Increase In Forward Speed Research Articles

Modification and Evaluation of Commercially Available Sugarcane Trench Planter for Its Application Under Punjab Conditions

Present research was conducted to modify and evaluate commercially available tractor-operated sugarcane trench planter available in Uttar Pradesh as per needs of local conditions prevailing in Punjab for sugarcane cultivation. Prominent modifications included alteration in shape of soil-covering unit and installation of safety grate. During preliminary evaluation, effect of three cutting roller(s) peripheral speeds (0.69 m/s, 0.81 m/s and 0.93 m/s) and three forward speeds (2.26 km/h, 2.6 km/h and 3.0 km/h) was assessed on three popular varieties of sugarcane (Co0118, CoPb93 and CoJ-85) for cane length, cane diameter, sett length, bud damage (%), number of sett cut and sett damage (%). Thereafter, the field evaluation of modified sugarcane trench planter was carried out by selecting one cutting roller(s) peripheral speed (0.69 m/s) and two forward speeds (2.26 km/h and 3.0 km/h) on above varieties. The selected dependent variables were cane length, cane diameter, sett length, bud damage (%), sett damage (%), overlap/gap and germination (%). Results revealed that average sett length increased with the decrease in diameter of cane and cutting roller peripheral speed. However, bud damage (%) increased with the increase in cutting roller peripheral speed. Bud damage (%) in variety Co0118 was higher due to relatively more toughness (hardness) of cane. Average overlapping decreased with the increase in forward speed. Practically, no sett damage was observed in the study. It was found that germination (%) of cane planted by machine was more than the conventional planting. Average germination on 45 DAP (days after planting) on left and right side of trench in different varieties, viz. Co0118, CoPb93 and CoJ-85, were 50.71%, 43.00%, 48.50% and 48.11%, 38.68%, 43.15%, respectively. Economic analysis showed that there was 25.01% reduction in cost of planting and 58.02% reduction in labour cost as compared to conventional method of sugarcane planting followed under Punjab conditions.

EVALUATION OF SOME PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR THE TRACTOR (CASE JX75T)

The experiments were conducted on farm of the Agriculture College, University of Basrah, in a silty clay soil with moisture content of 16%. The tractor used in this research was (CASE JX75T) tractor for studying and evaluating its agricultural performance. The parameters of study include three level of tillage depths (10, 15 and 20 cm) and four forward speeds (G=1.9, G= 2.44, G3= 3.25 and G= 4.33 km/h) by using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split plots. The results showed that the increase in forward speed from (1.9 - 4.33km/hr) led to a significant increased in drawbar pull and wheel slippage by the following percentages (33.33%-15.78%).The obtained results for the range of tests showed that the maximum effective field capacity 2.52 donum/h was obtained at 4.33 km/h travelling speed, while the fuel consumption 7.9 l/hr, required power 29.66 kW, and specific energy 19 kw.hr/don. Respectively the traveling speed and soil moisture , ploughing depth , the most important factors that affecting the effective field capacity and drawbar pull, fuel consumption, specific energy.

Prognostication of energy indices of tractor-implement utilizing soft computing techniques

Energy indices (energy requirement for tillage implement (ERTI) and tractor overall energy efficiency (TOEE)) of tractor-implement during tillage operations were aimed to be investigated in this study. To generate a new comprehensive model, the effects of forward speed at three levels (2, 4 and 6 km/h) and plowing depth at three levels (10, 20 and 30 cm) on energy indices were experimentally evaluated. Two soft computing techniques, artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), were employed to prognosticate energy indices. Comparison between the best developed structure of each soft computing technique demonstrated that one comprehensive ANN model was preferred than two individual ANFIS models. According to the ANN prognostication results, simultaneous increase of forward speed from 2 to 6 km/h along with plowing depth increment from 10 to 30 cm led to nonlinear increment of the ERTI and TOEE from 33.87 to 122.66 MJ/ha and 4.65 to 17.85%, respectively. Moreover, interaction of forward speed and plowing depth on energy indices was congruent. Development of comprehensive ANN model now makes it possible to answer fundamental questions in domain of the effect of plowing depth and forward speed on energy indices of tractor-implement that were previously intractable. Hence, to properly manage energy indices and reduce energy dissipation of tractor-implement, application of the new developed ANN model is strongly recommended.

