All forms of yam tuber processing demand that the tubers be peeled. The lack of a successful commercial peeling machine has been a major factor inhibiting the growth of the yam processing industry. In recognition of this problem, a mechanical yam peeler was built. Emphasis was placed on the peeling of D. rotundata (white yam). The machine consists of a (1) conveyor system which accepts the unpeeled tuber, delivers it to where it will be peeled, and withdraws it after it is peeled; (2) the peeling chamber where the peeling is done; (3) transmission; and (4) an electrical prime mover. The machine was designed for continuous peeling. Many parts are spring-loaded to accommodate various sizes and shapes of yam tubers. The machine performance was characterized by peeling efficiency, peeling losses, and throughput rate. It peels at the rate of 16 mm of tuber length per second irrespective of the tuber size and shape. Peeling efficiency ranged from 62.7 to 80 while material recovery ranged from 82.7 to 88.8 . The machine performance was not affected by tuber mass, tuber diameter, and moisture content.
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