DEVELOP AND EVALUATE SUGAR BEET TOPPER UNIT TO SUIT IN SMALL HOLDING

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is develop and evaluate a topper unit to suit small holding farms. Field experiment were carried out in Rice mechanization centers, Meet El–Deba, Kafr El–Shikh Governorate 2004 seasons. To evaluate the performance of the developed topper unit at different leveling methods (LASER and traditional), different forward speed (0.5, 0.75 and 1m/s) and different cutting disc speed (7.72, 12.54 and 16.72m/s), the Topping efficiency, technical topping efficiency, correct topped, over topped, under topped beets, topping losses, actual field capacity and field efficiency, were studied. The result indicated that increase speeds (topper forward speed & cutting disc speed) due to decrease both topping eff., technical topping eff., and correct topped beet. Hence, it is due to increase both under topped beet, over topped beet, topping losses, actual field capacity and field eff. at both leveling methods. Generally, the results recommended that topper unit can be used at LASER leveling land and speeds (0.5&7.72m/s)(1& 16.72 m/s) treatments. It was recorded highest values for topping eff. (97.39%), technical topping eff. (90.2%) correct topped beet (92.62%) at speeds (0.5&7.72m/s).On the other hand, it was recorded lowest value for undr topped beet (2.68%), over topped beet (4.7%) and topping losses (77.91kg/fed).Hence, the best value of actual field capacity (0.444 fed/h) and field eff.(86.4%) were recorded at speeds (1& 16.72 m/s). Leveling methods had high significant effect on topped and correct topped beet No. Meanwhile, topper forward speed had high significant effect on under topped beet.