Grain Seed Cleaning Machine Buying Guide: How the Compound Grain Cleaner Works and Key Points for Use
After the grain harvest, before threshing and storing in the granary, there is still a key step - cleaning. If the shriveled grains, broken stems, glumes, mud, sand and diseased grains mixed in with the grain are not cleaned out thoroughly, it not only affects the selling price, but when used as seed it also lowers the germination rate and uniformity. The grain seed cleaning machine is specially made for this job, and because the compound grain cleaner can "run through the machine once and perform multiple cleaning steps," it is especially common in the seed industry and grain depots.
How the compound grain cleaner works
So-called "compound" means one machine combines several cleaning methods together. A common combination is air separation, screen separation plus gravity separation: air separation relies on the airflow produced by a fan to suck away light impurities such as glumes and broken leaves, and at the same time blow off unfilled shriveled seeds; screen separation relies on screens with different hole sizes to grade the grain by particle size, with large impurities remaining on the upper screen surface and small impurities and broken grains falling to the lower layer; gravity separation, under the combined action of a vibrating table surface and airflow, separates diseased grains, insect-damaged grains and sand and stones according to seed specific gravity. With these steps working in sequence, the purity of the grain that comes out is clearly improved, and the uniformity and sprouting vigor of seed used for planting are better guaranteed.
What to focus on when buying
When buying a cleaning machine, do not just look at its appearance. It is advisable to first think clearly about three things. First, processing capacity, which must match the scale of your own or your cooperative's grain source; it is better to leave a little margin than to buy one that is just barely enough; second, cleaning performance; it is best to bring samples and test the machine on site to see whether purity and loss rate can meet the standard; third, supporting power and power supply conditions; confirm that the power supply at your site can meet the machine's requirements.
As for models, the letters and numbers in designations such as 5XFZ generally represent information such as the machine category, structural form and processing capacity. Naming rules differ slightly among manufacturers, and specific parameters should be based on the product nameplate and manual. In addition, before buying, you can consult the local agricultural machinery authorities to confirm whether the machine is in the subsidy catalog and what the subsidy amount and application process are. Standards vary from place to place, so the information published locally shall prevail.
Several details for use and maintenance
Before use, place the machine stably, choose the screens according to the material to be cleaned and check whether they are tensioned properly; when starting, let it run empty for a few minutes first, and after confirming there is nothing abnormal, feed it evenly. Never pour in too much at once, which can cause blockage. While it is running, absolutely do not put your hands into the machine to clear the screen surface or debris; you must stop the machine and cut off the power before handling it. Before changing varieties for cleaning, be sure to clean the seeds remaining on the screen surface, in the air ducts and on the table surface to prevent variety mixing. This point is especially important for seed cleaning. After use each season, clean the machine, loosen the screens and belts, and store it in a dry, ventilated place, so that starting it up next year will be trouble-free.
In short, if the compound grain cleaner is the right model and used the right way, the market quality of both grain and seed can rise to a higher level. Large-scale growers and cooperatives may want to learn more about it.