DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF A THREE STAGE STOCKFEED PLANT
1 Shelta
Majowa, 2Callisto Muzongondi,
Harare Polytechnic
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Box CY407,Causeway, Harare
Zimbabwe
Cell: 263 733617851/777568283
shem50058@gmail.com [cmuzongondi@gmail.com]
ABSTRACT
In Zimbabwe cattle production and general farming has been affected by prolonged droughts.
This leads to the scarcity of grazing pastures during off season yet farmers will have realised
some harvests. This plant uses corn stock and other agricultural residue to make stock feed
substituting the traditional palletising which stores less stock but bulky. A three stage stock
feed maker plant was designed and manufactured using appropriate technology for easy
maintenance and replacement to suit the Zimbabwean environment .The machine cuts the
stover (farm harvest residue) into 20mm pieces, mixes with other additives and compresses
the feed into 40mm x 40mm, 8kg bales that can store moisture for at least six months. The
machine is made of cutting section, a screw conveyor, a mixer and a hydraulic baler. The
costs estimate of plant $7200.00
Key words: Maximum load, load resistance, system pressure, cylinder area,
hydraulic circuit.