Performance of the Metering Unit and Soil Engaging Components of a Direct Seeding Machine
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2009
Yazarlar: ÖNAL, İsmet, GÜCÜYEN, Arzu YAZGI, Adnan DEĞİRMENCİOĞLU
\n Volume: 5, Issue: 3\n 291-302\n \n, Uluslararası, 2009
Özet
The objective of this study was to determine the performance of the metering unit and soil engaging components of a direct seeding machine. For this purpose, the direct seeder was tested using Hybrid Maize and delinted cotton seeds and experiments were conducted in the lab and in situ. The laboratory experiments included seed rate accuracy while the sticky belt tests were performed in order to determine the seed spacing accuracy performance. The situ tests were performed in a stubble field to find out the performance of the soil engaging components of the direct seeding machine. The seed spacing and the accuracy were determined as a function of transmission ratio and number of seed holes on seed plate while the range for peripheral speed of the seed plate was found to be the function of forward speed, transmission ratio. The range for seed releasing frequency (SRF) of the seeder was also investigated. As a result of the study conducted in the laboratory, a linear relationship with a coefficient of determination of 99.57 % was found between SRF and flow rate in the SRF range of 4 -12. On the other hand, the results from the statistical analysis indicated that at a SRF of 12, the population index value defined as the ratio of actual to theoretical flow rate from the metering unit was significantly different than the others. This means that the seed rate will go down at a SRF value of 12 or above. The coefficient of variation in seed flow was found to be 2 % or below except at a SRF value of 4. The sticky belt tests conducted in the laboratory provided the results of seeding performance of the direct seeder and it was found that the precision in seeding at a theoretical seed spacing ranging between 14.8 and 25.5 cm for maize was lower than 17 %. This is an indicator of a good performance since it is below the acceptable value of 29-30%. The results obtained by using delinted cotton seeds were evaluated from the point of thinning operations as performed after the plant emergence in the field. The performance indicators such as precision, quality of feed index, miss and multiple index values of the metering unit with a seed plate of 70 holes were lower than the acceptable ones at seed spacing of 5.7 cm as it requires thinning operation in the field. At a SRF of 20 and a forward speed of 1 m s, these indicators showed an increase. At a seed spacing of 9.9 cm that is appropriate for planting to a stand (without thinning), the precision value at a forward speed of 1.0 and 1.5 m s was acceptable while quality of feed index and multiple index at a forward speed of 1.0 m s increased and were better as compared to 1.5 m s. The forward speed less than 1.5 m s could be recommended for a seed spacing of 9.9 cm. The tests in the field included the performance of the soil engaging components. It was found that the intensity of surface residue was reduced from 5600 daN ha to 1431.5 daN hain the row and an appropriate soil media was established by the seed placement components. The weighed average value of the aggregate diameter was found to be 16.4 mm.