On the neurocomputing based intelligent simulation of tractor fuel efficiency parameters

Tractor fuel efficiency parameters (TFEPs) (fuel consumption per working hour (FCWH), fuel consumption per tilled area (FCTA) and specific volumetric fuel consumption (SVFC)) were intelligently simulated. A neurocomputing based simulation strategy (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)) was used to simulate the TFEPs. A comparison was also made between results of the best ANFIS environment and those of another neurocomputing based simulation strategy, artificial neural network (ANN). Field experiments were conducted at plowing depths of 10, 20 and 30 (cm) and forward speeds of 2, 4 and 6 (km/h) using a disk plow implement. Statistical descriptor parameters applied to evaluate simulation environments indicated that the best simulation environment of both ANFIS and ANN were able to perfectly predict the TFEPs. However, the best comprehensive ANN simulation environment with a simple architecture of 2-6-3 was easier to use than three individual ANFIS simulation environments. The ANN results revealed that simultaneous increase of forward speed from 2 to 6 (km/h) and plowing depth from 10 to 30 (cm) led to nonlinear increment of the FCWH from 5.29 to 14.89 (L/h) and nonlinear decrement of the SVFC from 2.95 to 0.67 (L/h kW). Meanwhile, forward speed increment along with plowing depth decrement resulted in nonlinear decrement of the FCTA from 28.13 to 12.24 (L/ha). Interaction of forward speed and plowing depth on the FCWH and SVFC was congruent, while it was incongruent for the FCTA. It is suggested to employ the ANN environment in developing future fuel planning schemes of tractor during tillage operations.

Development of stripper harvester for paddy

Konkan is the coastal part of Maharashtra between Western Ghat and Arabian seacoast. Rice is a major crop grown over 3.86 lakh hectares. Stripper harvesting technology, which strips only seeds and keeps straw erect-ed in the field present bright prospect for the development of small, light, efficient mechanism by reducing number of operation with increased capacity and lesser power compared to conventional cutter bar combine harvester. The big machines like combine harvester and high capacity threshers for harvesting and threshing have limitations. A proto-type of paddy stripper harvester was developed considering the limitation of Konkan like small, fragmented land, hilly, terrace farming and high rainfall. It consisted of stripping mechanism, grain tank, hydraulic system, steering system, gear box, engine, cage wheel and chassis. The arrangement of V-belt and set of pulleys were made to transmit power from gear box to stripper rotor. The effect of forward speed and peripheral speed on shattered and un-stripped grain loss was studied. The shattered grain loss was decreased with increase in forward speed whereas decreased initially and then increased with increase in peripheral speed. The un-stripped grain loss was decreased with increase in forward and peripheral speed. The performance of the developed prototype was found better at forward speed of 2.25 km/h and peripheral speed of 19.78 m/s. During final testing of prototype, shattered and un-stripped grain loss was found 5.95 and 1.89 %, respectively. The average field capacity and field efficiency of paddy stripper harvester machine was found 0.14 ha/h and 69.38 per cent respectively.

Development and evaluation of electronically controlled precision seed-metering device for direct-seeded paddy planter

An electronic experimental set-up was developed to evaluate three seed-metering mechanisms, viz. slanting, semi- circular and rectangular shape for three paddy varieties and to investigate the influence of the selected levels of variables, viz. forward speed, cell shape and inclination of seed-metering plate on performance parameters of seed- metering. Mean seed spacing, miss index and seed damage were found to increase with increase in forward speed and angle of inclination while multiple index decreased with increase in forward speed and angle of inclination for all metering plates tested. Precision decreased with increase in forward speed and with increase in angle of inclination, it increased initially up to optimum value and then decreased. The mean seed spacing of 14.8 cm close to theoretical seed spacing of 15 cm, highest quality feed index of 88.1%, lowest miss index of 6.1% and minimum seed damage of 0.38% were observed in slanting type metering plate at an angle of 35º with the horizontal and at a forward speed (belt speed) of 2 km/h. Hence, for design of precision paddy planter, the optimum parameters, like slanting type metering plate with angle of inclination 35º and forward speed of 2 km/h can be used to achieve best results.

小型高速旅客船の不規則向波中上下加速度に関する研究

Recently, the maximum speed of small passenger craft is increasing. In case of the craft, the encounter wave period becomes shorter with increase of forward speed, and very large upward vertical acceleration is caused when its bow goes into the water surface. It is known that it causes not only bad ride comfort but also failure of hull or injury of passengers in some cases.

