Development of potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) haulm cutter

Abstract

Manual haulm cutting using bolo is a practice of potato farmers in the Philippines prior to digging the potato tubers. The operation requires about 40 man-hours per hectare and with the current practice, the workers are exposed to risk of injuring themselves or their coworkers during the operation. This study was then conducted to develop a potato haulm cutter for potato farmers. The device was designed and fabricated using locally available materials. The working performance of the machine was evaluated using the following cutter speed: 833 rpm, 1115 rpm and 1392 rpm with three replications at an engine speed of 2526 rpm. Results revealed that the cutter speed of 1392 rpm gave the highest cutting capacity of about 0.15 ha/hr with field efficiency of 98 .64% and cutting efficiency of 88.33%. The machine capacity of 1457m2/hr was five times higher than manual cutting capacity of 287 m2/hr. Cost analysis of using the machine indicated a break-even point of 3.87 ha/yr. Cost analysis also indicated an expected income of 101, 772.00 per annum and a payback period of 5.4 months for the haulm cutter cost. Finally, the machine was perceived acceptable and beneficial to the potato growers.