Rice Technology Bulletin

Department of Agriculture
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) ISSN 0117-9799 2000 No. 23

and Processing
Rice Production
Equipment for
 EQUIPMENT FOR RICE PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING
SOWING
LAND PREPARATION

PhilRice Improved PhilRice-JICA Hand Tractor-

PhilRice Rototiller Drumseeder drawn Drumseeder
HARVESTING

SG800 Rice LS600 Lite Stripper PhilRice-JICA Rotary

Stripper Harvester Reaper

DRYING RICE PROCESSING

PhilRice Flour Mill

Bamboo Bin Dryer
BIOMASS UTILIZATION

PhilRice Micromill

PhilRice Flatbed Dryer Maligaya Rice Hull Stove

 Foreword
This bulletin presents the different equipment for rice produc-
tion and food processing that were developed, improved or modi-
fied by PhilRice in collaboration with farmers and government and
non-government agencies such as the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),
and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), among others.

Most of the equipment were designed to work under certain

range of conditions, addressing location-specific problems. Hence,
it is expected that they may not be applicable in some areas of the
country because of differences not only in the farming or working
conditions but also in the preferences of the farmers or end users.
This is the reason why information such as specifications and
outstanding features of the machine, the problems addressed, and
intended beneficiaries are also provided in this bulletin.

We are willing to collaborate with interested manufacturers

who want to produce the equipment. For some equipment, we are
limiting the number of manufacturers to a manageable level to
protect the interest of the end users, consumers, and PhilRice.

We hope that these equipment will ease farm operations as

well as the processing of rice and rice by-products.

SANTIAGO R. OBIEN
Executive Director
PhilRice Rototiller

Design History
The design was conceptualized
and tested at the Asian Institute of
Technology in Bangkok, Thailand. It
was further tested in the ash-laden
areas of Pampanga, where much of
the modifications and refinements in
the machine have been derived.

Problems Addressed
• Inadequate land preparation
equipment
• Inefficient land preparation
• Lack of rotavator attachments designed for local handtractors
• Expensive alternative machines
• Sinking of handtractor in deep mud areas

2
Outstanding Features
• Lightweight, portable, and detachable assembly
• Cheaper alternative to floating tiller
• Transportable
• Maximizes the use of the handtractor
• High puddling capacity, adjustable depth (15 cm max.)
to fit with various soil conditions
• Low fuel consumption
• Easy to fabricate, repair, and maintain using locally
available materials and fabrication tools

Specifications
Field capacity : 2 ha/day
Power requirement : 7 hp (5.2 kW) diesel engine or 10hp
gasoline engine
Labor requirement : 1 person
Speed : 2 km/h
Fuel consumption : 1.3 L/h
Weight : 50 kg (rototiller only)
Width of cut : 102 cm
Construction : Steel, oil bath chain, and
sprocket transmission
Intended users : Lowland farmers
Cost* : P7,500 - P9,000 (excluding hand tractor)

____________________
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

3
PhilRice Improved Drum Seeder

Design History
The design was based from the
IRRI drum seeder. Based on field
test trials and farmers’ feedback,
modifications were made to suit lo-
cal conditions. The modifications
were focused on minimizing dis-
placement of newly-sown seeds
caused by rainfall and pest damage,
making the seeder adaptable for dry
seeding in well-tilled soil.

Problems Addressed
• High labor requirement and cost of transplanting
• Labor shortage especially during peak planting season
• High seeding rate incurred on manual broadcasting
• Difficulty of performing mechanical weeding and other opera-
tions for broadcast direct-seeding

4
Outstanding Features
• Simple, low cost, and easy to fabricate using local materials
• Portable and lightweight
• Can be used both for dryland and wetland seeding
• Rice grains seeded in straight rows, allowing
mechanical weeding between rows
• Adjustable seeding rate
• Seeds are partially buried in furrows, hence, they are protected
against rodents and birds