Development of mechatronic driving system for seed meters equipped on conventional precision corn planter

Precision planters are more and more widely used for planting corn in China. Seed meters of conventional precision corn planters are usually driven by ground wheel and chain and sprocket system at present. Because of the slippage of ground wheels and vibration of chains, planting accuracy cannot be ensured, especially at higher forward speed. To improve the planting performance of precision planters, a mechatronic driving system was designed and its field working performance was evaluated in this research. A two-row pneumatic precision planter was modified to allow simultaneously using two different driving systems, i.e, with one row unit equipped with the newly designed mechatronic driving system and the other row unit equipped with conventional mechanical driving system, and used for planting at three forward speeds (9, 11 and 12 km/h) on no-tillage and rotary-tillage lands. The distances between adjacent seeds in each plot were measured and the indices of uniformity in seed spacing, quality of feeding index(QFI), missing-seeding index and precision index were analyzed. With the average 4.70% increase of QFI and 3.54% decrease of missing-seeding index, the mechatronic driving system performed better than the mechanical driving system both on no-tillage and rotary-tillage lands at each forward speed. The values of QFI, missing-seeding index and precision index of the mechatronic driving system on rotary-tillage land are comparable to those on no-tillage land, by contrast, these indices of the mechanical driving system on rotary-tillage land are significantly worse than those on no-tillage land. The result indicates that the mechatronic driving system can eliminate the effect of ground wheel slippage on planting quality and maintain the uniformity of seed distribution. Although the QFI, missing-seeding index and precision index become worse with the increase of forward speed, with the worst values of QFI of 89.93%, missing-seeding index of 5.08% and precision index of 18.92% at the highest forward speed of 12 km/h, the mechatronic driving system can reduce the effect of forward speed on planting accuracy effectively. The result indicates that planters equipped with the mechatronic driving system are suitable for high speed planting. As compared to the mechanical driving system, the advantage of the mechatronic driving system is more noticeable especially when the forward speed is more than 11 km/h. Keywords: precision planter, seed meter, mechatronic driving system, control, motor, wheel slippage DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20150804.1717 Citation: Yang L, He X T, Cui T, Zhang D X, Shi S, Zhang R, et al. Development of mechatronic driving system for seed meters equipped on conventional precision corn planter. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2015; 8(4): 1－9.

Design, development and field assessment of a controlled seed metering unit to be used in grain drills for direct seeding of wheat

A new controlled seed metering unit was designed and mounted on a common grain drill for direct seeding of wheat (DSW). It comprised the following main parts: (a) a variable-rate controlled direct current motor (DCM) as seed metering shaft driver, (b) two digital encoders for sensing the rotational speed of supplemental ground wheel (SGW) and seed metering shaft and (c) a control box to handle and process the data of the unit. According to the considered closed-loop control system, the designed control box regularly checked the revolution per minute (RPM) of seed metering shaft, as operation feedback, using its digital encoder output. The seeding rate was determined based on the calculated error signal and output signal of the digital encoder of the SGW. A field with four different levels of wheat stubble coverage (10%, 30%, 40% and 50%) was selected for evaluation of the fabricated seed metering unit (FSMU). The dynamic tests were conducted to compare the performance of installed FSMU on the grain drill and equipped grain drill with common seed metering unit (CSMU) at three forward speeds of 4, 6 and 8 (Km/h) for DSW. Results of the FSMU assessment demonstrated that an increase in forward speed of grain drill (FSGD) and stubble coverage did not significantly affect the seeding rate in the grain drill for DSW. Using the FSMU reduced the coefficient of variation (CV) by approximately 50%. Consequently, applying the FSMU on the common grain drill led to a desirable seeding rate at different forward speeds of the grain drill and stubble existence.

Perdas qualitativas na colheita mecanizada de sementes de soja

The study aimed to assess the physical and physiological characteristics of soybean seeds collected in grain tank and the outlet of the discharge tube of the harvester, depending on the year and the forward speed of the harvester. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 2 x 2 x 2 tested two harvesters of different years, two displacement’s speeds and two locations of sample collection, totaling eight treatments with four replications. The harvest of soybean cultivar soybean cv. COODETEC 217, was performed with two tangential harvesters, aged three and four years, with 900 rpm rotation of the cylinder, operating at forward speeds of 4 ± 0.5 km h-1 and 7 ± 0.5 km h-1. Seed samples (approximately 3 kg) were withdrawn at the grain tank and the outlet of the discharge tube of the harvester and subjected to determinations of water content in field and laboratory. Subsequently, we evaluated purity, mechanical damage, germination and seed vigor. The younger harvester had a higher percentage of pure seed and lowest percentage of inert material. The increase in forward speed provides the higher the bands percentage and reduction of percentages of pure seed and inert material. The percentage of inert material was higher for seeds collected in the discharge pipe. The speed increase has positively influenced the emergence in sand for the harvester oldest (4 years) and negatively to the harvester youngest (3 years). At lower speeds the youngest harvester higher percentage of germination in sand.

