 Source used for farm operation

 Tractive work – seed bed preparation, cultivation,

harvesting and transportation
 Stationary work- silage cutting, feed grinding,
threshing, winnowing and lifting of irrigation water.
 Sources of Farm Power
A. Human Power:
 Main sources of power for operating small tools and
implements and also needed for mechanical tools.
 According to Campbell (1990), HP = 0.35 – 0.092 log t
Where, t is time in minute (if 3- 4 hr continuous work)
 HP = 0.11, HP = Push (kgf) × Seed (m/s) ÷ 75, take S as 0.8
m/s, then push = 10.5 kgf
 Advantages: Easily available and used for all types of
work.
 Disadvantages : Costliest power compared to all other
farms of power
 Very low efficiency, requires full maintenance when not
in use and affected by weather condition and seasons.
 Rural labor shortages and have had to develop and use
machines to complete tasks on time
B. Animal power :
Most important source of power on the farm all
over the world and particularly in Nepal
 Oxen and caribou or buffalo are the most popular
animal power source for agricultural practices although
horses, donkeys, mules and camels are used in many
countries for transportation.
 Nearly 80% of total draft power used in world is still
provided by animals.
 Average draft for animal is equal to one tenth of its body
weight.
 Power developed by an average pair of bullocks is about
1 hp for usual farm work.
Advantages:
1. Easily available.
2. Used for all types of work.
3. Low initial investment.
4. Supplies manure to the field and fuels to farmers.
5. Live on farm products
Disadvantages:
1. Not very efficient.
2. Seasons and weather affect the efficiency.
3. Cannot work at a stretch.
4. Require full maintenance when there is no farm work.
5. Creates unhealthy and dirty atmosphere near residence.
6. Very slow in doing work.
C. Mechanical power
 Used mechanical divice for converting fuel into useful
work.
a) Tractors ( 4WD or 2-WD): 20, 20- 30, 31-40 and above 50
hp
 used for pulling or pushing agricultural machinery or
trailers, for plowing, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting, and
similar tasks.
 Tractors engine use as a prime mover for active tools and
stationary farm machinery through power take-off shaft (PTO)
or belt pulley.
 Four-wheel tractors can be divided into 3 categories:
1. Two wheel drive,
2. Front wheel assist or unequal four wheel drive and
3. Equal four wheel drive tractors.
1. Two wheel drive Tractor:
 commonly used tractors in dry or upland farming
situations and for transportation.
 Range in size from 15-200 HP and need 80% of the
weight distributed over the rear axle to maximize
traction
 Capable of delivering 45-50% of their rated engine
power at the drawbar.
 Advantage of this type of tractor over others
• Smaller turning circle
• Simplicity of design
• Fewer mechanical parts, and
• Lower purchase price.
 Most popular 4 wheel tractor used in rice production.
 These tractors range in size from 15-250 hp
 Capable of delivering between 50-55% of the rated
power at the drawbar
 Name suggests the front drive tires and are smaller
than the rear tires
 Front wheel drive should be used at all times when the
tractor is working in the field. If not at least 10% efficiency
will be lost.
 One 80 tractor is capable of ploughing 7-8ha per day or
1 ha/hr and 1kW (1.33 hp) of engine power will need 0.25
liters of fuel/hour.
 Major advantages
 It can deliver 10% more power to the ground for
the same fuel consumption, and has much better
traction and flotation capabilities than 2 wheel
tractors of the same size.
 Major disadvantages
 Has more mechanical failures, displays unequal tire
wear front to rear and is less maneuverable than a 2
wheel drive tractor.
 Inability to work in very wet and muddy conditions.
3. Equal Four Wheel Drive tractors (4WD)
 Four tires are almost equal size and range in size from 34-
600HP power rating.
 These tractors should be ballasted with 60% of the weight
distributed over the front axle and 40% over the rear axle.
 Has the greatest power to weight ratio and can deliver
between 55-60% of power at the drawbar.
 Very few of these tractors are used in rice production in
Asia because of their large size, greater turning radius and
purchase price
b) 2-wheel tractors or Power Tiller.
 Also called the walking tractor, iron buffalo, steel buffalo
or hand tractor, are used in many countries.
 Have a forward mounted engine which is counterbalanced
by the equipment attached behind the two drive wheels.
 Operator walks behind the tractor.
 Are powered by 5-16 hp gasoline or diesel engines and
are fitted with either rubber tires or steel cage wheels.
 Independent drive clutch as well as individual steering
clutches or brakes incorporate . Three forward and one
reverse working gear are most common,
 Attachments are used with it as the moldboard plough,
the disc plough, harrows and rotovators.
 One 12 HP tractor is capable of plowing 1 ha/day, and
fuel consumption is range from 2 to 5 l/hr
Advantages:
Multi-purpose vehicle
 Operate in harder conditions than animals or humans
 Operate in both wet and dry conditions
 Fairly simple mechanical design
Disadvantages:
 Cost of owning and operating
Operator fatigue, although ride-on versions are now
available
c) Oil Engine (Diesel engine and Petrol engine)
 Efficiency of diesel engine varies between 32 and 38% and
carburetor engine (Petrol engine) is in the range of 25 and
32%
 Normally, stationery diesel engines are used for pumping
water, flour mills, oil grains, cotton gins, chaff cutter,
sugarcane crusher, threshers and winnowers
d) Self Propelled Combines
 Advantages of Mechanical Power.
 Efficiency is high and not affected by weather
Requires less space and cheaper form of power.
Disadvantages: Initial capital investment is high; fuel
is costly and repairs and maintenance needs technical
knowledge.