Conceptual design of a safflower harvester

Abstract

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), an economically valuable oilseed crop, is primarily cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of India. Despite its potential, its harvesting process is still dependent on manual labor, making it inefficient, time-consuming, and costly, especially due to the crop's thorny nature. Mechanized harvesting solutions are scarce due to the unique morphology of safflower. This study presents a conceptual design for a walk-behind three-row safflower harvester that addresses these specific challenges. The machine comprises a reciprocating cutter bar, crop lifters, star wheel gatherers, and a belt-type windrower powered by a 5 HP diesel engine. The design is intended to increase harvesting efficiency, reduce drudgery, and lower operational costs for small and marginal farmers. The paper includes detailed component specifications, theoretical calculations, and field adaptability analysis.