USER MANUAL

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 INTRODUCTION

With time, we are losing time. With each passing day the thought of an
individual mind provokes this idea of success. The change in the statement of
success was as random as the invention of coke. Now, for standing in this high
world people have to go through the harshest of environments and have their
own ways of relaxing their way out. One of the most used ways is going out
with tea. People have made traditions of tea ceremonies for well being and
gatherings. But, do we ever have this thought where does so much tea get
produced from? Who are these people responsible for? There maybe or not
so many of those but yes, there’s a whole lot driving these huge demands with
smiles on their faces. But, mostly tea plucking in tea estates is done through
the traditional way of hand-plucking, which is mostly the work of women
labour here. But there’s this one way of easing their trouble of plucking
hectares of fields through hands, “PLUCKY”. We made this one hand operated
tea leaf cutting machine, that would take care of two problems mainly in large
tea estates, wastage of full grown tea leaves and also, easing the overall work
off these ladies, working their backs off plucking tea leaves for us.

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 PRODUCT DETAILS
One of the 1st Indian made products, which outran it chinese competition in
terms of reliability and trustability. The performance parameters as compared
with that of others in the market, “PLUCKY”, gets a clean sweep out.
Listing several features of “PLUCKY” :

1. An electronic module especially designed with 3 Speed Selection, an

Overload and Low Battery indicator.

2. Ergonomic design for easy handling.

3. Powered using a Li-Ion Battery Pack called a “POWER PACK”, which should
last 4 hours on a single charge.

4. Aluminium based housing, praising up it’s fairly strong build.

5. Easy maintenance(which can be done using the steps given.)

6. A long wired connector given for easy use with a power pack.

7. Tool-Kit provided with a bag for battery.

8. A thermocouple switch is connected with the motor for overheating.

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MACHINE DETAILS

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1. ELECTRONIC MODULE: An electronic module, especially designed for
“PLUCKY”, is a basic DC-DC PWM Based Buck converter, for driving our 15W
motor using a PIC microcontroller, with a circuit of capacitor for power
filtration and MOSFET with a array of resistors and diode for reverse
polarity protection.

2. POWERPACK: The crazy alternative for a VRLA type battery is a Li-Ion based
battery pack, backing up the same power in a small, light package with a
smart battery protection for over-discharge/charge protection.

3. ALUMINIUM HOUSING: Machine always needs a body to complete, giving

“PLUCKY” the edge of sturdiness. We designed this housing that’ll also
work well as a heat sink for the heat generated inside the operation zone.

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GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USAGE OF PLUCKY
● This machine is designed to do a tender job of cutting soft tea leaves.
Thicker or hard branches may be avoided for cutting by this machine.
● This machine is for intermittent use, and not continuous use. We should not
run the machine continuously for more than 15-20 minutes in a stretch. A
small 5 minute gap between each running cycle will help the machine to
cool down, and shall be functioning without problems.
● The machine is fitted with a temperature switch. This will put off the motor,
if the temperature of the motor reaches 70 Deg. The motor will restart
again when the temperature is reduced to 45 Deg. If rest is given between
each cycle, the motor will not get heated to 70 Deg.
● Before start of using the machine, do following checks
1. Three nuts tightening the blades should not be loose.
2. Check all other bolts and nuts, and if found loose, should be
tightened.
3. There should not be any unusual sound during the operation. In
case you observe vibration or unusual sound, please do not use the
machine
4. Start the machine and observe, if the blade speed is correct. In case
you observe variation in blade speed, please get the machine
checked.
5. In case of any confusion, check the amperage taken by the
machine. It should not be more than 1.7 Amperes.
6. Battery connector to the machine should be properly connected.
There should not be any loose connection. Tighten the connector
nut properly.
● Every 15 days, the machine may be checked for connecting rod bushes.
In case there is a play between the blade pin and connecting rod bushes,
then it may be replaced.

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● The machine uses small dia screws and nuts. While tightening, normal
force only should be applied.
● While in operation and handling, pl ensure safety of the bucket. Bucket is
mounted on a blade supporting hanger. Straightness of this hanger is
very important for correct machine functioning.
● Operators should keep themselves safe from moving blades. The blades
are sharp and moving at about 2200 RPM. So, it can seriously injure, in
case of contact.
● There is no requirement of using any lubrication in this machine. The
machine is fitted with bearings with covers, which is pre lubricated.

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 DO’S AND DON’TS

DO’S:
1. TO BE USED FOR PURPOSE OF CUTTING LEAVES ONLY, ANY OTHER USING
TECHNIQUES MAY DAMAGE THE MACHINE.
2. FOR PROPER FUNCTIONING OF MACHINE, IT HAS TO BE OPERATED IN
INTERVALS.
3. THE CONNECTOR HAS TO BE PROPERLY CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY OR
THERE ARE CHANCES OF HAZARDS.
4. FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES ONE CAN FOLLOW THE DIY GUIDE.
5. BEFORE OPERATION THE OPERATOR HAS TO CHECK THE MACHINE AND
THE BATTERY FOR ANY ILL SIGNS.
6. THE BATTERIES SHOULDN’T BE LEFT ON CHARGE FOR MORE THAN 5
HOURS.

DON’TS:
1) LUBRICANTS, OILS AND AEROSOLS OF ANY TYPE IS PROHIBITED TO BE
USED EXTERNALLY WITH THE MACHINE.
2) NO EXTERNAL LOADS ARE TO BE GIVEN ANYWHEDRE ON THE MACHINE
LIKE ON HANDLE, BUCKET OR THE CONNECTORS.
3) LI-ION BATTERY PACKS ARE VERY HAZARDOUS AND SHOULDN’T BE
PLAYED WITH IN ANYWAY OR MISHANDLED.

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4) IN CASE OF STRANGE WORKING OF MACHINE OR ANY SORT OF
MAINTENANCE WORK, ONE HAS TO FOLLOW THE GIVEN GUIDELINES.
5) THE BLADES OF THIS MACHINE IS EDGED SHARPED AND ARE CAPABLE OF
CAUSING IMMENSE DAMAGE.