DEVELOPMENT OF PADDLE OPERATED PADDY THRESHERS- An Innovation of Rural Youth

Background: In rice farming system, threshing of paddy is a very tedious and labour consuming
operation. Introduction of paddy thresher has lessened the drudgery of paddy cultivation. In this respect,
Seva Bharati Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kapgari, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal-721505 played a vital
role for developing a suitable paddy thresher for threshing the local paddy as well as HYV paddy over
the commercial paddy thresher with the help of one of the ex-trainee and farmers Shri Vidyasagar
Mahato under close guidance of Seva Bharati KVK. Shri Mahato is young, energetic and innovative rural
youth. He has his own fascination on new machinery and equipment for necessary befitting to the
prevailing tillage environment. Under prevailing CDR agriculture system, people used to cultivate long
sender as well as short sender varieties of paddy as per their need and land situation. The commercial
paddle thresher introduced was find to be more suitable to HYV paddy straw rather than local long
sender varieties causing a looping of the straw and hampering the output and maneuverability. Farmers
were not aware about the driving mechanical parts used and repair and maintenance of the commercial
paddle threshers. Resultant, then introduced paddle thresher was not suited to the farming system as
well as accepted by the whole farming community.
SBKVK INTERVENTION.

Mr. Mahato was trained on operation and maintenance of paddle

operating system and its loop drum operational mechanism and triangulated with bicycle cranking
mechanism. With regular interaction with SBKVK, Mr. Mahato applied the bicycle cranking mechanism
on the commercial available thresher and was tried for paddy threshing operation under close
supervision of SBKVK, SMS (Agril. Engg.). Refinement was done for optimal rotational speed as well as
looping trouble was short ed out by enlarging diameter of drum and loop size. After successful trial and
testing, diamentional specificafiation was standardized for easy maneuverability and suitability for both
long as well as short sender paddy variety.
After getting success, Mr. Mahato eagerly participated in different training
programme on repair and maintenance of diesel engine pump set, power tiller and different
programmeme on operation and maintenance of improved agricultural tools and equipments, micri
irrigation system. Mr Mahato was also recommended by SBKVK to attend training on PHT specially rice
parboiling and micro irrigation system. Mr. Mahato was encouraged to establish a mini workshop.
Presently, Mr. Mahato is fabricating nearly 30-paddle thresher as per farmer need and crop variety and
selling it out annually. Mr.Mahato acclaimed his mastership for the said technology. Besides, He has
established his repute as mechanic as well as manufacturer in this locality. Mr. Mahato has credited best
rural youth and facilitator to the farming community.
Description of Technology:
The machine consists of a threshing cylinder, driving mechanism and supporting frame. To
achieve the cylinder speed about 300 rpm+10rpm, two numbers of cast iron gears are being provided
with gear ratio of 1:2.5 operated by paddle. Two men are sufficient for easy operation at a time. The
main part of the machine is wooden cylinder with wire loop all round its periphery/circumference. The
cylinder is pivoted on two ball bearings on the frame.

SEVA BHARATI KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA

Threshing of paddy crop is done by holding the paddy against the wire loop of revolving cylinders.
The grains are easily shattered out. Due to centrifugal forces, the grains are thrown away from
operators. There is no looping of paddy straws.

Details Specification of Paddle Operated Paddy Threshers:

S.No.

Items

Detailed Specification

1.

Type of Machine

Chain cum Double Gear Paddy Paddle thresher

2.

Type of operation

Manually Operated

3.

Manufacturers Name and Address

Shri Vidyasagar Mahato

Vill.-Rajapara,P.O.-Ergoda
Dist.-Paschim Medinipur,West Bengal-721505

4.

Market Price

Rs.4000.00

5.

Crops to be threshed out

Deshi Paddy Variety---Jhingasal, Deputisal,

Sitasal, Jhati, Badashahbhog, etc.as well as HYV
paddy.

6.

Overall Dimension in /on

operation/Transport

Length =100cm
Width=90cm
Height=90cm.

7.

Weight in Kg.

120 kgs

8.

Power source

Manually operated (By two men)

9.

Power Transmission Mechanism

Paddle,sprocket,chain gears& Drum

Cylindrical,(open) with 18 rows of loops

10. Type of Drum/ Cylinders

Dia, of Drum-26040cm
Length of drum-66cm.
Rated cylinder speed-300rpm
No. and size of wire loops-5.5cm.ht.,243 nos.
11. Labour requirement for feeding and :
supply of crop to the feeders

Two persons (average)

12. Output capacity

120 Kgs./hr

SEVA BHARATI KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA

13. Others

Mechanical
advantages-Length
of
adjustable, No looping of paddy straws.

chain

Farmers Refinement: Shri Vidyasagar Mahato, Manufacturer and user of KVKs Paddy thresher refined
the machine in following ways which has improved the efficacy:

Sl. No.

Parameters

Out put

Weight (Modified to , made from cycle parts)

65 kgs

Gear

Single

Type of Drum

Cylindrical,(open) with 16 rows of loops

Weight (kgs)

65 kgs

Labour requirement

One person (average)

Out put Capacity

140 kgs/hr

Impact of the technology:

The thresher is soundless
Less force to be given which resultant to minimum drudgery reduction
Easy to operate and parts are locally available
Manpower and maintenance cost is less
Output is more

SEVA BHARATI KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA