Performance evaluation of mini tractor operated rotary weeder

Abstract

Every year India faces the total loss of 33% of its economy from weeds which accounts an average of 1980 Cr of rupees is wasted due to weeds. The Losses are due to some of the following reasons; total loss of 26% from Crop Diseases, total loss of 20% from Insects and Worms, total loss of 6% from Rats has been surveyed (Sridhar, 2013). Removal of weeds consumes 25% labour i.e. 900-1200 man–hour during the cultivation season (Kumar et al., 2002). Average weeding cost by traditional method is nearby Rs. 945/ha out of the total cost of cultivation Rs. 3000/ha for agricultural crop (Tajuddin et al., 1991). The overall dimension of rotary weeder was 1200×600×760 mm and fabricated with square pipe of 40 × 40 × 5 mm. The weeder was tested with ‘L ‘type blade and three different rotor RPM of 40, 60 and 80 RPM. For three different of 40,60 and 80 rotor rpm at operating speed of 1.5 km/h weeding efficiency were 98.28 %, 96.70 % and 96.28 % respectively and plant damage were 1.12%, 3.36% and 4.48 % respectively. Fuel consumption was obtain 2.10 l/h at operating speed of 1.5 km/h and effective field capacity and field efficiency were obtain 0.14 ha/h and 82 % respectively. Fabrication cost of rotary weeder was ₹ 39,700 and operational cost ₹ 328.25 /h and benefit cost ration and payback period were 3.54 and 2.84 year.