Comparative Study of Manual Seed Injector

Bataan Heroes College- College of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Mechanical Engineering
COMPARATIVE
STUDY OF
MANUAL SEED
INJECTOR
PREPARED BY: SUBMITTED TO:
Castillo, Mitchelle D. MR. ARNOLD P. VERGARA
Custodio, Joshua R. INSTRUCTOR
Datu, Jonathan S.
Deniega III, Ernesto Mike C.
Lingad, Ver Alvin P.
Portuguez, Lemuel B.
Viloria, Hoshea Romar M.
BSME 5TH YEAR STUDENTS
Manual Seed Injector

LETTER OF TRANSMITAL
February 27, 2020
Mr. Arnold P. Vergara

Instructor
Bataan Heroes College
Dear Sir,
In compliance with the partial fulfilment of requirements for Research
Method with Internet Technology of Mechanical Engineering Degree, we are very
pleased to present and submit our design of Design and Fabrication of Low-Cost
Manual Seed Injector.
It is composed of the different researched information, and studies about
efficient planting.
We hope that this research will meet the standard of its desired readers
and will harvest your most welcome approval.
Regards,
Castillo, Mitchelle D.
Custodio, Joshua R.
Datu, Jonathan S.
Deniega III, Ernesto Mike C.
Lingad, Ver Alvin P.
Portuguez, Lemuel B.
Viloria, Hoshea Romar M.
BSME 5th Year Students

DEDICATION
The researchers would like to dedicate this study to the creator of all, the God
Almighty, for giving them the strength and knowledge to properly apply the things that
is needed in the study. The researchers would like to also dedicate this to their parents
who support them from the beginning through the success of this study. To their
beloved institution, Bataan Heroes College, for giving them the opportunity to
contribute with this humble research for the benefit of the community and would serve
as a reference to the future student who would take in part of such study. The
researchers would like to dedicate this study to their instructors who became big part of
this thesis and to all their friends who helped them in terms of research.
The researchers want to thank all of you for the continuous support. May the God
bless all of you, thank you!

PREFACE
This study is to make an efficient Low-Cost Manual Seed Injector that will make
the people specially farmers in the given design prototype to help them well on planting.
This study is focused on the fundamentals of how the plant was designed, fabricated
and work. With the help of friends, instructors, and advisers, together with long hours of
sleepless nights, the researchers have finally achieved a conclusive result that used
and applied, all knowledge they learned throughout the whole researching.
The researchers humbly present this study for the benefit of who would consider
an aide to which they would serve knowledge and help.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers would like to acknowledge various people with their help in
making this study a success. To God, who gave them strength and wisdom in achieving
what they thought was impossible from the beginning. To their instructor, Mr. Arnold P.
Vergara , who help them grow not only as his student, as aspiring engineer, but also
developing their character and attitude for the betterment of the community, which the
institution aims to do the unwavering support of their parents, friends, who walked with
them together as they proceed to achieve results that could satisfy what is needed in
the production of such study. To their beloved institution, Bataan Heroes College, by
providing them an opportunity to help the community with their humble actions and
contribute as members of its institution.

Abstract
A low cost manually operated single row vegetable planter was developed for
transplanting of plug and pot type vegetable seed on ridges. It consisted of jaw
assembly, delivery pipe, lever, handle, and frame. Operating principle of the developed
injector involves the raising the injector up to one feet height and allow to free fall in the
soil, dropping the seed in the seed delivery tube, pressing the lever in upward direction
which enable the jaw to open the soil and seed was placed in the soil by gravity and
lifting the injector with open jaw and close the after raising the injector by one feet
height. It was evaluated for inter and intra-row spacings of 45×45 cm and 60×60 cm.
Manual planting on ridges (MPR) were compared with developed planter on ridges
(MOPR). The planting rate using single labor was found to be 9 & 15 seed/min for MPR
and MOPR, respectively the field efficiency was 19.28-25.71%; 57.85-77. 14%;
Moreover, cost of operation (Php/km) in was found to be 215-282 and 115.28 -153.704
php/km. The time saving over manual planting is 33% in MOPR, respectively. Weight of
developed trans planter is 1.6 kg and cost are 356 Php. Developed vegetable planter
found more suitable for vegetable transplanting as compare to traditional method of
manual transplanting.

Chapter I
Background of the Study
ABSTRACT
The process of applying technology innovation that daily occurs in life to the
agricultural sector is known as agro-technology. It improves the efficiency of crop
production and reduces the amount of work and time taken to plant a crop compared to
traditional methods. Small scale farmers especially those specializing in grains can
increase their crop production if drudgery is reduced or completely eradicated from the
planting operation. The best performance of a planter can be attained through
optimizing limits such as spacing inefficiencies and low seed placement by proper
design and material selection for the components of the machine.
In this project, the objective was to design a manually operated seed injector
that suited the needs of different types of crops, easily affordable by small scale
farmers, less laborious during operation and easy to maintain. The seed planter can
precisely deliver the seeds to the ground with uniform spacing between the seeds and
consistent depth in the furrow. It was designed and comprises of handles, triggers, seed
tube, and seed metering mechanisms, shaft and the seed discharge tubes. Apart from
the handle which is made up of plastic, the rest of the components were designed with
stainless steel material.
The planter can be efficiently handled by both skilled and unskilled operators
since the adjusting, operating and maintenance principles are simplified in this design.

