Theses

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 22

Open Access
Study on tillage-induced soil compaction using an embedded microprocessor based cone penetrometer
(CCSHAU, Hisar, 2023-02) Kumari Nisha; Upadhyay, Ganesh
Soil compaction is a major concern for agricultural field management which can either positively or negatively affects plant growth and crop yield. Measurement of compaction in terms of soil penetration resistance or cone index (CI) using a hand penetrometer requires more time and effort. Therefore, to reduce the human engagement, a tractor hydraulic assisted embedded microprocessor based penetrometer was developed to make the results easy to monitor and also decrease the human error. The developed penetrometer consisted of a driving system for pushing the penetrometer probe into the soil up to the desired depth at the desired speed, a sensor unit for measuring the force required to push the probe and depth of penetration, and a data logging system. The driving system consisted of a directional control valve and a double-acting hydraulic cylinder actuated by the tractor hydraulic system. A load cell was fitted between the cylinder and penetrometer rod to measure the penetration resistance. An ultrasonic sensor mounted beneath a circular plate fixed in the cylinder rod monitored the depth of penetration. A WiFi module helped to transmit the data to a developed Android mobile application through WiFi. The developed system was successfully able to measure a maximum soil penetration resistance of 5000 kPa up to a penetration depth of 500 mm. The embedded system of the penetrometer comprised various components such as Arduino Uno microcontroller, I2C, WiFi module, HX711 amplifier, 9 V battery etc. The acquired data also includes date/time parameters along with latitude and longitude locations picked up from the GPS system of the mobile. The performance of the developed embedded microprocessor based cone penetrometer was also assessed based on sensor performance characteristics such as accuracy, sensitivity, non-linearity, and non-repeatability. The average and maximum absolute variations in the cone index values measured with the developed system and a hand-held digital penetrometer were observed to be 22.50% and 25.13%, respectively. A study was also conducted to quantify the data regarding freshly induced soil compaction beneath the tillage working depth purely due to the tilling action of the active tillage machinery such as Rotavator, Power harrow, and PTO-operated disc tiller in terms of parameters such as cone index, bulk density, and porosity. The results of compaction study showed that the maximum soil compaction beneath the working depth (120-220 mm depth range) in terms of increment in soil CI and bulk density and decrement in soil porosity occur in treatment T1 (1 × rotavator) followed by treatments T4 (1 × cultivator + 2 × disc harrow), T3 (1 × PTO-operated disc tiller), and T2 (1 × power harrow).
Open Access
Development of an experimental plot corn harvester
(CCSHAU, Hisar, 2023-08) Mohit Kumar; Vijaya Rani
Maize is one of the most important cereal crop in the world next to rice and wheat. In India, the cultivated area of corn in 2020-2021 was 9.8 million hectare with an average productivity of 3199 kg ha-1 and in Haryana, it was six thousand hectares with an average productivity of 2.83 t ha-1. The scientist community viz. agronomist, soil scientist, breeders, are working on maize crop. The scientist laydown experiments on small plots which are to be harvested. In the experimental design, the plots are small and scientists demand for small corn harvester. However, for the scientific research, there is requirement of the machines for collection of data multiple times. Harvesting is one of the most crucial task in maize farming. Manual harvesting operations typically require 8 to 10 persons to pick cobs from one acre area between 8 and 10 h which is very costly, tedious and time consuming. Thus, this study was undertaken to develop an experimental plot corn harvester. The corn harvester was developed and constitutes of feeding cum snapping unit, corn cob collection bucket, power transmission unit and main frame. The power was transmitted from PTO of the power tiller to the chain-sprocket mechanism and the gear assembly which rotated the feeding cum snapping unit as per required rpm. The power tiller was operated as per speed required in experimental design. The corn stalk entered the feeding cum snapping unit smoothly and the cob was later snapped by the snapping roller after which the cob was collected in the collection bucket. It was evaluated under the operating parameters: three forward travel speed (0.47 km h-1-0.70 km h-1, 1.12 km h-1-1.60 km h-1 and 1.83 km h-1-2.27 km h-1 ), three level of inclination angle (00, 100 and 200) and three rotational speed of