Development, testing and performance evaluation of push type cono weeder for wet land paddy crop

Abstract

A push type cono weeder for wet land weeding was designed and developed at the workshop of the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, University of Agricultural, Sciences, Raichur. The weeder consists of four parts namely float, cono with blades, main frame and handle. The cono weeder was evaluated for its field performance for long duration in paddy (Sona masuri) field. The type of weed observed was Cypruss, Cyndan, Dectylah and Rotendus. The weight of the push type weeder was 6 kg. The weeder was tested at the experimental field to evaluate its functional and economical parameters. The results were indicated that, the field capacity was in the range of 0.016 to 0.019 ha/h with a field efficiency in the range of 59.61 to 60.01 percent. The percent weeding efficiency was observed in the range of 72.16 to 85.5. The average effort required to push the cono weeder was 14.4 kgf. The average percent wear per hour on dimensional basis in the left and right weeding cones were observed in the range of 2.85 to 5.71 and 2.70 to 5.71 respectively.