Specifications
Labor Requirement : 1 person
Seed hopper capacity : 8 kg (2 kg/hopper)
Seeding capacity : 1 ha/day
Seeding Rate : 40-80 kg/ha, adjustable
Number of Rows : 8
Row spacing : 20 cm
Construction : steel
Seed Preparation : 24 h soaking, 24 h incubation for wet
seeding; dry seeds for dry seeding
Machine Weight : 12 kg
Intended users : Lowland and rainfed farmers
Cost* : P4,000 - P5,000

____________________
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

5
PhilRice-JICA Handtractor-drawn
drum seeder

Design History
This machine uses the same
seed metering mechanism as that of
the manually-drawn drumseeder,
which was developed by IRRI and
later improved by PhilRice. The main
concept was to increase the seeding
capacity and lessen the drudgery of
operation by mounting it on local handtractors. The design was a
collaborative work between the engineers of PhilRice and JICA.

Problems Addressed
• Low capacity and drudgery in direct-seeding and transplanting
operations
• High cost of transplanting operations, with 20-25 laborers per ha
• Limited labor for transplanting during peak planting season
• High seeding rate of broadcast seeding

6
Outstanding Features
• High seeding capacity of 3-5 ha/day by 2 persons
• Adjustable seeding rates of 40-120 kg/ha regulated by covering
lines of drum holes
• Minimizes effect of water puddles in the field
• Easy to operate as attachment to the hand tractor
• Can be easily fabricated by local manufacturers
• Row seeding for easy crop care; allows use of mechanical
weeder

Specifications
Type : Attached to hand tractor
Width : 262 cm
Length : 136 cm
Overall height : 750 cm (depth control sleigh)
Total weight : 70 kg (excluding hand tractor)
Number of rows : 12
Row spacing : Every 20 cm except the center
which is 30 cm
Seeding devices : 6 drums with dimension of 20 cm diam-
eter, 30 cm long, 2 lines of holes on each
side, and ground driven
Furrower : Spring-loaded 262 cm long sheet metal
reinforced with angular bar with detach-
able 13 rows trapezoidal furrowers and
tooth
Labor requirement : 2 persons (1 operator, 1 assistant)
Effective seeding width : 250 cm
Cost* : P7,500 - P8,500 (excluding handtractor)
___________________
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

7
SG 800 Rice Stripper Harvester

Design History
Stripping mechanism consists of
a rotor, fitted with key-hole shaped
flexible teeth, which combs the grain
from the straw during operation. De-
sign of stripping mechanism came
from Silsoe Research Institute,
United Kingdom. It was adopted for
small machines by IRRI and to lo-
cal conditions by PhilRice engi-
neers. It was initially promoted in
the Philippines by PhilRice in col-
laboration with GTZ.
Major innovation involved re-
placing the imported polyurethane
stripper teeth with used car tires.

8
Problems Addressed
• Slow harvesting owing to inefficient tools and methods
• Not enough farm labor during peak harvest season
• High in-field losses in harvesting, handling, and threshing op-
erations

Outstanding Features
• Efficiency. 7-10 persons can harvest about 1 ha, thresh and
clean the grains in 1 day using the harvester in combination with
a small thresher.
• Simple construction. It has only one moving part for stripping
the grains: the rotating comb-like structure made of used car
tires.
• Reduced grain loss. The average in-field harvesting loss is only
1.88%.
• Adaptable. It can harvest partially lodged crop.

Specifications
Capacity : 1 ha/day
Power requirement : 9-12 hp gasoline engine (2000 rpm)
Labor requirement : 7-10 persons (to finish 1 ha in one day)
Speed : 4 kph (forward); 3.5 kph (reverse)
Fuel consumption : 2 L/h
Total harvesting width : 80 cm
Grain loss : 2%
Cost* : P60,000 - P65,000
____________________
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

9
LS 600 Lite Stripper

Design History
The design evolved as a re-
sponse to farmers’ clamor for a lighter
and cheaper version of the SG800
rice harvester that can also work on
soft field conditions during wet sea-
son harvesting. Major improvements
include a simpler frame, side-feed-
ing of container, and moving of en-
gine to the center for better stability.

