Effects of Moisture Content and Hood Design on Shredding Extent of Corn Stover

A corn stover shredder using a flail type knife and tine shredding mechanism was designed, fabricated, and tested with the objective of improving the extent of shredding with corn stover. Leachate ion conductivity index represents access to plant nutrients and was used to indicate shredding effectiveness. Shredding was more effective (higher leachate ion conductivity index representing better access to plant nutrients) with a closed hood design with slots (single pass) than with an open hood design (multi-pass). Extent of shredding was proportional to moisture content at the time of shredding. The attempt to process the corn stover at 70% w.b. was promising as it resulted in a highest leachate ion conductivity (LIC) index of 86%, which is comparable to that of hammer-milled dry stover. Shredding at 8% or 40% moisture content yielded lower LIC indices. Two speeds for the shredding rotors (no-load speeds of 1300 and 700 rpm) were tested with the three moisture levels and the closed-hood with slots design but shredding speed did not affect LIC. Keywords: Corn stover, Hood design, Leachate ion conductivity, Moisture content, Shredding, Shredding speed.