INTRODUCTION
Mechanization in agriculture holds the key for sustainable development in the
terms of increasing the production by timely farm operations, reducing losses, reducing
the cost of operations by ensuring better management of costly inputs and enhancing
the productivity of natural resources besides it helps in reducing drudgery in farm
operations. Mechanized agricultural practices and operations have been adopted by the
farming community at varying level of adoption, which represents the varying scenario
across different regions in the country. The agriculture has always been the backbone
of the Philippines economic growth. As the population of Philippines continues to grow,
the demand for produce grows as well. Hence, there is a greater need for multiple
cropping in the farms and this in turn requires efficient and time saving machines. But
our farmers especially the small scale farmers are still practicing the old way of planting.
Also to consider, that machinery available in the market are expensive and cannot
afford by small scale farmers. We came to an idea that we should design a simple,
cheap and easy to operate machine that inject a seed to soil for faster and efficient way
of planting agricultural seeds.
Spring is one of the major mechanisms in our seed injector. According to V.
Ryan (2009) springs are available in a large variety of shapes and sizes. Springs have a
very wide range of uses and it is difficult to think of a mechanical device without one or
more of them. Example of the applications that use springs include firearms (triggers). It
can help our design as an absorber, it can store and release energy through a change
in shape. It can return our design to its starting position when we press the trigger of the
seed injector. The amount of energy generated by the change in shape is governed by
Hooke’s Law (within the elastic limitations of the materials)
Stainless steel, considered the most important material in field of
mechanical engineering. According to Vaghani, Vasanwala and Desai (2014) stainless
steel sections have been increasingly used in structural and architectural applications

because of its superior corrosion resistance, ease of maintenance and pleasing

appearance. Stainless steel is a perfect material for application that exposed on water
or moisture because of its corrosion resistance. Soil of our agricultural land is often wet,
if we use other kind of metal with no corrosion resistance, it will corrode fast and can
result to inefficient and ineffective of the seed injector. Stainless steel is the perfect
material for the tube and any other parts of the seed injector that can maximize the life
of machine.
A fastener is needed as a joining element in the design of seed injector.
Bolts and nuts are kind of fastener. According to Donald (2017) there are various uses
of bolts and nuts, first they are for doing conjunction with a mating bolt, they are also
used for making joints, they are used to hold more than one object together, and they
are used for making strong bonds which are not break even at high amount of force or
pressure. According to Vishwakarma (2019) some of the application of bolts and nuts
include fastening metal to wood, lifting application like- light rigging, wires and ropes,
construction and repair of bridges and used in turbines and power generation. Bolts and
nuts are the joining element we can use in our seed injector because of its strong and it
fits on our design.
Because of the availability of some of the important parts needed for our
design like spring, stainless steel for tubes and any other parts of the injector, and a
joining element bolt and nut. We decided to make a seed injector that can help our
small scale farmers have a faster, efficient and effective way planting seeds, and further
increase harvest of some of our agricultural seeds.
Problem
The Philippines is still an agricultural country even the growing
industrialization. But in spite of this we still experiencing food shortages in our country.
Especially those commodities came from our agricultural grain crops like okra, string

beans, corn and other agricultural seeds that have an important role to people’s health
and one of the main problems we’ve face on the past years. It can lead to hunger, when
persistent; can lead to under nutrition, illnesses and lower productivity later in life.
Our small-scale farmers are still practicing the outdated or old way of
planting seeds (sowing). Small scale farmers that owned small area of land can’t afford
to buy expensive planter machinery that required a skilled operator, because of limited
financial resources and lead to slow and takes a lot effort to complete the planting of
seeds. Development and adoption of improved agricultural technologies and machinery
is a long-time concern of our agricultural experts.
Also, one of reason is the unfamiliarity of farmer about simple agro-
technology which can make a big impact in our agricultural sector. They are already
used to practice the outdated way of sowing.
Gap
Outdated planting process of agricultural seeds of small-scale farmers who
can’t afford to buy expensive planting machinery that can help to reduce their time and
effort to complete the process.
Proposed Solution
Design a simple, cheap and easy to operate manual machine that can help
to speed up the planting process of our small-scale farmers to have a better harvest.
Design that is affordable for small scale farmers, easy to operate that don’t require high
skill level operator and has simple mechanisms that even our old farmers can use.
Statement of the Problem

General
This study aims to design a manually seed injector/planter. Specifically, it seeks
to answer these following questions and problems.
1. How to design a manually seed injector. That is capable of planting corn seeds and
dept to increase harvest
2. Materials needed for constructions
3. How to prove that it is more efficient compare to old way of planting process with no
machinery is used.
4. What are the advantages of this product compared to those that are available in the
market.
Objectives of the Study

1. To help our farmers and maintain their livelihood
2. To improve the productivity of corn kernel crops.
3. To develop the simple machine which be easy to use and lower cost.
4. Comparison of seed injector in the market to our manual seed injector.
Significance of the Study

The generalization of this study would be a big help on knowledge about the
agricultural sector of our country. The result of this study will benefit the following;
Small scale farmers- the result of this design can help our small-scale farmers
improve their seed planting (sowing) process. And increase the production rate of
harvested agricultural grain crops that has been a big problem for the past years.
Consumer- this refers to the people that consume those agricultural commodities
came from our agricultural lands.
Future researchers- the data presented can be used as a reference data in
conducting new researches or in testing the validity of our design.

Scope and Limitations

The main focus of the manual seed injector is applicable for seed that is medium
agricultural seeds like corn kernel seeds. The kind of soil must be soft soil like loamy
and clay soil. In general, this design is almost suitable in any kind of agricultural soil
used by the farmers.
Furthermore, this design is limited to agricultural seeds that can directly plant
on soil like the said example above, this is not suitable for tomato, eggplant etc. that
need to plant to a separate place until it become a seedling.
Note on the Chapter I
Reference
https://www.google.com
https://www.researchgate.net
https://www.quora.com
https://mechanical.uonbi.ac.ke
https://www.ijcmas.com
https://www.ajol.info/
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org
https://www.ijcmas.com
https://youtube.com
https://hackaday.com

