Development of an improved tractor-mounted kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus) Harvester
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Date
2022
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Department of Agriculture Engineering, Faculty of Technology ,Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife , Nigeria.
Abstract
The study designed and fabricated an improved tractor-mounted device for kenaf harvesting; it evaluated the performance of the machine developed. It also developed mathematical models for the torque, power and energy for the machine; and validated the models developed. These were with a view to developing a kenaf harvesting technology which will improve kenaf production efficiency.
The tractor mounted kenaf harvesting machine has a rotary drive mechanism, which was adopted from a forage harvester. A review of the physical and mechanical properties of kenaf stem was made to ensure the accuracy of the design calculation for shaft, chain drive and gear design. The cutting blades, spur gears, bevel gears was designed and fabricated based on the design calculations. Performance evaluation of the machine was carried out at the kenaf experimental field set up at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm. The evaluation of the machine was carried out from 10 to 16 weeks after planting, at 2 weeks interval. The factors considered in the evaluation include; crop maturity, crop varieties and forward speed of the machine. The machine parameters which are constant machine values peculiar to the machine performance evaluation include width of cut, speed of operation, height of cut. The performance indices were theoretical field capacity, field efficiency, effective field capacity and operational loses. The results obtained was analysed using 3-level factorial response surface methodology (RSM) of design expert software. A mathematical model was developed to detemine the cutting behaviour of the machine when modelled as a fixed uniform cantilever. An equation to predict the cutting torque, power and energy requirement of the machine during operation was obtained and validated. The effective field capacity was observed to decrease with increase in plant maturity and increase with increase in forward speed of the machine. The highest effective field capacity recorded was 2.13 ha/day with Ifeken 100 at crop maturity of 10 weeks after planting, and forward speed was 5 km/hr. The field efficiency of the machine was found to decrease with increase in crop maturity, and forward speed of the machine. The highest field efficiency was 97%, with Ifeken 100, crop maturity of 10 weeks after planting, and at forward speed of machine of 2 km/hr. The duration of operation was also observed to increase with increase in maturity, and decreased slightly with increase in forward speed of machine. The highest duration of operation recorded was close to 9 hours, obtained when the crop maturity was 16 weeks after planting, during the harvesting of Ifeken di 400 and forward speed of 2 km/hr. Operatiional losses was observed to be uniform as the crop maturity increased, highest during the harvesting of Ifeken 100 and increased with increasing forward speed of the machine. The least operational losses recorded was 6.9% recorded when the plant maturity was 16 weeks after planting, during the harvest of Cuba 108 and when the forward speed of machine was 2 km/hr. There was good agreement between the predicted and experimental values of the cutting torque, power and energy requirement of the machine. The study concluded that with the current level of performance obtained for the machine in the research, it has the potential for inclusion in kenaf production operation.
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XXV, 241p
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Citation
AYORINDE,T.A (2022). Development of an improved tractor-mounted kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus) Harvester, Department of Agriculture Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile - Ife, Nigeria.