Development of an indented cylinder metering device for a tractor drawn manure spreader

Abstract

The research work was carried out to develop an indented cylinder metering device for a tractor drawn manure spreader capable of transporting, metering and uniform spreading of the manure in the farm. Materials of right strength and sizes for the equipment parts were determined and selected based on the design analysis and calculations carried out. Hopper, manure metering system, floor wheels, energy transfer system, machine frame and gear system are the main components of the machine. The equipment was tested using three factors; number of grooves, speed and the manure moisture contents while the response is spreading efficiency. The metering system used are 1, 2, 3 and 4 grooves, and the speed was varied at four levels of 8 km/hr, 13 km/hr, 18 km/hr, and 23 km/hr. The manure moisture content was varied at 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% (d.b). The test outcomes of the equipment using cow dung, the largest manure delivery efficiency of 82% was achieved from a velocity of 23 km/h using a metering cylinder with four grooves, whereas a minimum efficiency of 48% was achieved from a velocity of 8 km/h using a single groove metering cylinder. Also highest manure delivery efficiency of 85% was obtained from manure with 8% moisture content (db) while least efficiency of 63% moisture content was obtained from manure with 20% moisture content (db). The efficiency of manure delivery improved with both tractor speed and amount of metering groove but reduced with enhanced humidity content of manure. The three parameters therefore have important impacts on the efficiency of manure delivery. The throughput capacity of the equipment is 11 hectares per day. It is anticipated that the development of this equipment will decrease human drudgery, reduce accumulation of manure in the soil and improve application uniformity and enhance the productivity of the farmer.