Farmers Review Africa Sept/Oct 2018 FRA - September - October 2018 digital 5 | Page 24

FEATURE These impurities include anything larger than the grain such as sticks and anything smaller than the grain like broken kernels or sand, as well as anything lighter than the grain such as husks and dirt. All the models can be supplied with an optional air extraction fan, galvanized ducting and receiving cyclone for the collection and recovery of all of the light impurities. Facet Engineering also offers other machines for the cleaning, separating and sizing of grain, seed and cereals. poisonous particles which can cause further damage, negatively affecting the quality of the grain and seed. Cleaned grain and seed is of a higher quality and will therefore fetch a better price than ‘dirty’ grain that is full of impurities. Even if a producer does not have their own storage facilities, clean grain and seed will bring a higher return on investment for the producer. Grain that is rejected by a buyer usually results in the costs of cleaning and re-submitting to be carried by the seller, costs which can ultimately be avoided. Grain cleaners are the first and most important piece of equipment used to clean any type of grain, seed or beans. When analyzing all of the elements that can have an impact on grain quality, it makes good business sense for a seed or grain producer to seriously consider procuring their own grain cleaner. It is also estimated that the cost of a grain cleaner can generally be recovered over two to three seasons, making it a viable purchase, even for smaller producers. Innovation in the field of grain and seed cleaning Facet Engineering has been an innovator in the field of grain and seed handling and cleaning for the last 30 years. As such, they have since 22 |September - October 2018 developed their own range of grain and seed cleaning and handling equipment that can process at capacities of as high as 120 tonnes per hour. Their range of grain cleaners includes four models, all locally manufactured in South Africa in their state-of-the-art workshop facility. All these models can be used to clean a variety of different grains, either for pre-cleaning or fine cleaning. This is achieved by virtue of the ability to change the settings on When analyzing all of the elements that can have an impact on grain quality, it makes good business sense for a seed or grain producer to seriously consider procuring their own grain cleaner the machines as well as fitting different screen sizes on the removable screens. These easily-operated machines work on the tried and tested principle of vibrating screens and air extraction to separate the grain from impurities. These include: Destoner – used to separate and remove stones which are of a similar size to the seed or grain kernel. This machine works on the principle of separating by specific density or weight of the particles. Gravity table – another machine in the range which separates grain into different fractions based on specific densities. This machine is ideal for the removal of kernels which are rotten inside or eaten away. Electronic color sorters – highly specialized machines designed to separate or grade products such as seed, grain, beans and nuts, by virtue of their color differences which can be configured/calibrated using pre- programmed colr parameters. Facet Engineering’s process division works extensively in the Agri- food sector and offers solutions for: storage, conveying, cleaning, separating, grading, mixing, sorting and bagging of grain, seed and cereal products. Facet Engineering’s experience within the Agri-food processing industry spans more than 30 years. They have a wealth of knowledge in developing solutions for the handling and processing of grain, seed and cereal products.