feeding cum snapping rollers ( 400 rpm, 500 rpm and 600 rpm ). The optimum parameters were obtained as forward travel speed 1.34 km h-1, rotational speed of feeding cum snapping rollers 500 rpm and inclination angle of feeding cum snapping unit zero degree. The Corn cob picking efficiency, cut corn cob percentage and corn cob damage percentage of corn harvester were 97 %, 1.27 % and 0.97 % respectively. Actual field capacity of the harvester was found 0.046 ha h-1 with field efficiency of 76.67 %. The cost of operation was Rs 7586.11 ha-1. Thus, it saved 77.78 % of labour requirement for harvesting in one hectare area in comparison to manual method of harvesting. The break-even point was found 90.93 h yr-1. The payback period was found 0.39 years and benefit cost ratio was 1.32.
Open Access
Performance evaluation of tractor drawn straw reaper for paddy straw
(CCSHAU, Hisar, 2019-08) Ujala; Saroha, Anil
Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the leading and widely cultivated cereal crops in the world. India has the world‟s largest area under rice with 43 million ha and is the second largest producer next only to China with production of 104 million tonnes during 2015-16. The productivity of rice was around 24q ha-1 during the agricultural year 2015-16 (Anonymous, 2017). The tractor drawn paddy straw reaper was evaluated at farmers field in Ludas village of Hisar district for optimization of machine parameters viz., cylinder speed (550, 750 and 950 rpm), forward speed (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 km h-1) and crop parameter viz., straw moisture content (20.4 to 49.5 %) in relation to field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, straw size, straw recovery and straw split percentage for paddy varieties Pusa-1121 and Pusa-44. For the paddy variety Pusa-1121 the field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption and power consumption at optimum conditions were 0.23 ha h-1, 66.37%, 5.33 l ha-1 and 21.82 kW, respectively. The straw size, straw recovery and straw split at optimum condition were 3.30 cm, 65.11 % and 89.11 %, respectively. Similarly for paddy variety Pusa-44, the field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption and power consumption at optimum conditions were 0.20 ha h-1, 59.45%, 5.67 l ha-1 and 23.70 kW, respectively. The straw size, straw recovery and straw split at optimum condition were 3.46 cm, 62.89 % and 86.23 %, respectively. Moisture content of 20.4-20.8 per cent, forward speed of 1.5 km h-1 and cylinder speed of 950 rpm was found optimum for paddy varieties Pusa-1121 and Pusa-44. The cost of operation was Rs 5190 ha-1and Rs 6112 ha-1 in Pusa-1121 and Pusa-44 variety, respectively. The machine was found economically feasible for the farmer‟s.
Open Access
Establishment of minimum performance standard of prominent agricultural machinery based on test reports
(CCSHAU, Hisar, 2019-09) Maan Singh; Jain, Mukesh
A study was conducted to establish minimum performance standard (MPS) of selected agricultural machinery based on test reports collected from Deptt. of FMPE, COAE&T and FMT&TI, Hisar. The data was collected for the analysis and MPS was formulated by frequency distribution using MS-Excel Add-In. To determine the mean of individual parameter, corresponding values of the most occurring frequency (about 50 % of the frequency) was only considered. The MPS suggested for tillage machinery are 6.50 cm, 14 cm, 0.23 ha h-1, 76 %, 3.0 l h-1, 77 %, 11 kW and 817 mm for min. depth of cut, min. depth of puddle, min. area covered per metre of working width, min. field efficiency, max. fuel consumption per metre of working width, min. puddling index, max. PTO power requirement per metre of working width and nominal closed length of drive shaft of rotavator; respectively. for disc harrow, 8 cm, 0.43 ha h-1, 70 %, 3.0 l h-1, 213 kg-f and 4.0 kW for min. depth of cut, min. area covered per metre of working width, min. field efficiency, max. fuel consumption per metre of working width, max. draft per metre working width and max. drawbar power per metre working width of disc harrow; respectively. for cultivator, 9 cm, 0.41 ha h-1, 75 %, 2.0 l h-1, 244 kg-f and 3.4 kW for min. depth of cut, min. area covered per metre working width, min. field efficiency, max. fuel consumption per metre working width, max. draft per metre working width and max. drawbar power per metre working width of cultivator, respectively. In sowing and planting machinery MPS suggested are 50 %, 6 & 8 cm, 6 & 8 cm, 5 & 10 mm, 0.12 %, 0.27 ha h-1, 71 %, 1.40 l h-1, 98 kg ha-1, 118 kg ha-1, 1.0 kW, 189 kg-f and ± 20 & ± 24 % for seeding uniformity, min. and max. depth of seed, min. and max. depth of fertilizer, min. and max. seed spacing, max. mechanical damage of seed, min. area covered per metre working width, min. field efficiency, max. fuel consumption per