What are the precautions for the shell removal and cleaning machine

The shell removal and cleaning machine is a key device used to remove the shells of grains, nuts and other materials and separate impurities. It is widely applied in fields such as grain processing and food production. To ensure the efficient operation of the equipment, extend its service life and guarantee operational safety, the following matters should be noted during use:

I. Preparations Before Operation

Equipment inspection

Mechanical components: Check whether the shelling drum, screen, fan, drive belt, etc. are loose, worn or deformed, and ensure there is no jamming or abnormal noise.

Electrical system: Confirm that the wiring of the motor, control cabinet, sensors, etc. is firm, the insulation is good, and there is no risk of leakage.

Airway system (if applicable) : Check whether the air ducts and dust collectors are unobstructed and whether the air pressure is stable.

Safety protection: Ensure that safety devices such as protective covers, emergency stop buttons, and warning signs are in good condition and effective.

Material pretreatment

Clean the materials: Remove hard impurities such as stones, metals and straw from the materials to prevent damage to the shelling drum or screen.

Control humidity: If the moisture content of the material is too high, it will lead to difficulties in shell removal and clogging of the screen. If it is too low, it is prone to produce fine particles. For instance, the moisture content of rice should be controlled at 13% to 15%.

Uniform feeding: Avoid material accumulation or flow interruption, and prevent uneven shelling or equipment overload.

Parameter setting

Husking gap: Adjust the gap between the drum and the screen according to the size of the material (for example, the husking gap for peanuts is about 8-12mm). If the gap is too small, it may damage the grains; if it is too large, the husking will not be thorough.

Speed matching: Set the speed of the husking drum (for example, the husking speed for rice is approximately 500-800r/min). If the speed is too high, the rate of broken rice will increase; if it is too low, the husking efficiency will be low.

Air volume adjustment: Adjust the air volume of the fan according to the type of impurities (for example, the air velocity for light impurity separation is about 3-5m/s). If the air volume is too large, it is easy to blow away qualified grains; if it is too small, the dust removal effect will be poor.

Ii. Precautions during Operation

Uniform feeding

Use a screw conveyor or vibrating feeder to maintain a uniform feeding speed to avoid motor blockage or shell drum jamming caused by instantaneous overload.

Observe the material condition at the discharge port. If it is found that the shelling is not thorough or there are too many broken particles, adjust the feeding amount or shelling parameters in time.

Real-time monitoring of the operating status

Temperature monitoring: Regularly check the temperature of the motor, bearings, shelling drum and other parts (usually ≤65℃). Stop the machine immediately for maintenance when overheating occurs.

Vibration and noise: Abnormal vibration or noise may indicate that the drum is out of balance, the screen is damaged or there is a fault in the transmission components. The machine needs to be stopped for inspection.

Output quality: Check the output every 30 minutes to ensure that the shelling rate is ≥95%, the impurity content is ≤2%, and the crushed particle rate is ≤3%.

Safety Operation Specifications

Do not touch moving parts: During operation, it is strictly forbidden to clean the drum, screen or drive belt by hand or with tools. The machine must be stopped before operation.

Dust protection: Operators should wear dust masks, goggles and earplugs to avoid inhaling dust or noise injuries.

Emergency stop: In case of abnormal noises, smoke or other unusual situations, immediately press the emergency stop button and cut off the power supply.

Iii. Post-operation Maintenance

Cleaning equipment

Clean up residual materials: Use a soft brush or compressed air to remove the chaff and debris from the husking drum, screen, and air duct to prevent mold or corrosion.

Clean the dust removal system: Clean the dust collector bags or filter screens to ensure sufficient air volume for the next use.

Drainage and rust prevention: If the equipment contains a water tank or wet dust removal components, the accumulated water should be drained and dried to prevent rust.

Lubrication and maintenance

Bearing lubrication: Add lithium-based grease (such as No. 3 lithium-based grease) every 200 hours of operation, with the addition amount not exceeding two-thirds of the bearing cavity.

Chain lubrication: Lubricate the transmission chain with engine oil every week to prevent wear and breakage.

Motor maintenance: Check the motor bearings every three months and replace the lubricating oil if necessary.

Replacement of vulnerable parts

Screen: Replace it regularly according to the wear condition (such as once every quarter) to ensure that the screen holes are not clogged or deformed.

Shelling drum: If severe wear on the surface of the drum or deformation of the tooth profile is found, it should be replaced in time to avoid a decrease in shelling efficiency.

Drive belt: Check the tension and wear of the belt every six months. Replace it immediately if it is loose or cracked.

Iv. Safety Precautions

Electrical safety

Do not operate the control cabinet or switches with wet hands to prevent electric shock.

Regularly check whether the grounding wire is firm and ensure that the leakage protection device of the equipment is effective.

When conducting maintenance, the power supply must be cut off and a "Do Not Close" warning sign hung.

Mechanical safety

When installing the equipment, ensure that the ground is level and the fixing bolts are tightened to prevent vibration and displacement during operation.

The equipment must not be started before the protective cover is properly installed to prevent personnel from touching the rotating parts.

Children or non-professionals are prohibited from approaching the operating equipment.

Fire and explosion prevention

When cleaning the equipment, open flames are strictly prohibited to prevent the explosion of rice husk dust.

Fire extinguishers are equipped in the workshop and their validity periods are regularly checked.

Avoid piling up flammable materials near the equipment and ensure good ventilation.

V. Seasonal Maintenance and Long-term Parking

Moisture-proofing in summer

When the equipment is not in use for a long time, wrap it with moisture-proof cloth to prevent the motor and control cabinet from getting damp and short-circuitry.

Start the equipment regularly (such as once a month) to prevent components from rusting and getting stuck.

Winter frost prevention

If the equipment contains a water tank or water pipes, the accumulated water should be drained and dried to prevent cracking due to freezing.

Before starting in a low-temperature environment, preheat the motor first (such as by irradiating it with an infrared lamp for 30 minutes).

Long-term parking and maintenance

After cleaning the equipment, apply anti-rust oil, especially to metal parts such as rollers and screens.

Store in a dry and well-ventilated indoor area, avoiding direct sunlight or rain.

Check the equipment condition every three months. If necessary, replenish lubrication or replace vulnerable parts.

Vi. Emergency Handling of Common Faults

The shell is not removed thoroughly

Reasons: Excessive drum clearance, too low rotational speed or too high moisture content of the material.

Handling: Adjust the gap to an appropriate value, increase the rotational speed or reduce the moisture content of the material.

The screen is clogged.

Reason: Excessive impurities in the material or insufficient air volume.

Treatment: Clean the screen, increase the air volume or pre-treat the material.

Motor overheating

Reasons: Overload operation, poor heat dissipation or unstable voltage.

Handling: Reduce the feeding amount, clean the cooling fan or check the grid voltage.

The discharge contains a lot of impurities

Cause: Excessive air volume or damaged screen mesh.

Solution: Reduce the air volume or replace the screen.

Through standardized operation, regular maintenance and timely handling of faults, the operational efficiency and output quality of the shell removal and cleaning machine can be significantly improved, while reducing equipment wear and safety risks. It is suggested that a detailed equipment maintenance manual be formulated and operators be trained to master basic troubleshooting methods.