The objectives of this study are to develop a mini tractor mounted clod crusher, to evaluate the performance of the developed machine and to work out economics of the machine.
In tillage tools used in India faces problem like, poor soil-tire interface, clod formation, compaction due to heavy traffic and timeliness in operation. Hence, it was planned to fabricate three different types of clod crusher and to evaluate its performance with clod crusher implements. To achieve this objective a prototype implement consisting of three different types of clod crusher cylinders’ like as square spike, round spike and spiral arrangement of spike were developed costing Rs. 7000/- per each cylinder. The newly developed implement was tested in field condition to evaluate its performance. Their performance results were analyzed in terms of tilling quality of soil and machine parameters. The effects of treatments on soil physical properties like soil bulk density, clod MWD were evaluated. Machine performance parameters like fuel consumption, field efficiency and cost of operation were also studied.
Better performance in terms of tilling quality of soil was obtained using clod crusher (square spike) attachment to cultivator. The optimum values of clod MWD, clod crushing field efficiency and fuel consumption were found 13.64 mm, 78.37 % and 7.02 lit/ha respectively. The operating cost were found 882, 1050 and 988 ₹/ha in square spike, round spike and spiral arrangement respectively. Using clod crusher attachment to cultivator a farmer can save more rupees against another implement which is used for seed bed preparation.
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
1.2 Tillage
1.2.1 The tillage operations
1.3 Loosening of Soil
1.4 Clod Formation
1.4.1 Clod size reduction
1.4.1 Clod sorting
1.5 Compaction and Consolidation
1.6 Smoothening
1.7 Practical Utility of the Research Problem
1.8 Objectives
II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Tillage and Seed Bed Preparation
2.2 Clod Crusher
2.3 Soil Physical Properties
2.3.1 Bulk density
2.3.2 Soil strength
2.3.3 Clod mean weight diameter
2.4 Frame
2.5 Economic Analysis
III. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Location of Experiment
3.2 Conceptual Design of Clod Crusher Attachment to Cultivator
3.2.1 Design consideration
(a) Assumptions considered in design
(b) General considerations
3.2.2 Assessment of draft and power requirement
3.2.3 Design of functional components of clod crusher attachment to cultivator
3.2.3.1 Design of clod crusher
3.3 Constructional Details
3.3.1 Cultivator
3.3.2 Clod crusher
3.3.2.1 Clod crusher with square spike
3.3.2.2 Clod crusher with round spike
3.3.2.3 Clod crusher with square spike of spiral arrangement
3.3.2.4 Window
3.4 Fabricated Clod Crusher Attachment to Cultivator
3.5 Experimental Procedure
3.5.1 Design of the experiment
3.5.2 Layout of experimental plot
3.5.3 Statistical Analysis
3.6 Climatic and Weather Condition
3.7 Soil Parameters
3.7.1 Moisture content of the soil
3.7.2 Bulk density of the soil
3.7.3 Clod mean weight diameter
3.8 Machine Performance Parameters
3.8.1 Depth and width of cut
3.8.2 Measurement of wheel slip
3.8.3 Field capacity
3.8.4 Theoretical field capacity
3.8.5 Effective field capacity
3.8.6 Field efficiency
3.8.7 Forward speed
3.8.8 Fuel consumption
3.8.9 Draft of implement
3.9 Economics of Clod Crushing Method
3.10 Cost of Operations
A. Fixed cost
a. Depreciation
b. Interest on investment
c. Taxes, housing, and insurance
B. Variable cost
IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Parameters Selected for the Study
4.1.1 Independent parameters
4.1.2 Dependent parameters
4.2 Field Testing
4.3 Field Parameter
4.3.1 Soil moisture content
4.3.2 Bulk density
4.4 Operating Parameter
4.4.1 Width of cut
4.4.2 Depth of cut
4.4.3 Speed of operation
4.4.4 Wheel slip during field operation
4.4.5 Draft requirement
4.5 Performance Parameter
4.5.1 Clod mean weight diameter
4.5.1.1 Effect of types of roller on clod mean weight diameter
4.5.1.2 Effect of weight of roller on clod mean weight diameter
4.5.1.3 Combined effect of types of roller and weight of roller on clod mean weight diameter
4.5.2 Fuel consumption
4.5.2.1 Effect of types of roller on fuel consumption
4.5.2.2 Effect of weight of roller on fuel consumption
4.5.2.3 Combined effect of types of roller and weight of roller on fuel consumption
4.5.3 Clod crushing field efficiency
4.5.3.1 Effect of types of roller on clod crushing field efficiency
4.5.3.2 Effect of weight of roller on clod crushing field efficiency
4.5.3.3 Combined effect of types of roller and weight of roller on clod crushing field efficiency
4.6 Economics of Clod Crushing Method
4.7 Economical Comparison of Clod Crushing Methods
V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusions
Objectives and Research Themes
The objective of this research is to develop and evaluate a mini tractor-mounted clod crusher attachment to improve seedbed preparation efficiency. The study focuses on mitigating issues like soil compaction and clod formation in Indian agricultural conditions by testing various roller configurations to achieve optimal soil pulverization and cost-effective operations.
