Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Modification of BARI Power Tiller Operated Reaper Into Self-propelled Reaper for Harvesting Paddy and Wheat

M. A. Mathin
Scientific Officer
FMP Engg. Division, BARI, Gazipur-1701

K. C. Roy
Chief Scientific Officer
FMP Engg. Division, BARI, Gazipur-1701

S. Ahmmed
Principal Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Farmgate, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh

M. A. Wohab
Senior Scientific Officer
FMP Engg. Division, BARI, Gazipur-1701

M. N. Amin
Scientific Officer
FMP Engg. Division, BARI, Gazipur-1701

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Power tiller mounted reaper has some limitations for operation in the field. Due to its heavy weight and length, its maneuverability is not easy. It is difficult to turn in headlands during operation and not suitable for wet lands. Soil compaction is more than a power tiller unit. It is not possible to cross fields or ditches by hanging to overcome these limitations. BARI power tiller operated reaper was modified into a BARI self-propelled reaper (SP reaper). The field performance of the reaper was satisfactory. It is lightweight and 5-6 people can carry the reaper over fields, ditches or levees/bunds by hanging. It can be operated both in dry and wet lands (even in submerged soil), except in clay soil as in Gazipur. Turning in headlands is easy. It has an average field capacity of 0.18 ha/hr for paddy and 0.27 ha/hr for wheat. Operational costs of harvesting were Tk. 245/ha for paddy and Tk. 157/ha for wheat (fuel and labour only). Total costs of harvesting paddy and wheat were Tk. 392/ha and Tk. 261/ha (fixed and variable cost), respectively. The reaper has a break-even use of 3.5 ha/year and 3.4 ha/year for paddy and wheat, respectively.

Keywords: BARI Power Tiller, Self-propelled reaper, Paddy, Wheat.

Location: Joydebpur and Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur district, Jessore and Kishoreganj districts, Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Harvester, Rice, Wheat

Objectives:

i) Modification of power tiller operated reaper into self-propelled one for harvesting paddy and wheat.

ii) Field performance test of the self-propelled reaper. and

iii) Economic feasibility of the reaper.

Methodology:

The following points were considered while designing the self-propelled reaper: a) Functionally flawless for harvesting paddy and wheat. b) Simple, sturdy and portable. C) Affordable in price (about the same price of a Chinese power tiller). d) Suitable for a range of conditions. e) Acceptable limit of harvesting loss. f) Provision for power cut-off from the wheel and/or cutter bar during operation. g) Adjustable cutting height. The following modifications were made on power tiller mounted reaper to form a self-propelled reaper: i) a 4.4 hp diesel engine was used for operating the reaper. ii) The reaper unit was set on a frame supported on two wheels and a complete power transmission system was fabricated. iii) Cage wheels with a ring was fabricated for easy travel both on roads and in fields. iv) Chinese reaper type cutter bar was adopted. v) Belt conveying system was changed to chain conveying system. BARI SP reaper is a vertical conveyor reaper operated by a 4.4 hp diesel engine. It has a cutting width of 1.2 meter and is suitable for harvesting paddy and wheat. It cuts crop and lays it in windrows to be collected and tied in bundles. wheels lift the crop, provide a holding action and guide the crop into the cutter bar. A reciprocating cutter bar provides the cutting action. After cutting, the star wheels pass the crop to the crop conveyors. Two chain-with- lug type crop conveyors, provided in two levels, carry the cut crop to the right outlet and drive the star wheels. The pressure springs, fitted below the upper conveyor chain, keep the cut crop positioned vertically, while it is transferred laterally. An outlet guide controls the evenness of windrow when the cut crop is laid on the field. The cutting height can be adjusted by lowering or raising the handle fitted with the frame by nut-bolt. There is a provision of disengaging power from the left wheel for easy turning in the headlands.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 31(4) : 653-661, December 2006, ISSN 0258 - 7122

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Among agricultural operations, harvesting is one of most tedious jobs and requires large number of labourers. BARI self-propelled reaper can be used successfully for quick and economic harvesting of paddy and wheat, and to reduce the peak labour shortage during harvesting. It can be a profitable business (like power tillers/threshers) for the poor/land less by providing custom hiring service, Thus, production cost and crop damage will be reduced, Farmers' net income will be increased. Frame and other parts of the reaper are made of thick angle and flat bars which have increased its weight. However, it required less repairs and maintenance. Necessary steps need to be taken by GO/NGO to popularize the reaper among farmers.

Knowledge Management: Journal