Performance of a Highly Efficient Trimming Machine for Spinach

Abstract

We developed a highly efficient trimming machine for spinach and evaluated it experimentally. Once harvested plants were manually placed on its feeding unit, the machine cut roots by the rotary cutter and trimmed lower leaves by the urethane brush with high accuracy. The average length of the root remained to the plant was 6.9 mm and the standard deviation was 1.4 mm. The average trimming capacity was 94.3 %, which is higher than that for the conventional machine rate at 74.9 %. Conventional machines need four workers to operate, and the work efficiency was 508 plants/h·person. This machine needs only two workers, and the work efficiency was 926 plants/h·person, exhibiting an improved work efficiency compared to conventional machines.