DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF CARROT WASHER

Abstract

Carrot washer is a machine which could find its use in agricultural fields. The root crops like carrot after harvesting have to be cleaned-off soil particles before their transportation from field to market in order to enhance market value. The washing of carrots is mainly carried out manually with the help of brooms and feet by using un-cleaned water of nearby source. Manual cleaning requires labor and it is time consuming due to sticky mud on the surface of carrot. Carrot washer is a machine which is very useful for cleaning purpose with a cleaning efficiency of 98%. It can also be used for the washing of other crops like potatoes; radish etc., after their harvesting and then these crops can be transported to the market. This is a low cost machine and every farmer in Pakistan can afford it. The objective of this paper is to discuss the design and details of this carrot washer. The machine has a wooden drum with a continuous pressurized water supply. Muddy carrots after harvesting are placed inside the drum through opening provided at the face of drum. The wooden drum rotates and rubs off foreign material from carrot surface; pressurized water is used to wash away the soil. The wastewater after washing falls down from the drum through slots provided at the circumference of drum. Hence carrot washer cleans the carrots and other root crops and makes them ready for marketing