A study on the KAU coconut husking tool

Abstract

Husking of coconut is among the most-difficult post-harvest operations relevant to coconut. It involves much human drudgery. At present, the husking is generally done manually using either a machete or a crowbar. Much skill, training, and endurance are required in this. Attempts made so far in developing husking tools have been only partially successful and not very effective. Considering the drawbacks of existing manual husking methods, a coconut husking tool was designed and fabricated. The machine conceived shall have an upright twin-wedge assembly; one wedge stationary and the other movable. In its idle state, both the wedges remain together as if juxtaposed. The coconut is impaled with both the hands on to the two juxtaposed wedge-like blades oriented upwards. On pulling the lever upwards by one hand, the movable wedge placed on the load arm of the lever swings away from the stationary wedge loosening a sector of the husk from the nut. By repeating twice or thrice the husk can be separated completely from the coconut. It took only about 7-15 seconds for husking a green nut depending upon the variety, maturity of nut and skill of operator. This was 9-18s for dry coconuts. It is light in weight (2.5 kg), and simple to use and handle.