metre working width, min. seed rate, min. fertilizer rate, max .drawbar power per metre working width, max. draft per metre working width, max. variation in dropping of seed and fertilizer of zero till seed cum fertilizer drill, respectively and 8.5 & 9.0 cm, 8.5 & 10 cm, 30 & 40 cm, 0.24 ha h-1, 64 %, 0.60 l h-1, 1.7 kg ha-1, 53.8 kg ha-1, 0.80 kW, 71 kg-f and ± 0.60 & ± 0.80 % for min. and max. depth of seed, min. and max. depth of fertilizer, min. and max. seed to seed distance, min. area covered per metre working width, min. field efficiency, max. fuel consumption per metre of working width, min. seed rate, min. fertilizer rate, max. power drawbar per metre of working width, max. draft per metre of working width and max. variation in dropping of seed and fertilizer of Bt. cotton planter. Similarly, MPS have been suggested for other equipments/machinery like plant protection equipments, tractor operated VCR, straw reaper, paddy thresher and maize thresher. The MPS also includes safety and other requirements, material of construction etc. to be complied on.
Open Access
Ergonomic assessment and physiological cost analysis of power weeder
(CCSHAU, Hisar, 2019-08) Sonam; Jain, Mukesh
The experimental study on “Ergonomic assessment and physiological cost analysis of power weeder” was conducted in two crops i.e. cotton and sugarcane. The soil and environmental parameters were recorded at two different weeding intervals in cotton (40 days after sowing and 60 days after sowing) and sugarcane (30 days after sowing and 60 days after sowing) crop. The weeding efficiency and physiological parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature etc. was measured during the experiment. The machine parameters like actual field capacity and field efficiency were recorded. Physiological cost was estimated on the basis of Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) and Energy Expenditure Rate (EER). The maximum values of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were recorded to be 1.05 l/min and 1.09 l/min at forward speed of 2.09 km/h in cotton and sugarcane crop, respectively. The maximum energy expenditure rate (EER) was recorded at highest speed of operation i.e. 2.09 km/h and it was 22.8 kJ/min in cotton field and 21.9 kJ/min in sugarcane field. Vibration was highest at x-axis of left handle i.e. 13.3 m/s2 in cotton and 13.7 m/s2 in sugarcane at highest speed of operation i.e. 2.09 km/h. The highest weeding efficiency recorded was 82% (second weeding) in cotton and 87% (second weeding) in sugarcane. Total dust particle concentration was highest at maximum speed of operation. Particles ranging between 10 μm and 32 μm had highest concentration in the environment which was 14527.1 μg/m3 during weeding operation in cotton crop and 14894.7 μg/m3 in sugarcane crop which was more than the prescribed limit of 100 μg/m3 according to the standards given by National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of India. Noise level ranged between 62 dB to 74 dB and it was highest at highest speed i.e. 2.09 km/h. The maximum heart rate recorded during weeding operation was 156 beats per min in cotton field whereas in sugarcane field it was found 151 beats per min after 30 minutes of operation. The cost of operation was calculated to be Rs. 287 per hour and Rs. 2662 per hectare. The maximum body temperature attained during the experiment was found to be approx. 98.8 ºF in both the crop i.e. cotton and sugarcane. The maximum systolic blood pressure recorded was 134 mm/Hg in cotton and 135 mm/Hg in sugarcane crop at a forward speed of 2.09 km/h after 30 minutes of operation.
Open Access
Study on the effect of different types of nozzle for foliar application of urea solute
(CCSHAU, Hisar, 2019-07) Pawan Kumar; Patel, Bharat
Foliar application of urea solute is the most efficient practice of fertilizer application for maximum nitrogen uptake by plants. A study was conducted to see the effect of air induction nozzles for deposition of urea solute as a foliar application on cotton crop. The air induction nozzles where an internal venture creates a negative pressure inside the nozzle body. Air is drawn into the nozzle through two holes in the nozzle side, mixing with the spray liquid. The emitted spray contains large droplets filled with air bubbles (similar to a candy malt ball) and virtually no fine, drift-prone droplets. Three types of nozzle i.e. conventional solid cone nozzle, air induction hollow cone nozzle, air induction flat fan nozzle were used in the study. Nozzles were evaluated on patternator in laboratory at three different liquid pressure (3 kg/cm2, 4 kg/cm2 and 5 kg/cm2), three nozzle spacing (650 mm, 700 mm, 750 mm) and three nozzle height (530 mm, 545 mm and 560 mm). The maximum swath for two air induction flat fan nozzle 750 mm apart was observed as 1296 mm with 16.69% CV at a