Design and development of vibratory cultivator using optimization algorithms

Abstract

Tillage system design is one of the important areas of interest for farming community. Oscillatory tillage is one such area which reduces the draft consumption and plays a crucial role to farmers during soil manipulation process. The paper deals to design a vibratory mechanism to provide a continuous motion to the tillage tool for following a particular path adopted from the literature through proper synthesis theory and procedure. A four bar mechanism is designed through proper synthesis procedure to identify the dimensions. Analytical and optimal synthesis method is followed during the design process. Optimization algorithms such as hybrid teaching–learning particle swarm optimization based algorithm (HTLPSO), teaching–learning based algorithm, and particle swarm optimization is used to find the values of the design variables. MATLAB is the software used for the synthesis and analysis process. It is observed in the study that designed four mechanism follows the required path for vibratory tillage operation. The results attained through optimization algorithm in HTLPSO performed better for the required path than other nature-inspired algorithms. Also the developed vibratory cultivator performed better in the field trials.