Uji Kinerja Alat Pengutip Brondolan Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Mekanis

Abstract

The collection of oil palm loose fruits is generally still carried out manually, which requires considerable labor and time. This manual method is considered less efficient due to its impact on collection effectiveness. One potential solution is the use of a mechanical loose fruit collector. Previous studies have tested a mechanical collector operating at a motor speed of 50 rpm; however, such a speed was found to be relatively low in terms of efficiency and tool capacity, prompting the need for further research. This study aims to evaluate the performance of a mechanical oil palm loose fruit collector to improve work efficiency, capacity, and reduce harvest losses. Tests were conducted at three different motor rotational speeds (1000 rpm, 1200 rpm, and 1400 rpm) to assess the effective capacity, percentage of collected and uncollected fruits, tool efficiency, and economic feasibility. The results showed that the 1400 rpm speed produced the best performance, with an effective capacity of 176.648 kg/hour, a collected fruit percentage of 93.333%, and tool efficiency of 93.085%. Moreover, the economic analysis indicated that the tool is feasible for operation, with a break-even point (BEP) of 68.072 kg/year, a net present value (NPV) of IDR 25,283,327/year, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 46.21%, exceeding the general interest rate. Therefore, the use of this tool can serve as an effective and economical mechanization solution for oil palm loose fruit collection, supporting sustainable agriculture by reducing operational costs and increasing productivity.