Design, Development and Performance Study of a Battery Operated Seed Broadcasting Machine

B. Sc. in Agricultural Engineering

Faculty of Engineering

Hajee Mohammad Danesh Sci and Tech University

Guides

SupervisorDr. Kamal Uddin SarkerProfessorDept. of AIEHSTU

Co-SupervisorMuhammad Abdul MunnafLecturerDept. of AIEHSTU

Presenters

Md. ImranuzzamanID: 1007058

Anjuman AktarID: 1007053

Tanjimun NahidID: 0907040

Introduction

Broadcasting is required where the seeds are to be scattered on a random and non-row basis on the top of the field.

Battery operated seed broadcasting machine is a horizontal rotor type seed distributor used to spread seed uniformly over the field.

Technologies are needed for developing a locally made seed sowing machine which would simple to operate and cost low for the farmers in our country.

Background of Study

Previously different scientists worked and developed some

machines. A seed-fertilizer distributor machine was developed in

the Department of Farm Power and Machinery of Bangladesh

Agricultural University in November 2000 (Ziauddin et al.

2001) named as ‘BAUZIA Seed-Fertilizer Distributor’.

*Ziauddin, A. T. M., Ferdous H. Khan. 2001. 4th International Conference on Mechanical Engineering, December 26-28, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 117–122.

Existing Machines

Problem Definition

In hand broadcasting system farmers cannot spread seed uniformly. It is time consuming and drudgery work for them.

Major problems in manually operated broadcaster is that the rotation of beater is not always same. Also it has very low capacity.

Different existing machines can be used to broadcast seed but they are mechanical power operated and cannot be used in small fields. They are expensive for small farmers.

Problems Observed

Objectives of Our StudyMain objective: To design and develop a battery operated manually carried seed broadcasting machine to broadcast small seeds.

Others are:1. To search theoretical idea of a broadcasting machine.2. To design and construct a small battery operated broadcasting

machine which is easy to carry manually.3. To test the machine for broadcasting small seeds on the field.4. To find out the percent uniformity of seed distribution.5. To compare the traditional broadcasting and machine

broadcasting in respect of uniformity, cost and yield.6. Recommend future improvement.

Our Approach

Our main concern is to ensure the uniformity of spreading the seeds over the field.

The rotation of beater plate is fixed at a constant speed. That could spread seeds uniformly.

Comparatively it is more flexible and comfortable than other hand operated machine.

Seed Spreading Methodology Distributor type rotor Spinning disc type distributor Pneumatic distributor Oscillating spout machines Plate and flicker machines

Outlook of Our Present Work

Third Angle Projection of the Machine

Electrical Circuit Diagram

Parts Identification of the Machine

Hopper Beater Arm Fiber Platform

Parts Identification of the Machine

Battery Switch Box

Parts Identification of the Machine

DC Motor

Parts Identification of the Machine

TransformerCapacitor

Beater arm design

V = ωr = 2πNr

W=V

W=

r=

Where,V = velocity, m/sω = angular velocity, rad/minN = rotor, rpmr = length of beater arm, mh = height of beater arm from the ground during operation, mg = acceleration due to gravity, m/s2

W = horizontal swath width distance, m

Operational Diagram of Machine

Hopper

Seed Metering Device

Fiber

Platform

Beater

Seed to ground

Broadcasting Pattern

UCD Test

UCD

Where,

= average weight of materials of all boxes

= weight of materials in each boxn = number of boxes taken for the test

Effective Field Capacity Test EFC =

Where,

A = actual area covered, haT = total time required, hr

Theoretical Field Capacity TestTFC =

Where,

S = forward speed of travel, km/hrW =total width covered, m

C=constant, 10

Field Efficiency

Efficiency = x 100

Machine Specification

Machine Size 30cm x 30cm x 72cm

Machine Weight 5 kg

Container Volume 16500 cm3

DC Motor 12 V

Motor Rotation High 320 rpm

Low 220 rpm

Beater Length 35 cm

Battery 6 V, 2 pcs.

Capacitor 35V, 4700µF

Transformer 12V, 6A

Machine in Operation

Operational PerformanceParameter Result

UCD 91.18%

TFC 0.538 ha/hr

EFC 0.33 ha/hr

Efficiency 61.33%

ConclusionA theoretical idea was developed first to make the seed broadcasting machine.The designed machine was easy to carry and preferred by several farmers. The machine was tested for broadcasting small seeds on the field.The evaluated Uniformity Co-efficient of Distribution (UCD), field capacity, efficiency were found 91.18%, 0.33 ha/hr and 61.33% respectively and those were higher than the traditional seed broadcasting method.There are some recommendation for the improvement of the machine.

Recommendation

For small seed opener the distribution of wheat in the desired rate is not achieved. It is mandatory to travel the field twice for wheat broadcasting.Sometimes the absence of agitator may cause of creating clog in the opening and hampers seed distribution.The seed discharge line was designed in lateral. It need to be inclined for continuous flow.

Recommendation

The machine was fabricated with steel and weight is little bit heavy. It can be designed with light materials. A drawback in the opening and closing of the seed discharge opener. To get high efficiency the machine should run in the large field.

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