The Evaluation of a General Purpose Bale System Performance and Its Bale Quality

Abstract

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to develop a general purpose baler system that is appropriate for the domestic forage cultivation environment and operated by the medium size tractor for production of bale silage made of green forage crops, and to test its performance. Methods: In a first experiment, the time of formation per one bale and densities of bales that are produced from bale system, were measured. In a second experiment, power requirement was measured by a power measurement system manufactured during bale system work. Results: The power measurement system was constructed with strain-gage sensors to measure torque of a PTO axle and proximity sensor to measure rotating speed of a PTO axle. Thus, the power requirement was calculated by PTO torque and PTO rotating speed. For evaluation of bale quality, the samples of bales were analyzed for contents of moisture, ADF, NDF and TDN. Conclusions: If the results of this study will be utilized, the coefficient of utilization of agricultural machinery will be increased by the operation of a medium size tractor that is a major disseminated tractor in farm, and it will contribute tremendously to make a forage production base for livestock farms.