Mechanical groundnut thresher for farmers in Malaysia

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) is one of the most important cash crops in Malaysia. Its production is on the rise. In certain rice growing areas, where double-cropping is not practiced, groundnut is the most popular off-season crop. The harvesting operation in the groundnut production process demands a substantial amount of labor when done manually. The agricultural sector in the country is currently facing an impending labor shortage due to the industrialization process which is being carried out by the Government. This labor shortage has caused a strain on the supply of labor during the harvesting period in groundnut production in the country. To overcome this problem, mechanization is being introduced in the country

Efficient machinery selection for agricultural operations in a plantation.

The application of machines to agricultural production has been one of the outstanding development in Malaysian agriculture during the past decades. Proper selection and use of agricultural machinery could have a significant effect in accelerating the agricultural development in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to present an analytical procedure which could be used by a plantation manager for the problem of selecting agricultural equipment. The economic selection of filed equipment has the advantages of more efficient power use,labour savings,greater timeliness for critical operations,reduction of production costs,improved quality and also encourages better management. The procedure presented can be used to determine the optimum economic size for field implement. The concept in the procedure is first to determine the total annual cost of using the implement as a function of its size. The optimum size is then determined by obtaining the minimum cost point through differentiation. An example for a hypothetical situation is also presented to illustrate the use of the procedure

Empirical Models for Power and Energy Requirements II : A Powered Implement Operation in Serdang Sandy Clay Loam, Malaysia

Power and energy requirements were measured with an instrumented tractor for rotary tilling in Serdang sandy clay loam soil.  The effects of travel speed and rotor speed upon the measured data were investigated.  Power model from orthogonal regression analysis was formulated based on linear and quadratic functions of travel speed and bite length.  Fuel consumption model from regression analysis was formulated based on linear tractor PTO power as well as linear equivalent tractor PTO power.  Fuel consumption rates predicted by ASAE D497.3 were found to be 25% to 28% overestimates of the values predicted by the model developed.  However, fuel consumption rates reported by OECD Tractor Test were found to be 1% to 9% lower than the fuel consumption rates predicted by the model developed.  A comparison of power and energy requirements for both powered and draught implements showed that the disk harrow was the most energy efficient implement in terms of fuel consumption and specific energy followed by the rotary tiller, disk plough and mouldboard.  Finally, average PTO power, fuel consumption, wheel slip, wheel power and specific energy for a powered implement are presented

Design and Development of A Three-Point Auto Hitch Dynamometer for An Agricultural Tractor

This paper describes the design, development and calibration of a three-point auto hitch dynamometer for measuring the horizontal and vertical forces that existed at the three-point hitch of an agricultural tractor.  The design concept of the dynamometer was based on an instrumented inverted U frame assembly that was mounted between tractor links and implement. The design incorporates for both lower point hitch spread and mast height adjustments, and quick hitch capability in accordance with category 1 and II three-point hitch system.  The force sensing elements were comprised of three steel extended octagonal ring transducers that were located between the inverted U frame and hook brackets.  Electrical resistance strain gauges were mounted on the extended octagonal ring transducer at strain angle nodes to independently monitor strains that were proportional to the horizontal and vertical forces at the ring center. Each transducer was designed for maximum horizontal and vertical forces of 25 kN and 10 kN at measurement mean sensitivities of 25.19 µStrain/kN and 25.60 µStrain/kN, respectively. However, the complete dynamometer has been designed to measure the maximum resultant horizontal and vertical forces of 50 kN and 20 kN, respectively.  Field demonstration tests on the dynamometer and data acquisition system showed that they were able to function effectively as intended.  The data acquisition system was able to successfully scan and record the dynamometer signals as programmed.  This dynamometer was part of the complete instrumentation system to be developed onboard a Massey Ferguson 3060 tractor for the generation of a comprehensive database on the power and energy requirements of the tractor and its working implement in the field