WITHERING TROUGHS are generally installed in the first floor of the factory. Green leaf is spread over a wire mesh (No.4/16 gauge) which is fitted on plenum chamber. The height of the plenum chamber is 0.6-.76 m (2-2.5 feet) and leaf is loaded over the mesh to.20-.23 m (8-9") height or 8-9 kg/sq. m. (2.5-3 kg/sq. ft.) of the withering trough. The size of the withering trough is 30.5 m (100') long 1.8 m (6') wider or 22.9 m (75') long and 1.8 m (6') wide. Better withering can be achieved with smaller trough 22.9 X 1.8 m (75' x 6'). The trough should be fitted with a suitable fan to deliver the required quantity of air as per the size of the trough. To achieve proper withering the fan has to deliver 45 CFM air for every one square foot of trough area. For artificial withering hot air from the drier room is bulked with outside air and used. Fans are arranged in such a way that they can draw hot air from the drier and cool air from the atmosphere.

GREEN LEAF SIFTER is designed to remove extraneous matter such as stones, metal pieces etc to avoid damage to CTC rollers. The green leaf sifter consists of a reciprocating tray powered with an electric motor. The reciprocating tray is fitted with a mesh through which leaves are passed and unwanted materials removed. Powerful magnets are fitted in the sifter which remove iron/steel particles from the green leaf.

GREEN LEAF SHREDDER is a pre-conditioning machine. The machine shreds the leaves into small pieces before sending it to the rotorvane. Besides, the green leaf shredder helps to increase the rotorvane capacity and in efficient mixing of RC material to the withered leaf especially in the CTC type of processing. The machine consists of a cylinder in which the main shaft having knives (blades) rotate at a speed of 2500 RPM.

ORTHODOX ROLLER A conventional roller for orthodox rolling consists of three parts- the table, the hood and the pressure cap. Rotation of the machine is achieved through three crankshafts attached to the table. The level gear mechanism transmits power to one of the crankshafts at a time, while the other two rotate freely on their bearings and play an auxiliary role. The pressure cap applies pressure to the leaf mass during rolling, imparting the proper twisting and brushing action. It is the pressure applied during orthodox rolling that causes the extraction of sap and imparts twist to the leaf. In some kinds of rolling tables, both vertical and lateral pressures may be applied. Vertical pressure is applied with the help of pressure caps, whereas lateral pressure is applied by a cone fitted in the middle of the table. This cone also causes greater circulation of leaf than that provided by battens alone