Portable Load Adaptive Threshing Machine that combines mechanical threshing effectiveness with microcontroller-based automation. The machine incorporates a rotating threshing drum driven by a 12V DC gear motor, a mesh-based grain separation system, a batterypowered portable structure, and an Arduino UNObased embedded control system. A load-adaptive sequencing algorithm manages three motors through a 4-channel relay module, preventing inrush current surges and ensuring stable operation under varying crop loads. Experimental results from the prototype demonstrate a grain separation efficiency of 90.2%, a grain damage rate of 2.5%, a throughput of 43.5 kg/hr, and a battery runtime of approximately 4.6 hours, confirming the suitability of the system for small and medium-scale farming in rural areas.