This study was carried out to determine some engineering properties of germinating shoot of Palmyra Palm tree (Borassus aethiopum) relevant to the design of an agricultural harvesting machine. Seed volume, sphericity, weight, surface area, aspect ratio and compressive strength were determined at three different moisture contents of 41.72%, 26.11% and 18.39% (wb) respectively. Standard methods and instruments were used to conduct the experiments. The results of the physical properties revealed that the major, intermediate and minor diameters, surface area and weight increased with the increase in moisture content. The maximum mean values of the major, intermediate and minor diameters were 280.00 mm, 33.00 mm and 25.90 mm respectively while the minimum mean... |