Preliminary Study of Pineapple Pruning Machine for Pineapple Suckers Production

Abstract

After the pineapple crop is 15 months old, the pineapple will be harvested and pruning process will be done before fertilization work begin. Normally in conventional method, farmers will use a sharp machete or sickle to pruning the leave since pineapple leaves and cob have a high fibers content causing the leaves and cob break easily. The convention method requires a lot of time as well as the need for a large labor force, and the cost of production would also increase in this regard. The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance and effectiveness pruning using a mechanization approach compare to the conventional method in pruning the pineapple crop. In 11th Malaysia plan (RMK-11) a new concept and prototype were developed with 2 blade disc type, powered by gearbox 1:3 ratio and adjustable height for peat soil condition. Using of 38hp of tractor high clearance rubber trek with powered by PTO (Power take off) speed 540 and rpm 1500.The height of the cutter blade can be adjustable according to the height of the crop needed to be pruned. The machine capable working rate is 0.86 ha/hour, speed tractor is 2.03km/hour and the machine efficiency are 92 %. Machined time operation is up to 1.2 hour/ha and operating for 8.4 ha/per-day. As a result, the machine seems have a clean-cut result on pineapple leaves and cob without breaking the pineapple crop.