Problems Addressed
• Delay in harvesting owing to inefficient tools and methods
• Limited availability of farm labor during peak harvest season
• High in-field losses in harvesting, handling, and threshing op-
erations
• Sinking of heavy machines in softer, wet field conditions

10
Outstanding Features
• Efficient. 8-10 persons can harvest, thresh, and clean the grains
of more than one-half hectare in 1 day with a separate thresher.
• Simple and low-cost construction. It has only one moving
part for stripping the grains and is affordable for individual farm-
ers.
• Reduced grain loss. Average in-field harvesting loss is 2%.
• Light weight. It can work in soft soil conditions during wet
season.

Specifications
Harvesting width : 60 cm
Capacity : 0.75 to 1.0 ha/day
Power requirement : 7.5 hp gasoline engine
Labor requirement : 8-10 persons (to finish 0.75 to 1 ha in one
day)
Machine weight : 180 kg with engine
Fuel Consumption : 1 L/h
Grain loss, average : 2%
Speed : 4 kph (forward), 3.5 kph (reverse)
Cost* : P45,000 - 55,000

_________________
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

11
PhilRice-JICA Rotary Reaper

Design History
In the 1980s, IRRI developed and
introduced the IRRI-CAAMS reaper.
This machine has a scissor-type cut-
ting mechanism (cutterbar) similar to
imported reapers, which are now
gaining popularity in rice producing
areas in Luzon. Some problems
were encountered when the local
design was introduced for commercialization. One is the relatively
high degree of precision required in its fabrication, which our local
manufacturers could hardly attain.
The PhilRice-JICA Rotary Reaper uses a rotary cutting mecha-
nism (similar to that used in grass cutters) to replace the cutterbar.
The cutting blades, as well as other components, can be fabricated
and maintained easily by our local manufacturers. This design was
the result of a collaboration between PhilRice and JICA.

Problems Addressed
• Not enough harvesting labor during peak season

12
 • Low labor productivity
• Expensive alternative machines
• Complicated mechanism for local production and maintenance

Outstanding Features
• Affordable to farmers
• Easy to operate
• Locally designed and manufactured
• Low repair and maintenance cost

Specifications
Field capacity, max : 2.0 ha/day
Power requirement : 6 hp gasoline engine
Travel speed : 2.7 kph
Labor requirement : 2 persons
Grain loss : 1.0~1.7%
Effective cutting width : 100 cm
Overall dimensions : 208 x130 x 119 cm (LxWxH)
Total weight : 160 kg
Transmission type : V-belt-pulley combination,
1 forward, 1 reverse
Cutting device : 3 discs with 4 blades
Rubber tire : (4x12), OD=51 cm, 68 cm tread
Steering type : Wheel slippage enforced by handle lever-
age
Windrow formation : Straw belt conveyed transversely and dis-
charged by a flat belt with lugs
Stubble height on : Adjustable from 10 to 35 cm
hard ground
Cost : P60,000 - 65,000
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

13
PhilRice Flatbed Dryer

Design History
Original design came from UPLB
(1-t capacity) and IRRI (2-t capacity)
using sheet metal or plywood for the
bin. Vietnamese engineers scaled
the design and came up with 4-10 t
capacity per batch using local mate-
rials such as fire bricks for bin and
furnace.
Blower of the PhilRice Flatbed Dryer
PhilRice adapted the Vietnamese
design by using hollow blocks for bin.
The design of furnace was replaced with an inclined step grate type
instead of the original vibrating ash grate. Later, the furnace was
made of adobe replacing the fire bricks in the original design.