Chapter II
Related studies and literatures:
 There iare iseveral imechanical iplanting imethods ipracticed ior itrailed iin iLaos iand
Cambodia isuch ias idrum iseeder i(Dalgliesh iet ial. i2016), iseed ispreader, iseed idrill
i
and imechanical itransplanter ito iovercome ithe iproblems iassociated iwith imanual
i
transplanting iand ibroadcasting. iThe imechanical itransplanter ihas ibeen icommonly

i
used iand ihas ireplaced imanual itransplanting iin inorthern iAsian icountries.
i
 Another imechanised iplanting imethod ithat iappears ipromising iis iseed idrill, iwhich iis
gaining ipopularity iin iSavannakhet, iLaos, idue ito isaving iof ilabour icost icompared ito
i
manual itransplanting i(Sengxua iet ial., i2019). iDrill-planted irice iarea iincreased ifrom
i
835 iha iin i2015 ito iover i15,000 iha iin i2016 i(Jackson, iSengxua, i& iWade, i2017).
i
 In ismallholdings iand imarket igardens iin iIndia iand iother iAsian icountries, iwalk-
behind ihand-controlled itractors iare ithe imajor isource iof ifarm ipower. iConventional
manual itransplanting iof ibare iroot ivegetable iseedlings iis ilabor iintensive iand itime
i
consuming, iand ithere iexists ia ineed ifor imechanical itransplanting iusing ia ihand-
i
controlled itractor ias ithe isource iof ipower. iA itwo-row ivegetable itransplanter ifor
transplanting isoil iblock iseedlings iwas ideveloped ias imatching iequipment ifor ia
i
walk-behind ihand itractor. iField iperformance, iquality iof iwork, icost iof ioperation,
i
and iyield iwere icompared iwith iconventional imanual itransplanting iof ibare iroot
i
seedlings iusing ia irow imarker iand ihand ihoe. iSoil iblock iseedlings iwere iplaced ion ia
i
metering iconveyor iof ithe itransplanter iby itwo ilaborers iwho ialso imaneuvered ithe
i
hand itractor. iSeedlings iwere icarried iby ithe ihorizontal ichain iconveyor ito ia ihopper-
i
type iplanting idevice ithat iplanted iseedlings iin ian iupright iorientation. iThe iplanting
rate iof ithe itransplanter iwas i31 iplants·min−1 iwith ia imaximum iof i2.75% imissed
i

plantings iand i3.38% itilted iplantings. iThe ifield icapacity iof ithe itransplanter iwas
i
0.045 iha·h−1 ifor itransplanting iTomato i(Solanum ilycopersicum iL) iand iChilli iPepper
i
(Capsicum iannuum iL.) iat ian iinter- iand iwithin-row ispacing iof i45 icm iand i0.06 iha·h−1
i
for itransplanting iEggplant i(S. imelongena iL.) iin ian iinter- iand iwithin-row ispacing iof
i
60 icm. iThe ivegetable itransplanter iwas iefficient ifor iplanting isoil iblock iseedlings iof
i
tomato, ieggplant, iand ichilli ipepper iwith iplant iheights iof i13–17, i11–15, iand i10–14
i
cm iwith i8–10, i4–6, iand i8–10 ileaves, irespectively. iCost iof isoil iblock iseedlings
i
accounted ifor i77%–83% iof itotal icost iof imechanical itransplanting. iThe ivegetable
i
transplanter ihas ithe ipotential iof isaving i83%–85% iof itime iinvolved iwith iseedling
i
establishment iand i66%–69% ilabor iinvolved iin iconventional itransplanting iin

i
market igardens. iMechanical itransplanting idecreased inumber iof idays ito iharvest,
i
with itotal iyield islightly ihigher ithan ithat iof iconventional itransplanting. iThe
i
vegetable itransplanter iholds ipromise ifor iuse iin imarket igardens iand ismallholdings
i
for ifaster itransplanting, iearlier igrowth, iand ihigher iyield iof ivegetables.
i
 The itraditional iplanting imethod ifor irice iis imanual itransplanting iwhich irequires,
including ipulling ithe iseedlings ifrom ithe inursery, iabout i25–50 ipeople ito icomplete i1
i
ha/day i(Dawe, i2005). iBroadcasting ihas ibecome ipopular iin isome iMekong
i
countries ias iit irequires imuch iless ilabour ithan itransplanting i(Fukai i& iOuk, i2012).
i
 An iexperimental isingle-row iautomatic itransplanter ithat idrops ibare-plug iseedlings

from ishipping imodules iinto istatic icassettes, ithen iinto irotating idibbles ithat iplant
i
them, iwas itested iin ithe ifield. iTests iwere iperformed iat iconstant irates ifrom i60 ito
i
300 iseedlings iper iminute, iusing isets iof i60 ior i100 ipepper ior itomato iseedlings. iAll
i
seedlings iwere itransplanted icorrectly iat i30 icm iintervals iin imany iof ithe itests. iShort,
i

sturdy iseedlings iare irequired iby ihis itransplanter. iFuture iresearch ishould iinclude
i
varying irates iof itransplanting, iincreasing ithe inumber iof iseedlings iplanted iin ieach
i
test ixun, iadding ithe icapability iof isome iself-monitoring iby ithe itransplanter, iand
i
providing ifor istart-ups iafter iinterrupted ifeeding iof iseedlings iby ierrors ior iendof- irow
i
stoppages
i
 Transplanting imachines icontinue ito ievolve. iMost iare ihand-fed, ibut iintroduction iof
electronics iand icomputers ionto ifield imachines imakes ipossible iautomatically-fed
i
transplanters. iThe irecently iintroduced iModel i5000 ifrom iMechanical iTransplanter

i
Co. ihas ielectronic iand icomputer icapability. iGraphical ianalysis iof iseedlings
i
moving ithrough ithe imachine iunder igravity ishows ithat, iwith isome ichanges, ithe
i
machines icould ibe iautomatically ifed iat iseveral itimes ithe irate ithat ithey iare ihand
i
fed. iConfirmation iof ithese iresults irequires ithat ifield imachines ibe ibuilt iand itested.
i
 Establishing ivegetables iin ithe ifield iusing imechanical itransplanters iwith ionly iplant
metering idevices irequires itransplants iwith iheavy isoil iblocks iaround ithe iroots. iAn
i
investigation iwas iconducted ito istudy ithe ieffects iof iamount iof ivermicompost iin ia
i
soil-based ipotting imix iand iinitial icompaction iof ithe imix ion igrowth iof iseedlings iand
i
soil iblock istrength ifor imechanical itransplanting. iSeedlings iof iTomato i(Solanum
i
lycopersicum iL.), iEggplant i(S. imelongena iL.), iand iChili ipepper i(Capsicum
i
frutenscens iL.) iwere iproduced iin itwo iseasons iin iplastic iplug itrays iwith ia ipotting
i
medium iin iwhich ivermicompost imade iup i20%–50% iby ivolume iin i60 iand i100 icc
i
tray icells. iPotting imix iwith i20% ivermicompost iby ivolume iin isoil iin i100 icc icells
i
produced igood igrowth iof itomato iand ichili ipepper itransplants iin iseason i1. iPotting
i
mix icontaining i20%–30% iand i20%–40% ivermicompost iin isoil iin i100 icc icells
i

