How to Adjust the Paddy Husker Machine Spacing?

After installing the paddy husker machine, adjust the spacing between the stationary rubber disk and abrasive disk. At first it may take some experimentation to determine the proper distance between the plates. The objective is to achieve a spacing that will crack the hulls from the grain without cracking the grain itself. Initially, the plates should be spaced so that at least 85% of the hulls are removed on the first pass through the mill. With practice,rice can be dehulled in one pass through the mill at 95% to 98% efficiency. Other grains are dehulled at 60 to 70% effectiveness on the first pass and therefore require several passes through the paddy husker machine, especially if they are soft grains. The paddy husker machine can be used effectively on wheat, millet and buckwheat, but not oats. We recommend growing hulless oats which have a soft hull and can be ground directly into flour or cracked in the grain mill without dehulling. The effectiveness of sunflower seed dehulling varies according the variety of sunflower. Variety selection is critical for success. Large, flat-seeded types such as 'Mammoth' do not work well in the paddy husker machine. We recommend medium-sized, black-seeded types which have a conical seed shape. Black-seeded varieties are best because it is easier to distinguish the hulls from the seed. 'Hopi Dye' sunflower has hulls that split more easily than other types. Even so, some hand-picking of seed will be required to remove chaff not removed by winnowing.


Separating the grain from the chaff: the grain can be separated from the chaff in several ways, depending on the method most convenient for you:

--Place the grain/chaff mixture in a large bowl or tray and then slowly pour the mixture into another bowl or deep tray in front of a fan placed several feet away. The fan will blow away the chaff as the mixture falls though the air. For cleaning small amounts of grain, try placing the hulled grain in a mixing bowl and then blow out...