Rancang Bangun Dan Analisis Mesin Pencacah Rumput Tenaga Surya Untuk Pakan Ternak

Abstract

The high demand for animal feed drives farmers to seek more efficient grass chopping solutions, particularly in areas with limited access to electricity. This study aims to produce a design of a solar-powered grass chopper machine, analyze the effect of cutter rotational speed on machine efficiency, analyze the effect of chopped material mass on machine efficiency, and analyze the interaction between rotational speed and material mass on machine efficiency. A quantitative experimental method was employed, with independent variables consisting of shaft pulley diameter variations of 3, 4, and 5 inches producing rotational speeds of 2250, 1689, and 1384 RPM, and material mass variations of 2, 4, and 6 kg of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum). The drive motor used was a 24-volt 500-watt BLDC motor powered by four 100 WP monocrystalline solar panels through a solar charge controller and a 24-volt 45 Ah battery. The chopper shaft used three sets of starblade-model chopper knives with 4 blades each. Results indicate that the highest rotational speed of 2250 RPM produced the shortest chopping time and the highest efficiency. The highest efficiency of 80.90% was achieved at a material mass of 2 kg with a rotational speed of 2250 RPM, while the lowest was 55.56% at 6 kg with 1384 RPM. Two-Way ANOVA results showed that material mass (F = 762.419; p = 0.000), rotational speed (F = 32.728; p = 0.000), and their interaction (F = 3.014; p = 0.046) significantly affected machine efficiency. The greater the material mass and the lower the rotational speed, the lower the machine efficiency.