DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPUTER PROGRAM USING VISUAL BASIC FOR PREDICTING PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS OF TILLAGE IMPLEMENTS

Abstract

This research effort is looking at alternatives to equation-based modeling; the ability to make predictions without creating equations to describe variable relations satisfies the research goals. A program for predicting performance of tillage implements in visual basic based on trained artificial neural network was developed.  The program was designed to predict the required draft and energy of chisel, moldboard and disk plows. Field efficiency for each plow was assumed. The results of the program application are found almost identical with actual performance data of the selected plows. The fuel consumption could be determined through rated PTO power of a tractor. Hence, the developed program can be used to aid decision – makers in selecting the optimum tractor–machine complement size during operation under specific conditions of the soil and both plowing speed and depth. The specifications of each plow were considered as inputs in the program. The benefit of the program is to assist graduate and undergraduate students in agricultural engineering field to estimate data performance of tillage implements.