Development of Tractor Operated Cotton Stalk Puller
Elnougomi. A. Gadir
College of Agricultural Studies-Sudan University of Science and Technology- Sudan
Taief M. Gibreel *
College of Agricultural Studies-Sudan University of Science and Technology- Sudan
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The implement was designed and developed in a workshop held at the Agricultural Engineering Department, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology between April 2011 and June 2012. The implement was constructed from a series of disc blades mounted on a frame. The two discs arranged together with specific space and angles to adapt with cotton stalks pulling operation. The implement mounted on the tractor by three hitches linkage.
The field performance test was done for the implementation in Gezira Scheme by measuring the tilt and rake angles parameters, operation speed, pulling operation cost for both systems; manual and mechanical and total cost to product the implement. The experimental design was split plot in a complete randomized block adopted with three replications.
The results revealed that the best performance efficiency of the implement (94%) was found at both 30, 20 degrees of tilt angle and rake angle respectively. The suitable operating speed was found to be 2.8 km/h. When estimated, the total cost to achieve the cotton stalks removal per using two systems hand puller and designed implement found that 200,50 SDG required per feddans respectively. The current implement design can be manufactured in both industrial and semi-industrial factories and even small workshops due to design simplicity. Finally it was found that the total manufacturing cost of the implement was 3000 SDG (500$)
Keywords: Cotton, puller equipment, stalks, simple design