14
Outstanding Features
• Can complete drying from wet or dripping wet to 13-14% MC;
dried output can be used for seed purposes with accurate con-
trol of temperature at 43°C.
• Uses farm by-products such as rice hull, corn cobs, or coffee
hulls as fuel for heating drying air.
• Simple, easy to fabricate and operate, and needs minimal main-
tenance.
• Multi-crop capability for other grains such as corn, coffee, le-
gumes, and other crops (banana and cassava chips) aside from
palay.
• Allows drying during unfavorable weather conditions, i.e., at night
and during typhoons.
• Allows income generation from custom drying operations.

Specifications
Capacity : 6 t (120 cav) per batch
Drying time : 4-8 h per batch (up to 14%MC)
Drying temperature : 43-60°C (can be regulated accurately)
Fuel : Rice hull at 3-4 cav (35kg) per hour
Power requirement : Minimum of 12hp diesel or electric motor
Drying bin : Hollow blocks, cement, perforated sheets
Blower : Tube axial fan operating at 1600 rpm, for
0.83 m3/sec/t of paddy at 30 mm water
static pressure
Intended beneficiaries : Farmer cooperatives and entrepreneurs
Cost* : P100,000.00 (without shed and engine)
P185,000.00 (with shed and engine)
__________________
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

15
Bamboo Bin Dryer

Design History
The design was patterned after
the low cost dryer developed by the
University of Agriculture and Forestry
in Vietnam in collaboration with the
GTZ.
The modification include increas-
ing the capacity of the drying bin from
10 to 20 cav/batch and setting the
maximum adjustment of the heater
for faster drying.

Problems Addressed
• Lack of low cost, small capacity dryer suited for small scale
farmers
• High drying cost of existing dryers
• Low market price of paddy during wet season

16
Outstanding Features
• Simple design using automotive fan, small electric motor, elec-
tric resistor, and bamboo mats
• Low-temperature drying for high head rice and milling recovery
• Appropriate capacity of 10 - 20 cav per batch for small individual
farmers
• Minimal attention time, which allows farmers to attend to other
tasks while drying
• Multi-crop capability for palay, corn in cobs, etc.
• Complete drying from wet to 13-14%; dried output can be used
for seed purposes
• Versatile. Its blower can be used to clean grains
• Portable and convenient to transport
• Easy to operate and install

Specifications
Capacity : Maximum of 20 cav per batch
Drying time : 27-30 h per batch (up to 14% MC) de-
pending on initial MC. Dry during daytime
only.
Drying air temp. : 2-3oC higher than ambient air during fine
weather
: 0.5-1.0oC higher than ambient air during
rainy periods
Electric consumption : 1.5 kW/h
Drying bin : Two concentric bamboo mats on a plas-
tic-lined flooring
Blower : Car radiator fan operated by ½ hp elec-
tric motor at 2800 rpm
Intended users : Small farmers
Cost* : P8,000 - P9,000
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depending
on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

17
PhilRice Micromill

Design History
The original design of this por-
table, kiskisan-type rice mill came
from China. IRRI came up with a
modified design that could be easily
manufactured by local manufactur-
ers. PhilRice improved the design
based on the feedback of the village
folks who have used the prototype.

Problems Addressed
• Lack of milling facilities in
remote villages
• High cost of milling and transport
• High losses from manual milling

18
Outstanding Features
• Portable, lightweight
• Easy to operate and maintain
• Efficient, high milling recovery
• Can be used to mill other grains
• Simple, low-cost, and easy to manufacture using
local materials
• Can mill small quantities

Specifications
HOUSEHOLD MODEL VILLAGE MODEL
Power : 1 hp electric 7-9 hp gasoline
motor or engine or
5 hp gasoline 6 hp diesel engine
Input Capacity : 50-100 kg 150-250 kg
paddy/h paddy/h
Energy Consumption : 1 kW-h/h or 1 L/h 1.5-2.0 L/h
Material Used : Steel and plastic Steel and plastic
Labor Requirement : 1 person 1-2 persons
Intended users : Farmers in remote villages
Cost* : P17,000.00 P17,000.00
(with electric motor) (without engine)

____________________
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

19
PhilRice Flourmill milling chamber

Design History
The design was based from the
model developed by Mr. Justo Riñen,
a farmer-inventor in Ilocos Norte.
PhilRice engineers optimized its de-
sign and operation parameters (ro-
tor speed, number of rotor blades,
number of stationary bars, etc.) to im-
prove the machine’s performance,
particularly in terms of the fineness
of the flour output and applicability for dry milling. A cyclone separa-
tor was also incorporated to facilitate flour collection and minimize
dust contamination of the operator.