Biomechanics of spontaneous overground walk-to-run transition

The purpose of the present study was to describe the biomechanics of spontaneous walk-to-run transitions (WRTs) in humans. After minimal instructions, 17 physically active subjects performed WRTs on an instrumented runway, enabling measurement of speed, acceleration, spatiotemporal variables, ground reaction forces and 3D kinematics. The present study describes (1) the mechanical energy fluctuations of the body centre-of-mass (BCOM) as a reflection of the whole-body dynamics and (2) the joint kinematics and kinetics. Consistent with previous research, the spatiotemporal variables showed a sudden switch from walking to running in one transition step. During this step there was a sudden increase in forward speed, the so-called speed jump (0.42 m s(-1)). At total body level, this was reflected in a sudden increase in energy of the BCOM (0.83±0.14 J kg(-1)) and an abrupt change from an out-of-phase to an in-phase organization of the kinetic and potential energy fluctuations. During the transition step a larger net propulsive impulse compared with the preceding and following steps was observed due to a decrease in the braking impulse. This suggests that the altered landing configuration (prepared during the last 40% of the preceding swing) places the body in an optimal configuration to minimize this braking impulse. We hypothesize this configuration also evokes a reflex allowing a more powerful push off, which generates enough power to complete the transition and launch the first flight phase. This powerful push-off was also reflected in the vertical ground reaction force, which suddenly changed to a running pattern.

Buğday hasadında kullanılan klasik ve yolucu hasat baslıklarının performans karsılastırması

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of conventional and stripping headers, which can be an alternative for cereal harvesting, in terms of technical and management aspects. For this purpose, grain looses, TA R IM B IL IM LE R I D ER G IS I     J O U R N A L O F A G R IC U LT U R A L SC IE N C ES 1 6 (2 01 0) 2 42 -2 53 Bugday Hasadinda Kullanilan Klasik ve Yolucu Hasat Basliklarinin Performans Karsilastirmasi, Say et al T a r i m B i l i m l e r i D e r g i s i – J o u r n a l o f A g r i c u l t u r a l S c i e n c e s 16 (2010) 242-253 243 effective field capacity and fuel consumption values of both two headers were determined. Field tests were conducted based on split plots in randomized blocks that header (conventional and stripping), forward speed (5, 7 and 9 km h) and moisture content of grain (11 and 16%) were chosen as independent variables. It was obtained that the forward speed and the moisture content were effective on grain looses and fuel consumption statistically (P<0.01). In harvest with conventional header at 5 km h forward speed, total grain looses and fuel consumption were 0.79%, 10.4 l ha and 0.71%, 12.2 l ha for 11 and 16% moisture contents, respectively. Total grain looses decreased with increase in forward speed and moisture content in harvesting with stripping header. For stripping header, total grain looses ranged between 1.11-0.86% and 0.82%-0.59 for 11% and 16% moisture contents, respectively. Fuel consumption decreased with increasing forward speed, but it increased with increasing moisture content. These values varied from 6.4 to 8.0 l ha for high moisture content and varied from 7.6 to 8.8 l ha for low moisture content. Comparing the conventional header at ideal forward speed (5 km h) with the stripping header at highest forward speed (9 km h), it was found that the total losses were almost same for both two headers, the effective capacity was 153% higher and the fuel consumption was 32% less for stripping header.

Metabolic cost and subjective assessment during operation of a rotary tiller with and without an operator's seat

The acceptance of the power tiller among the Indian farmers has not reached the level expected at the time of its introduction. This is primarily because of the drudgery involved in its operation. An operator has to walk behind the machine for a distance of 15–20 km to rotatill a hectare of land once. To overcome the problem, an operator's seat was developed as an attachment to popular Indian brands of power tiller. This study was conducted to quantify the reduction in drudgery due to provision of an operator's seat on a rotary power tiller by measuring metabolic cost and psychophysical assessment. Heart rate and oxygen consumption rate of the subjects were measured at three levels of forward speed under actual field conditions using an ambulatory metabolic measurement system. Overall discomfort rating was assessed subjectively on a 10-point visual analogue discomfort scale. Mean heart rate and oxygen consumption rate varied from 81.7 to 87.6 beats/min and 0.45 to 0.50 l/min, respectively, with increase in forward speed from 0.28 to 0.62 m/s with the operator's seat. Without the operator's seat, the heart rate and oxygen consumption rate varied from 94.9 to 108.0 beats/min and 0.54 to 0.70 l/min, respectively, with increase in forward speed from 0.29 to 0.63 m/s. Mean overall discomfort rating varied from 0.5 to 1.5 with the operator's seat and from 1.5 to 3.0 without the operator's seat. Thus, human energy expenditure during operation of the power tiller varied from 9.40 to 10.44 kJ/min with the operator's seat and from 11.28 to 14.62 kJ/min without the operator's seat. It was observed that the attachment of an operator's seat to power tiller reduced human energy expenditure by 16.7–28.6%. On the basis of physiological responses, the rotatilling operation by power tiller with and without operator's seat was classified as light and moderate work, respectively. It was concluded that the provision of an operator's seat on the power tiller reduces the drudgery of operator. Relevance to industry This study emphasizes the need to attach an operator's seat to power tillers to reduce drudgery of operators during the rotatilling operation. This may increase work output on a per day basis, which may ultimately increase the adoption of power tillers by more farmers.

