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Improvement of the Seed Metering Device of Power Tiller Operated Zero Till Drill

M. S. Hossen
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

A. A. Musabbir
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. M. Hossain
Professor
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. Z. Hasan
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. A. Islam
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was carried out in wheat research center, BARI under financial assistance of CIMMYT for the improvement of seed metering device of a power tiller operated zero till drill planter. Fluted roller type seed metering device was replaced by the inclined plate type seed metering device. Field experiments revealed that field efficiency was 80.19% and seed damage was completely absent in the improved metering device. Further cost analysis showed saving of 280 Taka ha^-1 planting cost, which proves success of the improvement.

Keywords: Zero tillage, Seed drill, Inclined plate type, Fluted roller type, Metering device

Location: Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Power Tiller

Objectives:

To compare planting performance and cost of the inclined plate type seed metering device with those of the fluted roller type seed metering device.

Methodology:

A power tiller operated zero till drill was procured and studied to fulfill the specific objectives of the experiment. Fluted roller type seed metering device was used in the previous version of zero till drill which caused seed damage during operation. The damaged seeds increased with increasing metering device rotational speed. So the fluted roller type was replaced by inclined plate type seed metering device to eliminate seed damage in the present version of zero till drill. Forward speed was measured by dividing the distance by time required to travel that distance. Three distances and respective traveling times were recorded. Average value was calculated. S = 3.6D / t (1), Where, S = Forward speed (km h^-1), D = Distance (m), t = Time (s); Effective field capacity was determined by equation (2). EFC = A / T (2), Where, EFC = Effective field capacity (ha h-1), A= Actual operational area (ha), T= Total operating time (h); Theoretical field capacity is the rate of harvesting that would be obtained if the machine was performing its function 100% of the time at rated forward speed and always covered 100% of its sowing width. It was calculated- TFC = SW / 10 (3), Where, TFC = Theoretical field capacity (ha h^-1), s = Rated forward speed (km h^-1), w = Sowing width (m), The field efficiency was determined by equation (4), Field efficiency (%), FE = EFC / TFC × 100; Fuel consumption was measured by equation (5), Fuel consumption F = F / A (5); Where, F = Amount of fuel (lit), A = Area covered (ha); S = (N₁ - N_u) / N_u × 100 (6), Where, S = Wheel slippage (%), Nl = Number of revolution under loading condition, Nu = Number of revolution under unloading condition; S_d = 10 W₂ / A_m (7), Where, S_d = Seed rate (kg ha^-1), W_s = Total weight of seed (gm), A_m = Measured area (m²); % seed damage = (No. of total seed / No. of damaged seed) × 100 (8); CC = (P-S) CRF+ Si (9); CRF = I (1+1)L / (1+1)L^-1 (10); Where, P = Purchase price, S = Salvage value, CRF = Capital recovery factor, i = Interest rate, L = Number of years. Variable cost (VC) was calculated by adding all cost elements as shown in equation (11). VC = Fc + OLc + RMc + Ic + SFc + WC (11); Where, F_c = Fuel cost (ha hr^-1), OL_c = Operator and labour cost (ha hr^-1), RM_c = Repair and maintenance cost (ha hr^-1), I_c = Irrigation cost (ha hr^-1), SFc = Seed and fertilizer cost (ha hr^-1), WC_c = Weed control cost (ha hr^-1).

Source of Information: Progress. Agric. 24(1 & 2): 203 – 210, 2013 ISSN 1017-8139

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The present study was conducted to improve the seed metering system of power tiller operated zero till drill by replacing the fluted roller type metering device with inclined plate type metering device. The study showed superiority of the improved seed metering device over the older version. No seed damage was found during operation and planting cost decreased by 280 Taka ha^-1. Therefore this improvement was proven successful.

Knowledge Management: Journal