20
Problems Addressed
• Lack of flour mill to process dry flour
• Wet milling process easily contaminates flour
• Wet flour and product derivatives have short shelf life (1 day)

Outstanding Features
• Produces fine, dry flour for some traditional food and bakery
products
• Output can be stored for up to 6 months
• Output free from contamination
• Can be used to mill corn, peanut, cassava, ube, squash,
banana, mungbean, chili, black pepper, soybean, and other
dried food products
• Easy to operate and maintain
• Easy to fabricate with local materials
• Can mill small quantities

Specifications
HOUSEHOLD MODEL VILLAGE MODEL
Power Requirement : 1.5 kW motor 7.5 kW motor
Capacity : 10 kg/h 50-100 kg/h
Milling Recovery : 98% 98%
Construction : steel steel
Labor Requirement : 1 person 1 person
Flour fineness : Mesh # 60-100 Mesh # 60-100
Machine weight : 40 kg 100 kg
Intended users : Farmers’ households and cooperatives
Small business operators (flour supplier)
Food processors
Cost* (with electric motor): P10,000-P15,000 P40,000-P50,000
___________________
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

21
Maligaya Rice Hull Stove

Design History
The current design is an improve-
ment of Vietnamese and Indonesian
rice hull stoves. After testing their per-
formance with other rice hull stove
designs (local and foreign), both
stoves were found to possess out-
standing features that were incorpo-
rated in this new design.

Problems Addressed
• High cost of fuel (LPG, kerosene) for domestic use
• Problem on disposal of rice hull by rice millers
• Lack of source of firewood for cooking

22
Outstanding Features
• Inexpensive and easy to fabricate
• Generates high heat (yellow to bluish flame)
• Easy to ignite and operate
• Environment-friendly
• Practically smokeless
• Requires less attention
• Simple, low cost, and lightweight design
• Efficient and economical

Specifications
Construction : GI sheet/Stainless steel and round bar
Fuel Requirement : 1 kg rice hull per hour
Temperature : 600-700oC for 15-20 min. Can boil one L
of water in 4-5 min
Ignition : Burning starts after 36 sec upon dropping
a burning paper
Fuel Capacity : One load can continuously burn for 28
min, enough to cook rice and vegetable
viand for a household of five members.
Intended users : Farm households in rice-growing areas
Cost* : P400 - P500 (B.I. sheet)
P1,000 (stainless material)

____________________
*Estimated cost as of March 2000. The actual cost varies depend-
ing on the kind of materials used, manufacturer, and location.

23
 Abbreviations used:
BI - black iron L - liter
cav - cavan max - maximum
cm - centimeter min - minute
h - hour MC - moisture content
ha - hectare mm - millimeter
hp - horsepower OD - outside diameter
rpm - revolution per minute
kg - kilogram sec - second
kph - kilometer per hour t - ton
km - kilometer
kW - kilowatt

Technical Advisers: Santiago R. Obien

Karen Eloisa T. Barroga
Roger F. Barroga

Subject Matter Specialists: Eulito U. Bautista Ricardo F. Orge

Eden C. Gagelonia Caesar Joventino M. Tado
Joselito A. Damian

Managing Editors: Teresa P. De Leon

Olive Rose O. Matchoc

Layout Designer: Arleen Robert Baclit

Carlo G. Dacumos

Cover: Leo B. Moliñawe

For further information, contact:

Rice Engineering and Mechanization Division
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Maligaya, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

Published 2000 by the Philippine Rice Research Institute. Readers are

encouraged to reproduce the contents of this bulletin with acknowledgment.

