Development and Evaluation of Self propelled Potato Digger for Small land holdings

Abstract

newline A study was carried out to develop and evaluate a self-propelled potato digger for small land holding farmers. The prototype comprised of a digging and a separating unit. These units were attached with each other by a main frame using nut bolts and welding. The prototype derived its power from a diesel engine (6.71 kW). newlineThe developed prototype was evaluated for three forward speeds (2, 2.5 and 3 kmh-1), three rake angles (20, 23 and 260) and three vibrating frequencies (900, 1200 and 1500 rpm) for its performance in terms of digging efficiency (%), digging depth (mm), separating index (%), damage percentage (%), fuel consumption (lh-1), required power (kW), field capacity (hah-1) and field efficiency (%). newlineThe study, in general, indicated that the digging efficiency increased with increase in rake angle and decreased with increase in forward speed and vibrating frequency. Whereas, the fuel consumption and power requirement increased with increase in rake angle, forward speed and vibrating frequency. The study further indicated that the separating index mainly depended on vibrating frequency whereas the digging depth largely depended on rake angle. The digging efficiency, digging depth, damage percentage and effective field capacity for the developed prototype ranged from 89.95 to 95.37 percent, 152.60 to 188.71 mm, 3.24 to 7.03 percent and 0.039 to 0.058 hah-1 respectively for all treatment combinations under study. newlineThe maximum digging efficiency (95.37 %)and minimum damage percentage (3.24 %) was achieved while digging with a rake angle of 260 at a speed of 2 kmh-1and a vibrating frequency of 900 rpm. The developed potato digger resulted in a time saving of 93.67 percent and a net saving of and#8377;11,386.50 per hectare in comparison to traditional method. newline