A novel mechanical peeling process using an abrasive-cutter brush which applies both abrasive and cutting forces was modeled. An energy consumption model of the peeling process is required to optimize the main influential factors as well as to limit peeling waste and consumed energy. The input and output variables which could be industrially applicable were used. Three variables, namely rotational velocity of the abrasive-cutter brush (omega(p)), the degree of unevenness of produce surface (phi), and the type of the abrasive-cutter brush (lambda), were chosen as independent variables and the "peeling losses" per unit time was selected as the output of the model. The developed model was verified using the experimental results of peeling by an abrasive-cutter brush for two varieties of pumpkin, as the case studies, named Jarrahdale and Jap. The results showed correlation coefficients between predicted and experimental values of the Jap (0.98) and Jarrahdale (0.96) were statistically significant. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.