Problems With Dried Cassava.

[teletiger]

I recently bought 5 tons of fresh cassava from a neighbour. Got some staff in to chop it up and lay it out for drying. Dusted off a medium-sized hammer mill and started to process the cassava. The problems started with a chewed up screen. Replaced it with a smaller guage sturdier screen, then after about half a ton processed the motor burned out. Replaced the old 2 hp motor with a 3 hp version. Really slow going, clouds of choking dust........ it's like trying to process brick bats. I think I need a small roller mill. or a slow lump-buster. Anyone seen anything like that here? Any plans or designs for one? (I've got a very decent welder on the staff). Or any ideas on how to crush this stuff without too much dust?......or anyone want to buy 2 tons of cassava chips?

Regards

[Issangeorge]

I'm interested how much is a tonof Cassava? Issangeorge.

[chownah]

Is the dust from the casava or is it from dirt attached to the casava?

Chownah

[RamdomChances]

I don't quite get what you are trying to do TT. Don't they usually just "chip" it then dry it then feed as is, or are you trying for a powder. Mabye go to a local mill and ask them how much for them to do your's?

[teletiger]

Are you thinking of peelings RC? The starch factories peel them first (not too much in the peel) and then sell the peel either dried, or as silage for dairy cattle. We chop up the whole plant (roast spud size ) and dry it, then mill it down to small gravel size and powder. Cattle won't eat it if it's much bigger.

The cassava you buy at the sahagorn is 70% powder, 30% large lumps and is 4.50 Baht per kilo at present. It's also usually contaminated with dust, stones, concrete etc.

I worked it out to 2.50 Baht per kilo.

With the extra transport and milling costs, It would hardly be worth it RC.

It's cassava dust Chownah. Like fine flour. The fresh plants are pretty clean.

It needs to be processed slowly. as in a roller mill.

I think you've inspired me RC Maybe I can process the whole plant (or halved) through a chipper, before drying. I'll try it on Friday. If I can chip it small enough it might not need further processing.

Regards.

[RamdomChances]

Actually no I was'nt thinking of the peel, we usually use to buy it in sort of pebble size, say no larger than an inch, still a fair ammount of dust though. I always thought they cut it up like that then dried it....could be sooo wrong though .

Thought the price had shot right up ? has it droped again ?

[chownah]

I thought you were milling fresh roots and couldn't figure out where the dust was coming from....now I see.....if you want to use a high speed mill it might work if you rehydrated it at least partly first. Even a small amount of water might make a difference....probably have to add water and wait awhile before milling.....I am not experienced with this so these are just some thoughts.

Chownah