liquid pressure of 3 kg/cm2 and nozzle height of 560 mm. In case of air induction hollow cones nozzle the maximum swath was achieved as 1200 mm with 15.78% CV at nozzles spacing of 700 mm, liquid pressure 3 kg/cm2 and nozzle height 530 mm and for conventional solid cone nozzle with 12.70% CV maximum swath observed as 1104 mm for two nozzles at nozzle spacing of 700 mm, liquid pressure 3 kg/cm2 and nozzle height 530 mm. These nozzles were evaluated in field conditions for the combination of operating parameters at maximum swath with a minimum coefficient of variation (CV) to their effect in terms of spray deposition. Nozzles are evaluated in field on parameters finalised in laboratory. Number median diameter of air induction hollow cone nozzle and air Induction flat fan nozzle were significantly (p=0.00864) more as compared to knapsack nozzle and solid cone nozzle on the upper and bottom side of leaves at top, middle and bottom level of cotton plant and also NMD due to leaf position on cotton plant (p=0.00137) was significant at 5% level of significance. For VMD due to nozzle type is not significance at 5% level but for leaf position VMD is significant at 5%level. Air induction flat fan nozzle has lowest uniformity coefficient 2.63 among all the nozzles. Area covered by droplets in case of air induction flat fan nozzle was significantly (p=0.024) higher than air induction hollow cone nozzle, solid cone nozzle and knapsack sprayer nozzle at top, middle and bottom level on upper and under side leaves of plant canopy respectively at 5% level of significance. The statistical analysis showed that air induction flat fan nozzle was significantly (p=0.01406) higher volume of spray deposition than air induction hollow cone and conventional knapsack nozzle at 5% level of significance.
Open Access
Design, development and evaluation of straw combine suitable for both paddy and wheat crops
(CCSHAU, Hisar, 2020-06) Anil Kumar; Vijaya Rani
Residue burning is major problem in rice-wheat cropping system resulting in soil health deterioration, air pollution-induced human health issues, loss of biodiversity, diminishing farm profits etc. The problem can be solved by in-situ or ex-situ management methods but none of these methods can provide ease in residue management, and they need additional cost and management skills. Keeping in mind the above, the straw combine was designed and developed. The design of straw combine was based on physical, morphological and mechanical properties of paddy and wheat straw. The morphological analysis was done using FESEM machine and mechanical proerties were studied by using Texture analyzer. The straw combine consisted of cutter bar unit (reel and cutter bar), conveying unit (feeding auger and beater), chopping unit (chaffer cylinder, basket and concave), guiding unit (rotor and sieve), blowing unit (worm, blower/fan and deflector), frame and power transmission unit. The straw combine was evaluated at 3 levels of moisture content (5, 10, 15 % in wheat and 20, 35, 50 % in paddy), 3 levels of forward speed (1.7, 1.9, 2.1 km h-1) and 3 levels of cylinder speed (29.6, 31.4, 33.2 m s-1) for field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, chopping efficiency, straw split and straw size. The optimization of machine-crop parameters was done by using Multi Response Optimization (MRO) technique using desirability factor (DF). The optimal setting of machine-crop parameters in wheat straw was moisture content at 5 %, forward speed at 1.9 km h-1 and cylinder speed at 33.2 m s-1 which gaves maximum field capacity (0.32 ha h-1), field efficiency (75.04 %), chopping efficiency (99.50 %), straw split (99.28 %) and minimum straw size (13 mm) as well as fuel consumption (5.95 l h-1). The optimal setting of machine-crop parameters in paddy straw was moisture content at 20 %, forward speed at 1.9 km h-1 and cylinder speed at 33.2 m s-1 which gaves maximum field capacity (0.32 ha h-1), field efficiency (73.76 %), chopping efficiency (96.48 %), straw split (82.66 %) and minimum straw size (41.29 mm) as well as fuel consumption (6.13 l h-1). The economic analysis showed that payback period of the designed straw combine was 1.96 years if operated for 500 hours in a year (Wheat and Paddy). The result of Benefit: Cost ratio is more than unity (1.28) which indicated that investment in machine is economically viable. The straw combine designed and developed is farmer-friendly, economical and having options of removing or leaving full/partial residue from the field and works satisfactiry in both wheat and paddy straw.
Open Access
Performance evaluation of battery operated tractor
(CCSHAU, Hisar, 2021-08) Shinde, Vyankatesh Shankarrao; Jain, Mukesh
