TKP3501 | Agricultural Mechanization & Irrigation

Assignment 1

Question #1: - 15 marks

A combine harvester was deployed in order to help with the harvesting operation in rice production. A
combine harvester for rice is having 400 cm cutter bar is operated at an average speed of 10 km/hr.

I. Calculates the theoretical field capacity of the combine? If we assumed the field efficiency of the
combine is 80 percent, what is the effective field efficiency? {3 marks}

10× 4
TFC =
10
= 4 ha/hr

10× 4 × 0.8
EFC =
10
= 3.2 ha/hr

II. If 10% time is lost in turning, loading and unloading, calculate the harvested area in 5 hours, and
the farm machinery index (FMI). {3 marks}

10× 4 × 0.9
EFC =
10
= 3.6 ha/hr

Harvested area in 5 hours = 3.6 × 5

= 18 ha

Total time lost = 0.1 × 5 × 60

= 30 mins

300−30
FMI = ×100
300
= 90%
III. What can be expected when the speed is reduced by half from the initial speed? {2 mark)

5× 4
TFC =
10
= 2 ha/hr

5× 4 × 0.8
EFC =
10
= 1.6 ha/hr

The TFC and EFC will also be reduced by half, hence, the machine will only be able to cover a
much smaller area per hour at a slower pace causing more time to be taken to complete the
process. The total yield might also be affected as it can be reduced or no change.

IV. Briefly explain, how you can improve the actual field efficiency? {3 marks}

 Maintain the effective width - reduce overlap during harvesting, and minimized the
overlap by operating the machine at effective width to avoid clogging in the combine
harvester system
 Operate at optimal travel speed - need to maintain at optimal or recommended travel
speed, to minimize the grain loosed at the same time try to archive highest EFC
 Reduce the loss time - reduce the time for cornering, loading and unloading and
breakdown / rest tide, Reduce the turning during such operation, Possible make a non -
stop and follow the perimeter of the field
 Upkeep the machine before the operation to avoid any breakdown in the fold. Standard
of operation- The combine harvester required a regular cleaning after each operation.
 Pre-plan the harvesting operation to optimize the time and area coverage
 Unloading the yield on-the-go with the help of a tractor and trailer.

V. List down four factors that contributed to the low efficiency during such operation. {2 marks}
a. Machine – Breakdown, stop for loading and unloading.
b. Operator – Efficiency, effectiveness, human factors.
c. Terrain – Undulating terrain.
d. Landscape/Soil – Soft soil.
e. Crop – Type of crop, method of harvesting, the yield of crop.
f. Field pattern – Contour shape, elevation.
g. Speed of machine.
 h. Soil texture – It will affect the soil bearing capacity (ability of wheel to have traction to
the soil).
VI. If we assume the field is perfectly square, calculate how many paths of the combine made to
harvest the crop? Please give a brief explanation. (Tips: consider the area and the width of the
combine). {2 marks}

Area covered under 90% FE is 18 ha.

We know that 1 ha = 10 000 m 2, thus equals to 180 000 m 2.
18 ha
424.26m Hence, for a square field √ 180 000 = 424.26 m2.

424.26
Therefore, = 106.06 paths or ~ 106 paths.
424.26m
4
Question #2: Refer to the excel data - 15 marks
A data from yield monitoring was used to log the information about the machine performance during
the harvesting operation. The time for each of the operation was automatically recorded using the GPS
data set. Therefore, from the data provided, the operator will be able to know the machine efficiency
and the field machine index for the purpose of improving the farm machinery management. Using the
data provided in the excel sheet;

I. Calculate the simple statistic of the parameters in the table. {3 marks}

II. What is the average between times in actual vs theoretical operation time and the average of
the FMI for this machine? {2 marks}

 Average between times in actual vs theoretical operation time = 2.40

 Average of the FMI for this machine = 96.23%.

III. Plot the graph between the total turning time vs FMI for this machine. In the graph, state the
formula of the best fit of regression line and {5 marks}
IV. From the equation, what is the FMI index at turning time of 0.05, 0.2 and 0.8 sec. Discuss your
finding. {5 marks}

Using the formula:

y = -17.084x + 99.078

At x = 0.05 sec
y = -17.084(0.05) + 99.078
y = FMI
= 98.22

At x = 0.2 sec
y = -17.084(0.2) + 99.078
y = FMI
= 95.66

At x = 0.8sec
y = -17.084(0.8) + 99.078
y = FMI
= 85.41

The FMI index decreases as the turning time increases as more time is lost causing the machine
to be less productive.