A Novel Approach To Optimize Harvesting Losses Using Modified Engine Operated Reaper. | [Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences • 2020]

Author(s):

1. Muhammad Nadeem: Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University,39 Cox Road, Truro, Nova Scotia, B2N 5E3,Canada

2. Tri-Nguyen Quang: Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University,39 Cox Road, Truro, Nova Scotia, B2N 5E3,Canada

3. Abdul Khaliq: Department of Irrigation and Drainage, University of Agriculture,Faisalabad,Pakistan

4. Abdul Jabbar: Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture,Faisalabad,Pakistan

5. Muhammad Iqbal: Department of Farm Machinery and Power, University of Agriculture,Faisalabad,Pakistan

6. Muhammad Usman Ghani: Department of Farm Machinery and Power, University of Agriculture,Faisalabad,Pakistan

7. Kamran Ikram: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology,Rahim Yar Khan,Pakistan

Abstract:

Agriculture production can be enhanced by considering all the farm operations especially the harvesting of crops is the more sensitive operation. The selection of appropriate farm machinery for harvesting not only save the harvesting time but also enhance the farm profitability. The agro-climatic and economic factors are the major hindrance on the way to adopt the harvesting machinery and latest movers in Pakistan. The objective of this work was to redesign an engine operated reaper at affordable price and performance evaluation of this reaper for harvesting three different crops (wheat, rice and brassica). Three levels of reaper ground speed (S) (1.94, 2.54 and 3.18 kmh-1) and three different levels of moisture contents (MC) for each crop were considered as factors. A (3 x 3) factorial analysis was conducted to see the impact of “MC” and “S” on percent slippage, field efficiency and shatter losses. The main effects of S and MC were significant for all the crops for each factor (p<0.05), except MC which was non-significant for shatter losses in wheat and rice (p= 0.0667) and (p=0.847), respectively. Statistical Analysis showed that selected levels of MC and S had significant effect on % slippage, field efficiency and shatter losses. The cost analysis indicated that the breakeven point of the modified reaper can be achieved after 19 days of purchase. Study demonstrated that grain losses can be minimized, and farm profitability can be maximized by selecting suitable combination of M and S.

Page(s): 319-326

DOI: 10.21162/PAKJAS/20.9469

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Volume: 57, Issue: 2, Year: 2020

Keywords:

Multi crops , slippage , engine operated reaper , harvesting machinery , shatter losses and efficiency

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