Cleaning Field Peas with an Aerodynamic Grain Cleaner: Splits and Light Damaged Peas

The METRA ADS aerodynamic grain cleaner separates material in a controlled air stream. METRA uses this series to separate split peas and lighter unwanted material from whole field peas. The company's operating experience also includes separating shrivelled, affected or sprouted peas where their weight and behaviour in airflow differ from the grain being retained. Start with the actual material you want to remove and the quality you want to keep.

Saskatchewan's northeastern crop report for September 8-14, 2026 described rain delays and concerns about grain quality, with variable pea grades. The cleaning decision starts with a representative sample from your own lot: identify the splits, light peas or other material you need to remove. Northeastern Saskatchewan crop report

How an aerodynamic grain cleaner separates the fractions

Peas and unwanted material move differently through a controlled air stream. Weight, size and shape influence that movement. Adjustable airflow and outlet baffles let the operator collect different fractions and match the settings to the crop and separation target. METRA ADS operating manual

For split peas, the aim is to collect halves separately while retaining the desired whole peas. For a lot containing light, shrivelled peas, the aim is to separate that lighter fraction. The best settings depend on the incoming lot. Compare the composition and quantity of each collected fraction to see how well the separation meets your target.

What changes when peas are damaged or sprouted?

Damage can create a useful separation difference. In METRA's experience, affected peas that have become lighter can leave in a different fraction from the peas being retained. The same selection principle can apply to sprouted or shrivelled peas when their physical behaviour differs sufficiently.

A pea can retain a normal external size while losing mass. That lighter pea can respond differently to airflow and be collected separately from heavier peas. External size alone does not determine whether the airflow cleaner can separate it.

Cleaning changes which peas remain in the lot. It does not turn an individual sprouted pea back into an undamaged one. Ask the buyer or grader which characteristics matter, then compare those characteristics before and after cleaning. Avoid judging the lot solely by a cleaner appearance.

When does optical sorting enter the discussion?

If an unwanted fraction has a visible colour difference that remains after air cleaning, optical sorting is a separate option to assess. A METRA optical colour sorter compares colour signals with a reference and uses air jets to divert selected material. METRA colour sorter manual

For pea halves or lighter unwanted peas, start by assessing airflow separation. For a remaining colour defect, assess optical sorting. Colour and weight are different characteristics, so the useful separation method depends on the peas in your sample.

Record what the cleaning achieves

Keep a representative untreated sample and identify the target before changing settings. Record the starting mass, feed and airflow settings, and the mass of each collected fraction. Label the samples and note any uncollected material. Check the rejected stream for peas the buyer would accept as well as the retained stream for the unwanted material.

Have the retained sample assessed against the buyer's requirements. Compare the retained quantity and processing cost with the commercial result actually available. Use the assessed grade, retained quantity and buyer's actual offer to decide whether cleaning is worthwhile.

Contact METRA with the pea type, the material to be separated, photographs and your handling requirements. We can discuss airflow cleaner settings and a sample demonstration to show the collected fractions and retained output.