Features of operation
A feather removal machine made from a washing machine has a similar operating principle to expensive professional devices, but the aesthetic appearance of the device leaves much to be desired.
The operating principle of the device is that rubber beaters (threaded pins) are installed inside a large tank. The lower part of the tank rotates at high speed and there are also beaters on it.
A poultry carcass treated with boiling water enters the tank, after which the power supply to the feather removal apparatus is activated. The lower part of the container accelerates, and the bird's carcass hits the pins, losing its feathers. After just a couple of minutes, the bird is completely cleared of feathers. Only the smallest feathers can be found on it, which, as a rule, are located on the paws, tail and wings. They are removed manually.
A self-made device will greatly facilitate human labor, because in just an hour of work you can pluck about 30 bird carcasses.
Possible difficulties during production
Often, if you follow the described recommendations and general safety rules, assembling the pliers does not cause any particular difficulties. However, sometimes the main questions when building a machine arise at the design stages, when it is not possible to find all the necessary materials. Most often, they can be solved using a horizontal-loading washing machine (such as “Aurica” - it can fully provide most of the necessary materials and technical components).
It is also worth mentioning that making a pliers without modern power tools is almost impossible. To create it, you will definitely need a powerful electric drill, as well as an angle grinder (grinder), and this often requires additional investment.
The main mistakes that farmers make when assembling a homemade plucking machine:
A plucking machine is a necessary device not only for large but also for small farms. Despite the fact that there are a huge number of various factory models of such machines on the market, for small poultry farms they are an unjustified waste. However, you can prepare the unit yourself - this will require a standard set of power tools and spare parts from an old washing machine.
Types of structures
Feather removal machines can have several designs:
- Centrifuge. A round container is used, in which there is a hole for loading poultry carcasses. Beats placed on the bottom and sides of the structure help remove feathers during the rotation of the container. During operation of the device, water enters it, which increases the productivity of the process. This option is ideal for removing feathers from small birds, ducks at most.
- Drum. A drum equipped with “tentacles” is used - it rotates thanks to a motor. The carcass is brought closer to the rotating device and pressed. This design is designed for large bird species.
- Electric tool. Such a device with a nozzle does not require large financial investments from a person. Simply put an attachment equipped with “tentacles” onto the rotating device. He is brought closer to the pre-scalded bird. The disadvantage of this method is the appearance of fatigue in the hands.
How does the plucking machine work?
Regardless of the design, the operating principle of carcass cleaners is based on general principles. To eliminate the feather on the device, the optimal power is selected, after which the unit is put into operation. Next, raw materials are loaded into the working chamber, which is divided into feathers and carcass. In drum and disc machines, the main impact on the bird occurs with the help of the so-called working (beating) fingers. They are a variety of cylindrical inclusions made of dense rubber, mounted into the surface of a drum or disk.
The electric motor causes the working chamber with fingers to rotate, during which the pen and skin are affected. With the help of centrifugal force, light fluff and feathers settle on the walls of the chamber. After cleaning, the carcass is removed, and the feather is removed from the working chamber through the outlet hole in the bottom or manually.
Tweezing machines work on the principle of a depilator. Special disks are installed in the working chamber, which, when interacting with the pen, grab it and pull it out. At the same time, each carcass needs individual attention: the operator must hold the goose in his hands during the process and carefully bring the feather to the working surfaces, controlling the area of interaction with the surface of the skin.
Required Parts
The most expensive element for creating a feather removal machine will be the beaters. These parts cannot be replaced with anything, so you will have to order them from a hardware store or specialized enterprises.
When ordering these parts, you should decide in advance which carcasses will be processed; the size of the purchased beaters depends on this (larger ones for turkeys, smaller ones for chickens).
The second important element is the washing machine. It must be working. In this case, there is no need to purchase expensive equipment, because it is quite possible to buy a used machine.
Several changes are made to the washing machine; the engine and electrical circuit located at the bottom of the washing tank are placed outside the body of the machine. This is done according to this plan:
- the engine is removed;
- you get the drive and activator;
- The entire electrical circuit is dismantled and placed nearby so that it can be reinstalled later.
After preparing the washing machine, you should select a rubber hose and equip it with a shower head. This device will be needed during the operation of the feather removal machine.
You also need to stock up on a number of tools:
- open-end and adjustable wrenches;
- ratchet heads;
- Bulgarian;
- drill;
- hammer;
- measuring instruments;
- simple pencil.
Do-it-yourself plucking machine for geese: step-by-step instructions
A pinching machine is a mechanical or electromechanical device for cleaning the carcasses of geese, chickens and other poultry from guard and down feathers, as well as their appendages. This device is widely used in livestock farms of any level and size, regardless of production volumes.
The described design consists of only three main elements:
Did you know? Humanity is grateful to Michael Faraday for the creation of the electric motor. It was this English scientist who in 1821 invented the principle of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, which later formed the basis for the creation of all modern engines with electric traction.