produced igood igrowth iof itomato iand ichili ipepper itransplants, irespectively, iin
i
season i2. iPotting imix iwith i30%–40% iand i30% ivermicompost iby ivolume iin isoil iin
i
100 icc icells iproduced igood igrowth iof ieggplant iseedlings iin iseasons i1 iand i2,
i
respectively. iThe ieffects iof iinitial icompaction iof ipotting imix ion iwater irequirement,
i
plant iheight, iand isoil iblock istrength iwas istudied ifor ithe iproduction iof itomato
i
seedlings. iPotting imix iwith i30% ivermicompost iin i100 icc itray icells iand iinitially
i
compacted ito ithe idry idensity iof i0.88–0.90 ig·cm−3 iwas imost isuitable ifor iproduction
i
of iseedlings iof isufficient iheight iand isoil iblock istrength ifor imechanical
i
transplanting.
i
 Good iquality itransplants iare inecessary iso ithat iplants iwill isurvive iand iproduce iat
acceptable ilevels. iThe iefficacy iof ivermicompost ifor ivegetable itransplant
i
development ineeds ito ibe iclarified. iAn iinvestigation iwas iconducted ito iidentify ithe
i
mix iand ivolume iof ivermicompost-based ipotting imixes irequired ifor iproduction iof
i
good iquality itransplants iof itomato i(Solanum ilycopersicum iL.), ieggplant i(S.
i
melongena iL.), iand ichili ipepper i(Capsicum ifrutenscens iL.) iin ipaper ipots. iFive
i
levels iof ipotting imix imade iof ivermicompost:sand:topsoil iwith ithe ivermicompost
i
proportion iranging ifrom i20% ito i50% iwere iused. iPaper ipots imade iof i50 ig·m−2
i
recycled inewspaper iwith ivolumes iof i51, i65, i81 iand i100 icc iwere itested. iTransplant
i
quality iwas ievaluated iusing ia ifuzzy ilogic ibased ibiomass igrowth iindex i(BGI). iThe
i
performance iof ithe iBGI iand iroot:shoot iratio irepresenting imorphology iof iseedlings
i
just iprior ito itransplanting iwas icompared. iSeedlings icould ibe ibetter icategorized
i
using iBGI ithan ithe iroot:shoot iratio. iPaper ipots iof i65 icc iin ivolume ifilled iwith ia imix
i
of i25% ivermicompost, i100 icc iin ivolume ifilled iwith ia imix iof i50% ivermicompost, iand
i
81 icc iin ivolume ifilled iwith ia imix iof i33% ivermicompost, iin icombination iwith iequal
i
parts iof isand iand itop isoil iwere imost isuitable ifor iproduction iof igood iquality
i
transplants iof itomato, ieggplant, iand ichili ipepper, irespectively.

i

 An iinvestigation iwas iconducted ito iidentify ithe ibest icombination iof iproportion iof
vermicompost iin isoil-based ipotting imix iand ipot ivolume ifor ithe iproduction iof ipaper
i
pot iseedlings isuitable ifor imechanical itransplanting. iThe ibest icombination iof ithe
i
potting imix iand ipot ivolume iis ithe ione ithat iproduces iseedlings iwith ihigh igrowth iof
i
root iand ishoot ibiomasses iat ithe iend iof iseedling istage, ilow iin icost iand ilight iin
i
weight. iCubical ishaped ipaper ipots iof i50 icm3 ivolume ifilled iwith ipotting imix iof i25%
i
vermicompost iand i75% isoil iand isand iin iequal iproportion iby ivolume iwas ifound ito
i
be ibest ifor ithe ilarge iscale iproduction iof ipaper ipot iseedlings iof itomato, ieggplant,
i
and ichili ipeppers. iThe ipaper ipots iwere ifound ito ibe ifirm iat ithe iend iof iseedling
i
stage iand ivariations iin itheir idimensions icould ibe iaccommodated iin ifully iautomatic
i
transplanters iwith ihorizontal ichain iconveyor itype iseedling ifeeding iand imetering
i
devices.
i
 In iCambodia, idrills ideveloped ipreviously iat iCARDI i(Cambodian idrill iseeder) iwere
used ifor idemonstrations iin ivillages ieach iyear. iSubsequent ito ithe ifirst iseed idrill
i
demonstration iin iWS i2014 iwhen irainfall iwas iunusually ilow, i16 ifamers iin iTrapeang
i
Chak ivillage, iTrapeang iKranhung icommune, iTramkak idistrict, iplanted ialmost i30
i
ha iwith ithe iseed idrill. iFarmers iin ithe ivillage inormally iestablish irice ifrom
i
broadcasting, ibut ithe idry iconditions imeant ithat iit iwas ivery idifficult ito iestablish ia
i
crop ifrom ibroadcasting.