24
Rice TTechnology
echnology Bulletin Series:

No. 1 Released Rice Varieties (1968-1994)

No. 2 Pagpaparami at Pagpupuro ng Binhi sa Sariling Bukid
No. 3 Paggawa ng Maligaya Rice Hull Stove
No. 4 PhilRice Micromill
No. 5 PhilRice Flourmill
No. 6 PhilRice Drumseeder
No. 7 PhilRice Rototiller
No. 8 Rice Food Products
No. 9 PhilRice-UAF Batch Dryer
No. 10 Integrated Management of the Malayan Black Bug
No. 11 SG800 Rice Stripper-Harvester
No. 12 Dry Seeded Rice-Based Cropping Technologies
No. 13 Maligaya Rice Hull Stove
No. 14 10 Steps in Compost Production
No. 15 Rice Tungro Virus Disease
No. 16 The Philippine Rice Seed Industry and the
National Rice Seed Production Network
No. 17 10 Hakbang sa Paggawa ng Kompost
No. 18 10 nga Addang ti Panagaramid iti Compost
No. 19 Characteristics of Popular Philippine Rice Varieties
No. 20 Rice Stem Borers in the Philippines
No. 21 Rice Food Products (revised edition)
No. 22 Leaf Color Chart
 DA-PhilRice
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is a government corporation
attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Executive Order 1061 approved on
Nov. 5, 1985 and amended by EO 60 dated Nov. 7, 1986, created PhilRice to help
develop high-yielding technologies so that farmers can produce enough rice for all
Filipinos. PhilRice accomplishes this mission through research, development, and
extension, which are implemented through a network that includes 56 agencies and 98
seed centers strategically located nationwide.
Its interdisciplinary programs include the following: (1) direct-seeded and (2)
transplanted irrigated lowland rice; (3) hybrid rice; (4) rice for adverse environments; (5)
rice-based farming systems; (6) rice and rice-based products; (7) policy research and
advocacy; and (8) technology promotion. With these programs, PhilRice aims to
develop and promote technologies that are ecosystem-based, location- and problem-
specific, and profitable to the Filipino farmers.

for more information, DA-PhilRice Maligaya

write, visit or call: Muñoz, 3119 Nueva Ecija
Tel: 63 (044) 456-0112, -0113, -0258, -0277,
-0285, -0354
Tel/Fax: (02) 843-5122
63 (044) 456-0649 local 261; -0651 local 511; -
0652 local 515; -0653 local 529
e-mail: philrice@mozcom.com
URL: http://www.philrice.net

DA-PhilRice Los Baños

UPLB Campus, College, 4031 Laguna
Tel: 63 (049) 536-3631 to 33, -3635
Tel/Fax: 63 (049) 536-3515
e-mail: philrice@laguna.net

DA-PhilRice San Mateo

Malasin, San Mateo, 3318 Isabela
Tel: 63 (078) 664-2280, -2954
Tel/Fax: 63 (078) 664-2953
e-mail: philrice-isabela@digitelone.com

DA-PhilRice Batac
17 Tabug, Batac, 2906 Ilocos Norte
Tel: 63 (077) 792-4714
Tel/Fax: 63 (077) 792-4702
e-mail: philrice@ILN.CSI.com.ph

DA-PhilRice Midsayap
Bual Norte, Midsayap, 9410 North Cotabato
Tel: 63 (06422) 98178
e-mail: philrice@microweb.com.ph

DA-PhilRice
Department of Agriculture
Philippine Rice Research Institute
DA-PhilRice Agusan
Basilisa, RTRomualdez, 8611 Agusan del Norte
Tel: 63 (085) 818-2277, -3377; (0918) 406-1145
Tel/Fax: 63 (085) 818-4477
e-mail: cvces001@cdo.philcom.com.ph