- Design and fabrication of a prototype clod crusher with three distinct spike arrangements (square, round, and spiral).
- Evaluation of performance metrics including clod mean weight diameter (MWD), fuel consumption, and field efficiency.
- Analysis of the interaction between roller types and weight on soil physical properties and machine performance.
- Comparative economic analysis of different clod crushing methods to provide actionable recommendations for smallholder farmers.
Excerpt from the book
1.1 General
India is vast and agriculture-based country. It has covering about 3.29 million hectare geographical area and out of that about 166 million hectares is cultivable land. Net area sown is about 142 million hectares. The gross cropped area increased to about 189.5 million hectares. The farm holdings in India are classified as: (a) Marginal (< 1 ha), (b) Small (1-2 ha), (c) Semi medium (2-4 ha), (d) Medium (4-10 ha), (e) Large (> 10 ha). Agricultural mechanization refers to interaction of improved tools, implements and machines between farm workers and materials handled by them. More than 75 per cent farmers belong to marginal & small category, with more than 70 per cent area under rain fed crops. India has very promising farm machinery industry, producing yearly more than 2.5 lakh tractors, 10,000 power tillers, 4.5 lakh sprayers & dusters, 9.5 lakh pumping sets and 2000 combine harvesters. Due to simultaneous combination of tillage operations 10 h/ha of tractor operation can be reduced by combination of tillage tool as compared to conventional field preparation (Kumar and Manian, 1986).
Besides, other farm machinery population in India is estimated at about 150 million which includes about 3 million tractors and other self-propelled equipment’s. Farming operations need some type of power unit at the farm to operate machineries for: (a) Seed Bed Preparation, (b) Sowing, (c) Water Pumping, (d) Spraying, (e) Interculturing, (f) Harvesting, (g) Threshing and (h) Hauling work.
These operations demand tractive power to pull the implements, rotative power to drive attached equipment’s, pulley power to operate stationary machines and automotive power for transport work (Sahay, 2008).
Summary of Chapters
I. INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of agricultural mechanization in India, the necessity of efficient tillage for seedbed preparation, and the specific objectives of developing a clod crusher.
II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE: Reviews previous research on combined tillage tools, soil physical property management, and economic analysis methods relevant to clod crushing.
III. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Details the design, fabrication, and experimental procedures for testing three different types of clod crusher rollers mounted on a cultivator.
IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: Presents an analysis of field test results, including the effects of roller types and weights on clod MWD, fuel consumption, and field efficiency.
V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Summarizes the study’s findings and presents the final conclusion that the square-spike roller with 150 kg of weight is the optimal configuration.
Keywords
Tillage, Clod crusher, Performance, Spiked roller, Seedbed preparation, Soil bulk density, Field efficiency, Fuel consumption, Draft requirement, Mechanical tillage, Agricultural mechanization, Farm power, Soil pulverization, Economic analysis, Small farm holdings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the development and performance evaluation of a mini tractor-mounted clod crusher designed to improve seedbed preparation and reduce the time and energy required for tillage in Indian farming.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The study spans agricultural engineering, specifically soil-machine interaction, the design of tillage implements, performance testing under field conditions, and the economic assessment of mechanized farming practices.
What is the ultimate goal of the work?
The primary goal is to provide smallholder farmers with a cost-effective, efficient tool to manage clod formation, ultimately saving labor and energy while improving soil structure for better crop emergence.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The study used analytical design via Auto-CAD, field testing according to RNAM (Regional Network for Agricultural Machinery) test codes, and statistical analysis using a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with ANOVA to evaluate the performance parameters.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the conceptual design and fabrication of three types of clod crusher rollers (square spike, round spike, and spiral arrangement), experimental setup details, data collection on soil and machine parameters, and a comprehensive discussion of results.
How are the key findings characterized?
The work is characterized by its comparative approach, testing different spike designs and weights to determine the most effective combination for minimizing clod size and maximizing field efficiency.
How does the weight of the roller influence the performance of the clod crusher?
The experimental results demonstrate that increasing the roller weight to 150 kg significantly improves both clod size reduction (lower MWD) and field efficiency, proving that heavier rollers are more effective at breaking clods.
Why is the "Square Spike" design highlighted as the best performer?
The "Square Spike" design was found to provide the optimal balance between performance and cost. It demonstrated superior performance in terms of clod mean weight diameter (13.64 mm) and field efficiency (78.37%) compared to the round spike and spiral configurations.
What economic benefits does the developed implement offer to farmers?
By effectively crushing clods and reducing the need for multiple passes, the implement reduces operational costs (e.g., fuel and labor) compared to conventional methods like rotavators, making it a sustainable and affordable choice for small-scale farmers.
- Citar trabajo
- Chintan Ginoya (Autor), Dr. Rajvir Yadav (Autor), 2018, Development and Performance Evaluation of Mini Tractor Mounted Clod Crusher, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/463060