Soil disturbance and force mechanics of vibrating tillage tool

Experiments were conducted with vibrating tillage tools in a sandy loam soil. It was observed that during oscillating operation, initially draft increased slightly with an increase in forward speed but later it decreased. For the non-oscillating operation, draft increased continuously with increase in forward speed. The ratio of draft from oscillating to non-oscillating mode varied from 0.63 to 0.93. The total power required for oscillating operation was 41–45% more than the power required for non-oscillating operation. The soil surface was cracked due to tool motion showing the characteristics of lifting up of soil clods during the oscillating operation, whereas it showed the characteristics of soil flow during non-oscillating operation. The soil was pulverized more due to oscillating than non-oscillating operation. The reduction in dry bulk density of soil mass in the oscillating operation was about 70–270% more than that during the non-oscillating mode.

An investigation into the power requirements of an experimental Wye Double Digger

A series of experiments were carried out to determine the factors affecting the power requirements of the Wye Double Digger. The variables were: rotor speed, which varied between 94 and 242rev/min; forward speed, which varied between 1·8 and 5·1 km/h; and rotor configuration, that is, using 16 and 24 straight-shank blades and 12 pick tines. The experiments showed that there was an increase in p.t.o. power with an increase in either rotor or forward speed. Draught power increased with forward speed and the total power requirements increased with both an increase in forward and rotor speed. However, the total specific energy requirements (kWh/ha) increased with an increase in rotor speed but fell with an increase in forward speed. The straight shank blades used up to 50% more power than the pick tines.

Sorting action of tines and tine-like tools in the field

The particle sorting and throwing action of tines and tine-like tools was compared in both the field and the laboratory. The laboratory model experiments were mostly carried out using glass spheres. In the field, particle properties, such as size, shape, surface roughness and apparent density, were more varied and handling factors, such as soil moisture content and travelling speed, were at higher levels than during the model experiments. Nevertheless, the findings in the field could be largely explained from the results obtained from the model experiments. Effects occurring during seedbed preparation, such as the incorporation of seeds, fertilizers and granulated chemicals and various methods of mechanical weed control, were considered. Sorting intensity increased with an increase in the variation of particle properties, with a decrease in moisture content of the bulk solid involved, with more forward facing and wider tines and with a decrease in forward speed. Throwing increased with an increase of forward speed, working depth and tool width.

The cat step cycle: hind limb joint angles and muscle lengths during unrestrained locomotion.

The cat step cycle: hind limb joint angles and muscle lengths during unrestrained locomotion.

Physiological extent, range and rate of muscle stretch for soleus, medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior in the cat.

To provide information on the potential stresses imposed on muscle receptors by natural movements, a cinematographic analysis was undertaken of the unrestrained walking, trotting, galloping, jumping and landing movements of 11 adult cats. Appropriate lever arm measurements were also made on 50 freshly displatched cats such that instantaneous representative lengths of soleus, medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior could be calculated. Use was made of a previous electromyographic analysis of hind limb muscles during unrestrained locomotion (Engberg, 1964; Engberg and Lundberg, 1969) and consideration given to recordings made by Severin, Shik and Orlovskii of the discharge of dorsal and ventral root filaments supplying ankle extensors during controlled walking of the high decerebrate cat (1967a and b). This approach revealed that locomotor movements involve 3 basic patterns of muscle displacement for the ankle extensors: a large near-static stretch that is alpha-gamma passive (as occurs in crouching); a large dynamic stretch that is also alpha-gamma passive (as occurs in the F phase of the step and after launch-off in the jump); and another dynamic stretch which involves co-activation of alpha and gamma systems and becomes extensive with an increase in forward speed (as occurs in the E2 phase of the step and during landing). There is discussion of the simulation of locomotor type stretch for ankle extensors and the more complex behaviour of tibialis anterior.