Design development of tractor operated raised bed planter cum sprayer with covering device

Abstract

The present study was performed to utilize all mechanical aids for development and management of field production, weed control and water control. Mechanization can help in increasing the production by timely farm operation, reducing losses, reducing the cost of operations. The machine was developed using different components such as frame, tynes, furrow openers, transport wheels, ground wheel, ridger, hitching unit, seed cum fertilizer box, seed tube, drives for metering device, weedicide sprayer unit and seed covering blade. The developed machine can be used for preparing the raised beds and simultaneously planting the seeds at designed row to row and plant to plant spacing. The working width of planter was 190 cm with 5 nos of tyne at a depth of 8 cm. The trapezoidal hopper was designed have length 127 cm, height 24 cm and bottom width of 38 cm. The tyne of furrow has height 45 cm and thickness 20 cm. The furrow opener size used was 4.5 cm. The ground wheel was designed for planter has diameter 28 cm with 12 nos of pegs. A covering device was connected behind furrow openers to cover the seeds with soil to protect seeds from birds and helps to germinate the seeds immediately. The developed sprayer was found to be cost efficient and can be exploited in the market.