i
 In i2015, inine ifield idemonstrations iwere icarried iout iin iearly iwet iseason i(EWS) iin
Takeo iand iKampot. iThe iobjective iwas i(1) ito idetermine ithe idifferences ibetween
i
broadcasting i(farmer ipractice) iand iuse iof iseed idrill ion irice iyield iin ithe irainfed
i

lowland iarea iwith isome isupplementary iirrigation iand i(2) ito icompare ithe ieconomic
i
benefit ibetween ithe itwo imethods iby irecording iproduction icost. iAll ifield
i
demonstrations iwere idivided iinto itwo iplots iand ieach ifield iconsisted iof i(1) iCARDI
i
technology ipackage iincluding ithe iuse iof iCambodian iseed idrill iand i(2) ifarmer
i
practice iincluding ibroadcasting. iThe inine ifield idemonstrations i(two iin iPrey iKabas
i
district, ifive iin iTramkak idistrict iand itwo iin iBateay iMeas idistrict) iin itwo iprovinces
i
were iconducted iusing iChul’sa ivariety. iPlant idensity iwas idetermined i3 iweeks iafter
i
planting. iSimilarly, ifour ipairs iof ifields iwere icompared iin i2017 iEWS.
i
 When idrill iwas iintroduced ito iTrapeang iChak ivillage, iTakeo iin isouthern iCambodia
in iWS i2014, ithe iseason iwas ivery idry iand iwithout iirrigation iwater. iAmong i16
i
farmers iwho iused ithe idrill, itwo ifarmers ifailed ito iproduce iany iyield, ibut iremaining
i
14 ifarmers iproduced iover i10 it iof ipaddy iwith ia imean iyield iof i3500 ikg/ha.
i
Apparently iabout i80% iof ifarmers iin ithe ivillage itried ito iplant irice iby ibroadcasting
i
and iall ithese icrops ifailed, iindicating ithe iusefulness iof ithe iseed idrill iunder idrought
i
conditions. iThe icrop iestablishment iwas ibetter ithan ibroadcasting iand ialso iweed
i
control iwas iless iof ia iproblem.

i
 The itransplanter-produced igrain iyield ithat iwas ion iaverage i16% i(614 ikg/ha), iwas
lower ithan imanual itransplanting iacross iall ifields iin ithree iseasons iin iLaos.
i
However, ithe irelative iyield iof icrops iestablished iwith itransplanter ito ithat iof imanual
i
establishment imethods iin ithe isame ifarm iand iseason ivaried igreatly, iand ithe iyield
i
was ias igood ias ithat iof imanual itransplanting iin iTung ivillage. iThis imay ibe irelated ito
i
the ifact ithat ithe iowner iof ithe itransplanter iin ithis ivillage iwas ivery ifamiliar iwith ithe
i
operation iof ithe itransplanter ias ihe ihas iused iit ievery iseason isince i2012.
i

 Most iof ithe ivegetables ilike icucurbits, ibeans, iokra iand ileafy ivegetables iare isown
directly iin ithe ifield. iVegetables ilike itomato, ieggplant iand ipeppers iare ifirst isown iin
i
nursery ibeds iand ilater itransplanted imanually ieither ion iridges ior ion ia iwell
i
prepared iseedbed. iMost iof ifarmers ihave ismall iland iholding iand ihave imuch ibelow
i
living istandard. iIt iis ivery idifficult ifor ithem ito ihave icostly iagricultural imachinery iand
i
equipment. iTherefore idevelopment iof isuch iequipment iis inecessary ito iovercome
i
this iproblem iwhich iis ieasy ito itransplant ithe ivegetable iand ialso ilabour iand itime
i
saving. iGore iet ial. i(1987)

i
 According ito iBala iIbrahim iand iIshak iWan iIsmail, ian iIRRI iseed itransplanter ican
transplant iup ito i4-6 irows, iit iis imanually ioperated iby iputting iit iin ithe ifield iand iwith ia
i
handle ipush idown ito ipick iseeds iand ito ithe inext iposition. iIt ialso icontributes ito
i
production iup ito i81% ito ireduce ithe itime iand icost iof ithe iproduction
i
 Bala iIbrahim isaid ithat ishifting iof imanual itransplanting iinto ia imechanical
transplanting ihelps ithe ieconomic iproductivity iand iits iincome.
i
 Ishak iIsmail ialso iprove ithat iusing iof imechanical itransplanting ican ibe iincreased ithe
exposure iof icrops ito isunlight iand iit iwill iresult ifor ithe ineed iof iseeds iand ifertilizers. i
i
 The idimension iof iseedling iplay ivital irole ito idecide ithe idiameter iof iseedling idelivery
tube, iheight iof ijaw iand iapex iangle. iCanopy iof iseedling iis iconsidered ito idecide ithe
i
diameter iof iseedling idelivery itube. iThe iaverage isize iof icanopy iis irequired ito iavoid
i
clogging iin ihollow ipipe. iThe iheight iof iseedling ishould inot ibe imore ithan i20cm iand
i
seedling iage iform i30-40 idays iis ipreferable ias ithe iheight iat ithis istage iranges ifrom
i
10-15 icm i(Malunjkar iet ial., i2014).

i

 For imanually ioperated iimplements, ithe ihandle iis ione iof ithe imost iimportant
components iwith iwhich ithe ioperator icontrols iand iguides ithe iimplements iproperly
i
during ifield ioperations iand ithe iheight iof ithe ihandle iof ithe itransplanter ifrom ithe
i
ground ishould ibe idesigned isuch ithat iduring ioperation ithe ioperator istands ierect ias
i
far ias ipossible ito ireduce imusculoskeletal idiscomfort i(Dewangan iet ial., i2008).
i
 The iheight iof ithe ihandle idepends ion ielbow iheight i(standing). iIt iis isuggested ithat
the ielbow iflexion iangle ishould ibe iin ithe irange iof i85-110° i(Grandjean, i1988).
i
Elbow iheight i(standing) ivalue ifor ithe i5th ipercentile iand i95th ipercentile iof iuser’s
i
population iwas i94.9 icm iand i108.6 icm, irespectively. iTaking ielbow iflexion iangle ias
i
101.69° ifor ithe iusers, ithe iheight iof ithe ihandle iwas idetermined ias i89 icm ionthe
i
basis iof iuser’s ipopulation, ito iaccommodate ilarger

i
 Shaw i(1996) ideveloped ia islide icrank imechanism ito igive ia ihot idibble, ihole iburner
an iappropriate icycloidal imotion. iShaw i(1997) ideveloped ian iautomatic
i
transplanting ivegetable imachine iwith ithe itransplanting irate iof i7000 iplants iper
i
hour iper irow iunit.

