The Effect of Blade Rotation on the Efficiency and Capacity of a Grass Chopper

Abstract

Small-scale Javanese goat farmers currently perform the chopping process manually using a sickle, a method that is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and results in non-uniform chop sizes (Syabani, 2025). This study aims to design a simple grass-chopping machine as an appropriate technology solution, determining machine specifications based on chopping capacity. The study employs a quantitative experimental method with an engineering approach, comprising stages of design, fabrication, testing, and evaluation. Testing was conducted at three capacity levels—0.58 kg/min, 0.73 kg/min, and 1.01 kg/min—yielding an average capacity of 0.77 kg/min. The results demonstrate that higher blade rotation speeds lead to greater chopping capacity, thereby confirming the alternative hypothesis. This simple grass-chopping machine can enhance the efficiency of small-scale goat farming and serves as a viable appropriate technology