There are two types of the unit in question - the so-called feather-plucking and feather-removing devices. Removal units can be disk or drum type. Drum units are a monolithic or collapsible structure with a closed volumetric working chamber.
Disc ones have a small hemispherical working surface, often open at the top. Drum machines are most often used in large farms - they allow you to instantly clean several carcasses at once in uninterrupted production mode. Disc ones are best suited for small farms with a population of no more than 50 individuals.
Such machines have a number of advantages - they allow you to instantly clean carcasses of feathers, which is especially important in the case of conveyor production of feathers and meat. In addition, such devices require minimal maintenance costs, since farmers often make them themselves. They also have their drawbacks - the main impact on the bird in the feather removal machine occurs due to the striking fingers. They seriously injure the goose carcass, which reduces its quality and market value.
Pinching devices are designed on a different principle. They have a working chamber in which mechanical action occurs only on the feather: the meat and skin remain intact. This makes it possible to gently remove feathers and fluff, while maintaining the excellent quality of the carcass. In addition to the advantages listed above, such units are more versatile.
Important! If you plan to breed poultry only for the production of fluff, you should pay attention to feather-plucking devices. With appropriate settings, they allow you to pluck even live geese, which reduces the overall cost of breeding several times.
Simple manual labor can be easily replaced with automated one. Thus, plucking geese can be entrusted to a special device - a plucking machine. You can either purchase it or make it yourself.
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It is difficult to deny the value of goose meat and feathers. Many people can handle cutting meat, but not everyone knows how to properly pluck a bird so as not to spoil the feathers themselves and not leave stumps on the carcass, which will reduce its value.
On a large farm there is no time for such a long procedure as plucking. At the same time, it is quite difficult, so it is better to use a plucking device. The process of its creation lasted a relatively long time.
Assembling the device
Having prepared all the necessary parts, you can proceed to assembling the equipment. This is done according to the following algorithm:
- A support for the engine is welded from a steel corner.
- The electric motor is connected to the network.
- A frame for the assembled device is created from an iron corner. The housing must be located at a certain height from the floor.
- To operate the structure, pulleys are installed. They are removed from the Fairy or Baby washing machine.
- A small pulley is put on the motor shaft, a large pulley is put on the activator.
- The presented parts are connected using a belt. This will allow the engine to transfer speed to the activator, which turns the bottom of the equipment.
- It is necessary to check the quality of installation of the housing and engine, since strong vibration can cause them to fly off.
Then, you need to install the beaters, for this the following manipulations are performed:
- A hole is created in the tank using a drill equipped with a step-type drill. Taking into account the dimensions of the beater, the hole is made smaller by 3-4 mm.
- To allow the used water and feathers to escape, larger holes are created between the main holes. Then a tray or any other wide container is installed under the tank; waste will flow here.
- To simplify the installation process of the beaters, the holes must be lubricated. For these purposes, it is allowed to use machine oil. After lubrication, the beaters are threaded into the created holes.
To protect the engine from water, a plastic casing should be created for it.
The assembly of the device is completed. In order for water to enter it during operation, you should install a hose and shower head on the edge of the vessel.
It is very important to take time to adjust the drum of the machine, since it should only rotate clockwise.
This can be done by separating the body and bottom, and then reconnecting the wires, but in the required order. The ends of the cords are connected to the network cable.
The hose present in the design of the washing machine is cut off. And the resulting hole is covered with sealant.
Rotational casting equipment
In practice, several types of rotary machines are used.
Single position rotary machines
Machines of this class include those that have one rotor placed directly in the thermal chamber. They produce models that are capable of moving simultaneously with the rotor from the heating zone to the cooling zone.
Two-position machines
Two-position units are considered more efficient machines. The design includes two rotors independent of each other, alternately moving from the heating chamber to the cooling zone and back.
Two-position rotary machines
That is, while heating and molding of the product occurs on one rotor, cooling and removal of the part occurs on the other.
What is needed to make a feather removal machine?
It’s worth mentioning right away that to assemble such a machine you will need not only to work hard, but also to invest a certain amount into it. However, the costs will pay off very quickly if the owner is engaged in breeding and selling poultry.
First you need to prepare the metal - sheet iron, profile pipe. We won’t dwell on sizes today. At the end of the step-by-step instructions, everyone will decide for themselves what size the frame of this device will be.
First you need to prepare the metal so as not to look for it later
conclusions
- A feather removal machine for plucking Pharaoh quails, English blacks and other breeds is an indispensable thing in any household. Judging by the reviews, the investments made in its purchase (especially if the model is budget) quickly pay off.
- Inexpensive household models cost from 7 thousand rubles, industrial units will cost you much more, but it makes sense to buy them only for large agricultural farms.
- The average time for plucking a “portion” of carcasses is only 30 seconds.
- You can easily make the unit yourself. Use the appropriate element removed from the washing machine or a plastic bucket as a drum. You will have to buy epic fingers, since you cannot make them yourself.
- Buying a de-feathering machine will be cost-effective for any household, since it simplifies and automates the process of processing carcasses as much as possible.