i
 Based ion iKarthnielAlaprad ithe iused iof itransplanter istarts ion i1960, ibut iit iwas inot
efficient ienough ifor ithe iexisting iyears ibecause iit iso ihappen ithat ieven iit ihas ilessen
i
the iman ipower ibut idecrease ithe iwork idone iby ithe itransplanter. iSo ihe iacted ion iit
i
by idesigning ia inew ione ithat iresult ito ia imore iefficient itransplanter.

i
 Based ion iKarthnielAlaprad ithe iused iof itransplanter istarts ion i1960, ibut iit iwas inot
efficient ienough ifor ithe iexisting iyears ibecause iit iso ihappen ithat ieven iit ihas ilessen
i
the iman ipower ibut idecrease ithe iwork idone iby ithe itransplanter. iSo ihe iacted ion iit
i
by idesigning ia inew ione ithat iresult ito ia imore iefficient itransplanter.

i

 Zhao iZuoxi iand iJin iJundong istudies iimprove ithe iperformance iof ia itransplanter iby
adding ia ihall isensor iby icounting ithe iseeds ithat iwere iplanted. iIt ican ialso iset ithe
i
number iof iseeds ito ibe iplanted iand ithe idriver iwill iautomatically iplant ithe inumber iof
i
seeds ito ibe iplanted.

i

CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
In designing and fabricating this mechanical seed injector a flow of methods has
to be used the design of the said prototype. First of all, all the plans have to be charted.
This acts as a guideline to be followed so that, the final model meets the requirement
and time could be managed. This would determine the efficiency of the prototype to be
done. Analyzing and regulating these steps are very important as each of it has its own
standards to be followed. START
Introduction

The flow chart starts with the introduction. Here, the introduction is first to plan
the prototype. The researchers had this for understanding the prototype and the
Literature Review
research title, for them to make synopsis, objectivism and scope of work, problem
statement and planning. Concept
Once the introduction is done, the supervisors request for the understanding of
Selection
the project. Also, literature review on the title is done through covering all the aspects of
the prototype. The content of this research are via internet and books. Essential
Method
information related to the prototype is gathered for referencing.
In the concept of the prototype, the researchers used manual sketching which is
DetaResult and
kept to be reviewed. Sketch is a 2-dimensional for it to be more understandable. The
DiscussDocume
sketching is first step for the researchers used of time.
Fabrication
The designs and concepts are reviewed and recalculated to fit the best
dimensions and performance of the mechanical seed injector. After the sketching,
design considerations have been madeAnalysis
and designs have been chosen.
After draw is done, the prototype proceeds to the next step that is fabrication.
Result andisDiscussion
The finished drawing and sketching used as a reference by the following
measurement and type of materials needed. The fabrication process involves cutting,
Conclusion
welding, drilling, bending and other. After every step in the fabrication, the parts are
check to make sure that the output of Document
the process reaches the prototype’s standards.
END

DRAWING
 Sketching: All ideas for the mechanical seed injector fabrication are sketched on
the paper to ensure that ideas selection can be made after the design is done.
Design 2 was followed in fabrication.
DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS:
PARTS MATERIAL SIZE QTY. PRICE
1.Pipe GI Pipe 36in. 1 Php 30
2. Handle GI Pipe 8.5 in. 1 Php 20
3. Lever Flat bar 7 in. 1 Php 10
4. Flat Bar Flat Bar 29 in. 5 Php 30
5 Hand Grip Silicon 8 in. 1 Php 50

Other Materials include in fabrication:
Welding Rod (0.5 kg) 50 Php
Cutting Disc (2 pcs) 50 Php
Buffing Disc (1 pc) 50 Php
Big Spring (1 pc) 5 Php
Small Spring (1 pc) 9 Php
Flat Washer (1 pc) 2 Php
TOTAL COST = 301 Php
Note: The following price of pipe above are scraps prices.
If we decide to make it commercially available, we can get a supplier where we

can get a lot of pipe supplies.
PARTS MATERIAL SIZE QTY. PRICE
1.Pipe Carbon 3/4 “ 1 Ton $305 or Php

Seamless diameter 15,250
Pipe
Flat Bar Steel Rod 1” width 400 kg $340 or
Php 17,000
Hand Grip Silicon 8 in. 1 $20 or Php
piece(min. 1000.00
1000 pieces
of order)
Other Materials include in fabrication:
Welding Rod (1 tons) 75,000 Php

Cutting Disc (1000 pcs) 25,000 Php
Buffing Disc (1000 pcs) 25,00 Php
Big Spring (1 000 pcs) 3000 Php
Small Spring (1,000 pcs) 3000 Php
Flat Washer (2 000 pc) 2000 Php
TOTAL COST = 166, 250 Php
To know the price of every injector;
The mass of every injector : 1.6 kg
Mass of Pipe every injector : 1 kg
Mass of flat bar needed : 0.4 kg
Others : 0.2 kg
PIPE
In every ton of Pipe we can fabricate a total seed injector of;
Assume a 10% loss in pipe weight = 1,000 kg - (1,000 kg x 0.10)
Mass of pipe = 900 kg
In every ton of Pipe we can fabricate a total seed injector of = 900 kg/ 1 kg per
injector
No. Of Injector can Fabricated = 900 pieces
FLAT BAR

In every ton of flat bar we can fabricate a total seed injector of;
Assume a 10% loss in flat bar weight = 400 - (400 kg x 0.10)
Mass of flat bar = 360 kg
In every ton of flat bar we can fabricate a total seed injector of = 360 kg/ 0.4 kg
per injector
No. Of Injector can Fabricated = 900 pieces
So we can assume that;
Price per piece of injector = Total Price / Pieces can fabricate
= Php 166,250 / 900 pieces
= Php 184.72 per piece
FABRICATION PROCESS:
After the step for designing the mechanical seed injector, fabrication
process takes place. These processes use material selection and make the
product, based on the design and by followed the design dimension. Methods
that are going to use for the fabrications are welding, cutting, bending, grinding,
drilling and many more methods. Fabrication is a process to make only one
product rather than manufacturing process was used at the whole prototype
production.
PROCESSES INVOLVED:

