Prototype: A Ridge Profle Mechanical Power Weeder.

Abstract

Weeding is one of most important operation in crop cultivation. Although, there are several methods are available of mechanical weeding, but weeding operation poses a special problem in ridge planted crop. Therefore, to address this problem a ridge profile power weeder was developed with 2.20 kW petrol-start kerosene-run engine and evaluated for its performance in terms of weeding efficiency, plant damage percentage and field capacity. Weeder comprised of main frame, handle, cutting blades, rotor shaft, belt and pulley, engine and ground wheel. Experiments were conducted at three different levels of each parameter viz, soil moisture content (15.26 ±0.96, 12.42 ±0.52 and 9.44 ±0.68%), blade types (Ltype, C-type and Flat-type) and gang speed (160, 180 and 200 rpm). Results revealed that, C-type blades were most suitable at gang speed of 200 rpm and 15.26 ±0.96% (d.b) soil Weeding is one of most important operation in crop cultivation. Although, there are several methods are available of mechanical weeding, but weeding operation poses a special problem in ridge planted crop. Therefore, to address this problem a ridge profile power weeder was developed with 2.20 kW petrol-start kerosene-run engine and evaluated for its performance in terms of weeding efficiency, plant damage percentage and field capacity. Weeder comprised of main frame, handle, cutting blades, rotor shaft, belt and pulley, engine and ground wheel. Experiments were conducted at three different levels of each parameter viz, soil moisture content (15.26 ±0.96, 12.42 ±0.52 and 9.44 ±0.68%), blade types (Ltype, C-type and Flat-type) and gang speed (160, 180 and 200 rpm). Results revealed that, C-type blades were most suitable at gang speed of 200 rpm and 15.26 ±0.96% (d.b) soil Weeding is one of most important operation in crop cultivation. Although, there are several methods are available of mechanical weeding, but weeding operation poses a special problem in ridge planted crop. Therefore, to address this problem a ridge profile power weeder was developed with 2.20 kW petrol-start kerosene-run engine and evaluated for its performance in terms of weeding efficiency, plant damage percentage and field capacity. Weeder comprised of main frame, handle, cutting blades, rotor shaft, belt and pulley, engine and ground wheel. Experiments were conducted at three different levels of each parameter viz, soil moisture content (15.26 ±0.96, 12.42 ±0.52 and 9.44 ±0.68%), blade types (Ltype, C-type and Flat-type) and gang speed (160, 180 and 200 rpm). Results revealed that, C-type blades were most suitable at gang speed of 200 rpm and 15.26 ±0.96% (d.b) soil moisture content with average weeding efficiency, plant damage, actual field capacity of 83.93%, 1.77%, and 0.066 ha h-1, respectively. The total estimated cost of machine was Rs. 27,600 ($460) and its cost of operation was Rs. 640/- per ha. The saving in cost of operation was 88.3% as compared to manual weeding (Rs. 5,470). Time saving with ridge profile power weeder as compared to manual weeding was 93.93%. The ridge profile power weeder had a breakeven point at 179.38 h yr-1 with a payback period of 2.74 years.