Design, construction and evaluation of a stalk chopper

Abstract

Proper feeding of animals is very important in any animal husbandry business. Therefore effective utilization of the available food sources is very necessary. It is as a result of this that a stalk chopper was constructed using locally available materials. The major components of the machine are the hopper, the chopping knives, the chopping chamber, the frame and the prime mover which drives the chopping disc carrying the knives. It has a material capacity of 45.69 kg/hr and cutting efficiency of 91%. Commercialization of this machine will encourage farmers to engage in more animal farming as there will be better usage of crop residue which were hitherto not properly utilized.