 Gathering of Materials
 Measuring and Marking
 Cutting of Materials
 Drilling
 Welding

CALCULATIONS ON SEED INJECTOR:
Spring
Small Spring Specifications use as Extension Spring;
Wire Diameter = 2 mm
Outer Diameter = 16 mm
Free Length = 84 mm
Type of Materials = Hard Drawn ASTM
By the “https://www.thespringstore.com/spring-calculator.html” on their free online
spring calculator;
Specifications calculated;
Rates & Loads

Spring Rate (or Spring constant), k : 1.8048 N/mm
Maximum load possible, Fmax : 139.0968 N
Maximum load possible Considering Hook
115.3009 N
Stress, FmaxHS :
Initial Tension, Tensioninit : 25.0475 N
Safe Travel
Maximum Safe Travel, Travelmax : 63.1934 mm
Maximum Safe Travel Considering Hook
50.0084 mm
Stress, TravelmaxHS :
Physical Dimensions
Diameter of spring wire, d: 2.000 mm
Outer diameter of spring, Douter : 16.000 mm
Inner diameter of spring, Dinner : 12.000 mm
Mean diameter of spring, Dmean : 14.000 mm
Length Inside Hook (Free length) , Lfree : 84.000 mm
Number of active coils, na : 32.000
Body length, Lbody : 66.000 mm
Hook length 1: 9.000 mm

Hook length 2: 9.000 mm

Total Hook Length: 18.000 mm
Type of Hooks: machine hooks
Spring index, C : 7.000
Material Type
Hard Drawn ASTM
Material type:
A227
Weights & Measures
Weight of one spring, M : 0.0377 Kgs
Weight of one thousand springs, M : 37.7111 Kgs
Length of wire required to make one
1,495.3981 mm
spring, Lwire :
Stress Factors
Material shear modulus, G : 79,236,434,108.527 Pa
Maximum shear stress possible, tmax : 751.804 Pa
Wahl correction factor, W : 1.213
Long Spring Specifications use as Compression Spring;

Wire Diameter = 2 mm
Outer Diameter = 16 mm
Free Length = 84 mm
No. Of Coils = 150
Type of Materials = Oil Tempered
By the “https://www.thespringstore.com/spring-calculator.html” on their free online

spring calculator;
Specifications calculated;
Rates & Loads

Spring Rate (or Spring constant), k : 0.193 N/mm
True Maximum Load, True Fmax : 41.070 N
Maximum Load Considering Solid Height, Solid
5.198 N
Height Fmax :
Safe Travel
Potential True Maximum Travel w/ Longer Free
213.326 mm
Length, True Travelmax :
Maximum Travel Considering Solid
27.000 mm
Height, Solid Height Travelmax :

Minimum Loaded Height : 153.000 mm

Physical Dimensions
Diameter of spring wire, d: 1.000 mm

Outer diameter of spring, Douter : 8.000 mm
Inner diameter of spring, Dinner : 6.000 mm
Mean diameter of spring, Dmean : 7.000 mm
Free length of spring, Lfree : 180.000 mm
Number of active coils, na : 150
Number of total coils, nT : 152
Solid height, Lsolid : 153.000 mm
Type of ends: closed & squared
Spring index, C : 7.000
Distance between coils, Coilpitch: 1.180 mm
Rise angle of coils: 3.07 Degrees
Material Type
Oil Tempered MB
Material type:
A229
Weights & Measures
Weight of one spring, M : 0.0206 Kgs
Weight per one thousand springs, M : 20.6481 Kgs
Length of wire required to make one
3,342.6546 mm
spring, Lwire :
Stress Factors
Material shear modulus, G : 79,241,245,136.187 Pa
Maximum shear stress possible, tmax : 887,906,844.214

Wahl correction factor, W : 1.213
Soil
Types of Soil = Loam
Volume of Soil moved = 0.5 Liter ( actual)
Specific Gravity = 3 (maximum)
SG = Density of Soil / Density of water

SG = ρsoil / ρwater
m / 0.5liter
3= 1kg / liter
msoil = 1.5 kg(max)

F = W = mg = 1.5 kg x 9.81 m/s2
F = 14.715 N
Chapter IV
Data and analysis
Field of performance evaluation

Testing of the developed manual seed injector was evaluated in Cabcaben,

Mariveles, Bataan, the researchers prepare the soil suitable for the manual seed
injector, Height and top width of ridge was 15 cm and 5 cm. The length of ridge was 36
in length. The number of seedlings transplanted were recorded by stop watch and
transplanting rate, field capacity, field efficiency, labour requirement, cost of operation
and saving in labour and cost was calculated by standard formula and methods. The
developed machine was tested in 0.045 ha area for each method and corn, okra, string
beans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin, patola seeds of days old raised. Average seeds
height was 7cm. Portrays were irrigated one day before the transplanting. Formula used
to evaluate the performance of the vegetable seed injector are as follows.
But we used corn for our field performance evaluations.
Seedlings delivered - the seedlings delivered per minute were calculated by observing
the average time required for transplanting two seedlings in second, the formula of
which is given as:
Seedlings delivered/min = 15/t
Where, t= average time required for transplanting one seedling
Speed - The effect of field condition on speed of operation of manual seed injector was
observed by following relation for both plants spacing.
Speed45, km/hr. = 0.45(no. of seeds/min)
Speed60, km/hr. = 0.6(no of seeds/min)
Field efficiency - Field efficiency in percentage was calculated by taking the ratio of
actual field capacity to theoretical field capacity. The theoretical speed of operation was
considered as 0.7 km/h.
Cost of operation
The labour charges were considered as php 52.25/h. Hence the labour cost required
(php) for one-hour transplanting was calculated by multiplying man hours required for
transplanting in one-km area with 52.25(Department of labor and employment)

