Performance Evaluation and Modification of Coconut Tree Climber

Abstract

In order to aid in engineering design and modification of cutting mechanism in shredders, and to investigate the effect of parameter on cutting energy, an impact type pendulum test rig was used to measure the energy required for cutting the plant stems. A total number of 324 experiments were carried out on KC1 cotton variety, in different thickness viz., 6 (T1), 8 (T2) and 10 (T3) mm, approach angle viz., 0 (φ1), 15 (φ2), and 30 (φ3) deg, shear angle viz., 0 (θ1), 15 (θ2) and 20 (θ3) deg and bevel angle of cutter blade viz., 23 (α1), 25 (α2), 28 (α3) and 30 deg (α4). The results show that the optimum value of Specific Cutting Energy (SCE) 178.04 J was obtained, at treatment combination level of α2 × T3× θ 1× φ2, respectively. The optimized treatment combination has been selected, for modifying the cutting mechanism of selected shredder. The modified shredder, evaluated in actual field condition resulted in saving 37.5 and 82 percent cost and time, when compared with conventional method of crop residue removal, from agricultural field.