DEVELOPMENT OF CASHEW FRUIT COLLECTOR AND CASHEW APPLE AND NUT SEPARATOR

Abstract

An implement was successfully developed for the efficient collection of cashew apples from the ground and the mechanical separation of cashew nuts from the fruit. This innovation was aimed at addressing key challenges in manual harvesting, such as high labour demand, physical strain, and post-harvest inefficiencies commonly faced in small and medium-scale cashew farming. The prototype integrates three major components: a ground-level collecting plate for scooping fruits, a conveyor system fitted with PVC picker cups for transporting the fruits, and a gear-based separation unit for detaching nuts from apples with minimal damage. The collecting plate was inclined at 35°, allowing effective fruit guidance without bruising. The picker cups, designed for gentle handling, were mounted at regular intervals along a nylon conveyor belt, powered by a low-wattage motor. The nut separation unit was fabricated using 3D printing technology and featured a main gear with a soft rubber insert, enabling secure grip and efficient nut detachment in a single rotation. The system’s design was guided by detailed analysis of the physical characteristics of cashew apples and nuts to ensure compatibility and efficiency during operation. Field evaluations were conducted to assess the performance of the developed implement. The results showed a picking efficiency of 44%, a conveying efficiency of 46%, and a separation efficiency of 100%. These findings confirm that while the system requires further optimization for improved fruit collection and handling consistency, it performs exceptionally well in nut separation. The implement also significantly reduced physical effort and improved operator comfort by eliminating the need for repetitive stooping and squatting. Overall, the developed system proved to be technically feasible, economically viable, and ergonomically sound. It demonstrates strong potential for improving productivity, reducing manual labour dependency, and minimizing post-harvest losses in cashew processing. With continued refinement and wider field testing, the implement can contribute meaningfully to sustainable agricultural mechanization in cashew- growing regions.