Time saving over manual transplanting

The time saving over manual transplanting in terms of percentage was calculated using
following ratio.
𝑀𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟
TSmt = 𝑀𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑏𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔
Where, TSMT = Time saving over manual transplanting
Calculations
Using Manual Seed Injector
Time = 1 min
No. of Seeds = 15
Seedling/ min = 15seeds / 1 min
= 15 seeds/min
Speed45 =15(0.45)
= 6.75 m/min = 0.405 km/hr.
Speed60 = 15(0.6)
= 9 m/min = 0.54 km/hr.
Field Efficiency45 = 0.405 / 0.7(theoretical field speed)
= 57.85%
= 77.14%
Cost of operation (php/km)45 = 52.25 / 0.405

= 129 php/km
= 97 php/km

Using Manual Panting

Time = 3 mins
No. of Seedlings = 15
Seedling/ min = 15seeds / 3 mins
= 5 seedlings/min
Speed45 = 5(0.45)
= 2.25 m/min = 0.135 km/hr.
Speed60 = 5(0.6)
= 3 m/min = 0.18 km/hr.
= 19.28%
Field Efficiency60 = 0.18/ 0.7(theoretical field speed)
= 25.71%
= 387 php/km
= 290 php/km
Time saving over manual transplanting
0.405−1
TSmt(45) =
0.135−1
= 33.33%
0.54−1
TSmt(60) =
0.18−1
= 33.33%
Results and Discussion

Field performance results of developed transplanter are presented in [Table-1]

with the comparison to traditional method of transplanting. The number of seedlings
transplanted with manually operated vegetable transplanter and manual transplanting
were 15 seeds. Number of seeds delivered per min with manually were 8 and with hand
held transplanter were 15 raised bed, respectively. Time required to transplant 15 seeds
with the developed transplanter was 1 min, while it took 3 mins with manual
transplanting on raised bed.
Speed of operation attained with the transplanter during the testing was 0.405
km/h and 0.54 km/h, whereas in case of manual transplanting it was 0.135 km/h and
0.18 km/h with seedling spacing of 45 cm×45 cm and 60 cm×60 cm respectively on
raised bed. Field efficiency of the device was 19.28% and 25.71% on raised bed for
seedling spacing of 45 cm×45 cm and 60 cm×60 cm respectively. Time saving with
hand held transplanter was 33.33% on raised bed over manual transplanting.
Manual Transplanting Using Transplanter

Parameters 45cm 60cm 45cm 60cm
Seedlings/ min 5 5 15 15
Speed (km/hr.) 0.135 0.18 0.405 0.54
Field efficiency 19.28 25.71 57.86 77.14

(%)
Cost of 387 290 129 97
operation(php)
Time saving 33.33 33.33

over manual
transplanting
(%)
Table - 1
‘
Chapter V
Conclusion

Although manually seed injector is successful and commercially available in

Philippines, its use is limited to very large farmers due to its high cost. Few designs of
low cost manually operated seed injector have come up as a result of intensive
research work carried out by various research agencies. In this context a project was
undertaken with the objectives of identifying the deficiencies in the design of manual
seed injector. The drawbacks in the manual seed injector were identified through its
field testing and from users of manual seed injector. The main deficiencies were related
with the complicated design of screw tray indexing mechanism, high weight and poor
transportability device. And the design of the spring is it can handle the load from the
soil.
Appendices

References:
Alam, S.S. (1974).Design and Development of a Manual Seed Injector .B.Tech.Thesis;
I.I.T., Kharagpur.
Datt, P (1995). Development and Evaluation of Manually Operated Seed Injector.
J.Agric. Engg. 19 (3-4): 21-26. Garg, I.K and V.K. Sharma (1985). Design, development
and evaluation of PAU riding type engine operated Seed Injector using mat type
seedlings.Proc.ISAE SJC 1 (II): 57-64.
Garg, I.K., and V.K. Sharma (1989). Comparative evaluation of different methods of
raising mat type seedlings AMA.20 (4):27-30. I.K., V.K. Sharma and J.S. Mahal. (1997).
Development and field evaluation of manually operated 6-row seed injector . AMA,
28(4):2124. Kurup, G.T. and P. Datt (1981). Rice transplanters, Technical Bulletin No.1,
CRRI, and Cuttack.
Mahapatra, R. (1973). Annapurna Transplanter.Philippine Farming, 23(8):11-15.
Birthal, P.S., Joshi, P.K., Thorat, A. (2007), Diversification of Indian agriculture towards
high value crops: the role of small holders. Discussion Paper 00727, International Food
Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
Anonymous. (2004), Chapter 9 and 10, Data Book for Agricultural Machinery Design.
pp: 339-396, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), Bhopal-462038, India.
International Journal of Agriculture Sciences
Nandede, B.M. and Raheman, H. (2016), A Tractor drawn vegetable transplanter for
handling paper pot seedlings. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa, and Latin
America 47(4):84-92.
Haffar, I. (1995), Design and field evaluation of a low-cost crop manual seed injector
with multiple seedlings feed. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and america.


Comparative Study of Manual Seed Injector

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Bataan Heroes College- College of Engineering and Architecture

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

February 27, 2020

Mr. Arnold P. Vergara

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Background of the Study

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

because of its superior corrosion resistance, ease of maintenance and pleasing

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Statement of the Problem

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Objectives of the Study

Significance of the Study

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Scope and Limitations

Note on the Chapter I

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Related studies and literatures:

transplanting iand ibroadcasting. iThe imechanical itransplanter ihas ibeen icommonly

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

establishment iand i66%–69% ilabor iinvolved iin iconventional itransplanting iin

 An iexperimental isingle-row iautomatic itransplanter ithat idrops ibare-plug iseedlings

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

transplanters. iThe irecently iintroduced iModel i5000 ifrom iMechanical iTransplanter

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

transplants iof itomato, ieggplant, iand ichili ipepper, irespectively.

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

crop ifrom ibroadcasting.

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

control iwas iless iof ia iproblem.

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

saving. iGore iet ial. i(1987)

10-15 icm i(Malunjkar iet ial., i2014).

Manual Seed Injector

Department of Mechanical Engineering

basis iof iuser’s ipopulation, ito iaccommodate ilarger

hour iper irow iunit.

by idesigning ia inew ione ithat iresult ito ia imore iefficient itransplanter.

by idesigning ia inew ione ithat iresult ito ia imore iefficient itransplanter.