Abstract
The methods employed by rural dwellers and small-scale companies who are in the palm kernel nuts production business range from the use of shelling stones, mortar and pestles, and palm kernel nut grinders. However, these methods are stressful and inefficient. Therefore, this work focuses on the design and construction of a motorized shelling machine which is less stressful and more efficient. The materials used for the construction of the machine were mild steel and cast iron which were locally sourced. After the construction, the machine was tested to evaluate its efficiency. The machine shelling time was 2.5 minutes to shell 1 kg of the nuts. The test was repeated 10 times and the average shelled nuts in 2.5 minutes was 0.88kg. It was established that in one hour the machine shelled approximately 21.2 kg of palm kernel nuts and thus, in a day (8 working hours) it will shell about 170 kg. The efficiency of the machine was 88%. The cost of fabrication was one hundred and fifty-six thousand, six hundred and forty naira only (N156,640:00) which was found to be cheaper than the foreign one of similar size and capacity as well as some of the locally produced types. Therefore, this machine is more economical and efficient for small and medium scales industries in the production of palm kernel nuts. In addition, the machine is simple to use and maintain and separates the cracked nuts from the shells and uncracked nuts.