Farm mechanization is one of the most important elements of modernization of agriculture. Agricultural tractor is an integral part of agricultural mechanization and has a crucial role in increasing agricultural productivity. The diesel engine agriculture tractor requires fuel to produce energy, due to burning of fuel, it produce GHG which affect adversely on environment. Diesel engine tractor require periodical maintenance, emits high noise, produce more vibration. The increasing cost and limited resources of diesel fuel, increasing pollution, calls to use alternate energy source for agriculture tractor. Therefore, study, on performance evaluation of battery operated tractor was carried out. The present study was undertaken to assess the various performance tests like drawbar test, noise test, vibration test, field test, haulage test etc. and operating cost analysis of ET. The performance evaluation of the ET was conducted at NRFMTTI, Hisar. The maximum drawbar pull and drawbar power of ET with gross weight of 1005 kg were measured as 7.35 kN and 8.26 kW, respectively, with limiting wheel slip of 15 %. ET produces very low noise, and produces low level of vibrations during work, which will assure a nice working environment, without any negative effect on operator. The maximum noise produced at bystander’s position and at operator’s ear level was 73.3 dB (A) and 76.3 dB (A), respectively, which was 13.76 % and 20.52% lower against the maximum permissible limit of 85 dB (A) and 96 dB (A) as per IS 12207:2019. Noise was also measured during field operation with rotavator at bystander’s position and operator’s ear level which was measured as 73.9 dB (A) and 82.3 dB (A), respectively. The amplitude of mechanical vibration on ET was approximately 52 per cent less than the requirement of IS 12207:2019. The actual field capacity with rotavator and M B plough were 0.250 hah−1 and 0.125 hah−1, respectively with 82.38 and 92.05 per cent field efficiency. The battery power consumption during field operation with rotavator and M B plough was observed as 4.52 to 5.3 kWh−1 and 1.4 to 2.05 kWh−1, respectively. Specific battery energy consumption during haulage test was observed as 0.15 to 0.16 kWhkm−1t−1. During the haulage test, battery consumption per km was observed as 0.22 to 0.24 kWhkm−1. The cost of operation of electric tractor with rotavator was Rs 1324 per hectare and Rs 332 per hour.
Open Access
Effect of cryogenic treatment on the performance of straw combine blade.
(CCSHAU, Hisar, 2021-07) Jakhar, Chander; Kumar, Anil
The harvesting machines (combine, reaper and straw combine) are developed to overcome the shortage of labor and timely operations and also to facilitate the multi cropping sequence in India. The cutting blades are made up of high carbon steel having carbon content ranging from 0.60 to 1.00 percent. The carbon is the main element for higher strength and hardness of cutting steel blades. However, during cutting at high temperature and in abrasive environment, these cutting materials faces excessive surface degradation which ultimately reduces the life of the blade and increased cutting cost of the machine. In recent times the cryogenic treatments have positive effect to improve the wear resistance, hardness and life of the cutting tools. The present study was undertaken to improve the mechanical properties of cutter bar blade (A type) and chopping cylinder blade (M type) of straw combine with cryogenic treatment. For this, the laboratory testing was done in Tribology laboratory of NIT, KUK, Kurukshetra, whereas, field testing was done at farmers field in Ludas and Sahpur village of Hisar district. In laboratory experiment three replication of load (15, 20 and 25 N), time (150, 300 and 450 s) and sliding velocity (1.31, 2.61and 3.92 m s-1) were used for wear analysis. The wear analysis was done by using Pin on disc wear testing machine. The diameter and the length of the coated and uncoated high carbon steels specimens for testing were 10 and 35mm, respectively. In uncoated specimens, the wear was significantly affected by load followed by sliding velocity and time, whereas in coated specimen, the load was the only significant parameter to affect the wear properties of the specimens. The time and sliding velocity had negligible effect on the coated specimens. During field testing, the coated and uncoated blades were installed on the straw combine and operated for 38.33 hours. The wear of the blades was analyzed with respect to the weight and dimensions of the blades before and after work. The wear (%) in cutter bar and chopping cylinder blades for uncoated and coated were found as 2.82, 0.69 and 1.48, 0.41%, respectively. The cryogenic treatment resulted in increase of 9.38 and 13.61% cost of the cutter bar and chopping cylinder blades, respectively. This increased cost was fully justified by the increased cutter bar and chopping cylinder blade life by 75 and 72 %, respectively.

Theses

Browse

Thesis Type

Type

Author

Date

Subject

Search Results