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Effect of Drop Height in Bean Breakage
Research was conducted to determine if the amount of damage
as beans are dropped into a storage bin, either onto concrete or onto other
beans, was large enough to justify using a bean ladder. The amount of damage to
pinto beans and navy beans at 12%-13% moisture content increases linearly with
drop height. The amount of damage,
cracking, to navy beans when dropped onto concrete was 2% from 5 ft., 6% from 10
ft., and 12% from 15 ft. The amount of damage to navy beans when dropped onto
other beans was 2% from 5 ft., 3% from 10 ft., and 8% from 15 ft.
The amount of damage to pinto beans when dropped onto
concrete was 3% from 5 ft., 9% from 10 ft., and 15% from 15 ft. The amount of
damage to pinto beans when dropped onto other beans was 1% from 5 ft., 7% from
10 ft., and 10% from 15 ft. There
was a difference in the amount of damage occurring between when beans are
dropped onto concrete or onto other beans, but the amount of damage was high for
both conditions. Beans at 16%
moisture content had less damage than beans at 13%, but it was still excessive.
This validates the need to use a bean ladder when placing beans into
storage or other places where the beans might be dropped.
Figure 7. Pinto
bean damage when 12%-13% moisture content beans are dropped onto concrete and
other beans.
Kenneth Hellevang, Ph.D., PE
Extension Engineer, Professor
NDSU Extension Service
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