| Author | Ammaraporn Limraluk |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-06-08 |
| Subject(s) | Sugarcane
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AE-06-08 |
| Abstract | The main objective of this study was to develop a multipurpose cultivator for use with walking tractors in sugarcane fields during the first 90 days. The objective was to develop a multipurpose cultivator having a spring tine harrow for weeding and disc furrow opener to remove soil collapsed at stems facilitating better germination. Working width of the multi-purpose cultivator was 69 and 75 cm at disc angles of 42° and 45° respectively. Working depth was about 10 cm for disc plough and 5 cm for spring tines. Total weight of prototype was 96.5 kg and a walking tractor pulled it with 8.2 kW (11hp) power. Performance test of the prototype was conducted in the field had cane plantation of two weeks duration with sandy loam soil at moisture content of 16.3% (d.b.) at forward speeds of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 km/h. The average cone index of the experimental fields at 5 cm depth was 0.50+0.11 MPa. After the test, the lowest average cone index was 0.37+0.08 MPa at 1.5 km/h forward speed and highest average cone index was 0.46+0.13 MPa at 2.0 km/h forward speed at 42° disc angle. At 45° disc angle, lowest average of cone index was 0.39+0.11 MPa at 1.5 km/h forward speed and highest average of cone index was 0.44+0.15 MPa at 2.5 km/h forward speed respectively. It was observed that the bulk density and cone index were reduced after operation. Test results showed that the average tilling depth of discs and spring tines were 9.07 and 4.26 cm respectively. Increasing forward speed increased slip. The maximum drawbar power of the cultivator for 2.5 km/h forward speed and 42° disc angles was 0.90 kW and at 45° disc angle was 0.91 kW. The maximum fuel consumption for 2.5 km/h forward speed at 42° disc angles was 1.82 litres per hour and at 45° disc angle was 1.85 litres per hour. The maximum weeding efficiency at 1.5 km/h forward speed with 42° and 45° disc angles was 82.5% and 83.6% respectively. It was found that using this implement provided better germination than no-weeding. The average field capacity was 0.13 ha/h and the average field efficiency was 81.9%. The total operating costs per hectare of the prototype, manual method and spraying herbicides were 361.2, 1,250 and 1,750 Baht/ha respectively. Thus, it was economical to use the developed multi-purpose cultivator with walking tractor for weeding, breaking soil crust and removing soil collapsed at the stems facilitating better germination of sugarcane plant or ratoon during first two weeks until three months. The ability of the multipurpose cultivator to perform the harrowing as well as weeding operation simultaneously should reduce the number of operations and labour costs |
| Year | 2006 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AE-06-08 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Salokhe, V. M.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Jayasuriya, H.P. W. ;Canillas, Emmanuel C. ;Chaiyaphol Kaewprakaisaengkul ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006 |