2023 AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

BOARD EXAM REVIEWER

TESTING AND EVALUATION

OF AGRICULTURAL
MACHINES
by

Engr. Alexis T. Belonio, MS

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer
ASEAN Engineer

Volume 4 – Agricultural Mechanization

Disclaimer

Photos, illustrations and schematic diagrams of equipment or machine parts are shown in the
presentation solely for educational purposes to facilitate comprehension of the topics by the students.
Showing them does not endorse a product nor imply criticism of similar products not mentioned.
 INTRODUCTION
☐ Analysis of the behavior of a machine compared with the
well-defined standards under ideal and repeatable
conditions.
☐ Performance of the machine parts itself like speed, forces,
functional capacity, power requirement, etc.
☐ During the development stage, it is a process by which the
quality of the machine is enhanced before it undergoes into
final stage prior to commercialization. It is also done to
verify the machine specification before it is finally adopted
for use.
 Evaluation of Agricultural Machines

☐ Involves the measurement of machine performance under real

farm condition.
☐ Performance of the machine in relation to its environment.
☐ Usually testing done in actual field condition as affected by
parameters such a topography, climate, etc.
☐ Operational conditions, acceptability by the farmers, and many
other variables are considered in this testing.
 Testing and Evaluation are basically
conducted to:
1. Determine whether the machine parts
function as designed or not;
2. Observe and gather information on the
specific performance of machine parts;
3. Determine parts of the machine that need to
be modified or improved;
4. Determine the overall performance
(technical and operational) of the machine;
5. Prepare the machine specifications;
6. Determine whether machine performs
according to the specification set by the
manufacturer; and
7. Compare the machine with other similar
machines in terms of technical, economics,
social, and environmental acceptability.
 CATEGORIES OF TESTS
1. At the stage of development – Tests conducted during the design
stage, proto-type development, manufacturing stage, as well as
the experiences of users.

2. For the potential beneficiaries – Test conducted for the benefit of

potential users of the machine, to control import in terms of
quality and services offered, to protect the economy, to ensure
safety, and to assess environmental impact.
 KINDS OF TESTS
1. Verification Test – Test carried out to determine whether the
claims of the manufacturer/supplier of the machine conform
with the actual data and test results. I is also done for
verification of specifications.
2. Acceptance Test – Test conducted to determine the machine
to be supplied is acceptable for use by clients/beneficiaries
based on the performance standard.
3. Routine Test - Test carried out on each and every part of an
equipment to check the specifications which are likely to vary
during production.
Running In Period - Preliminary operation of the machine to
make necessary adjustments prior to the conduct of test until the
operation is stable.

Test Rig - Customized device in which all the instruments are set
to facilitate testing of a machine.
Notes:

(1) In testing agricultural machines, as

prescribed in the PAES standard of test,
it should be operated by manufacturer’s
representative.
(2) In testing agricultural machines, the first
thing that the engineer must do is to get
acquainted with the construction and
operation features of the machine.
(3) Suspension of Test – when machine
breaks down or malfunctions during the
test, the testing may be suspended at
the discretion of the Test Engineer and
concurred by the manufacturer’s
representative.
 MEASUREMENT

1. Measurement of parameters is the essential part of any testing

to be done.
2. The accuracy of measurement will depend on the particular
procedure and sophistication of test instruments used.
3. SI units are universally accepted units in measurement.
 BASIC MEASUREMENT
1. Time – sec generally used with other parameters.
2. Mass – grams of grains, seeds, soil, fertilizer, etc.
3. Dimension – working area, field dimension, depth of soil, etc.
4. Revolutions – shaft rotation, wheel rotation, etc.
5. Temperature – ambient air, flue gases, etc.
6. Relative Humidity
7. Pressure
8. Electrical (volts and ampere, hertz)
9. Gas Compositions (CO, H2, CH4, CO2, O2, etc.)
AMTEC – Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center.
This is the premiere and reference testing center of agricultural and
fisheries machinery in the Philippines located at the University of
the Philippines at Los Banos, College, Laguna.

- It aims to promote a self-reliant agricultural and fisheries

machinery industry that would cater to and safeguard the interest
of Filipino farmers and fisher folks.
 Derived Measurement

1. Area (m2, ha, etc.)

2. Volume (m3, liters)
3. Force (kg, lb)
4. Pressure (psi, inches water, mm mercury)
5. Speed (linear, rotational)
6. Torque (kg–m)
7. Work and Power (kg/m-sec)
8. Rate of Work
9. Rate of Flow (kg/hr, cubic meter /hr, etc.)
10. Fuel Consumption (liters//hr)
11. Rate of Application (kg/ha)
12. Input (kg of raw material/hr)
13. Output (kg of processed material/hr, etc.)
14. Heating Value ( Lower and higher heating value)
 Measurement Techniques, Tools
and Instrument

1. Distance for field measurement – is measured by determining

the length of two points with the use of tape measure or
Engineer’s Transit using stadia method.
2. Dimension of Machine Parts – is measured by means of a
push-roll tape, Vernier caliper for thicknesses as well as inside
and outside diameters of pipes.
3. Time – using stop watch or by the use of alarm clock.
4. Temperature – using ordinary glass bulb thermometer for low
temperature measurement, bimetallic and capillary thermometer
for slightly high temperature measurement, or with thermocouple
wire sensor thermometer for high temperature. Thermocouple
wire with shield are usually used for a very high temperature of as
much as nearly a thousand degree C. Infrared thermometer can
measure surfaces, if needed.
5. Pressure – This is measured using manometer for most low
pressure measuring test. High-pressure measurement is done
with pressure gauges as well as for measuring vacuum
pressure. For high pressure, units as in psi or kg/m2 or in
Pascal. Vacuum gauge uses in. or mm mercury.
6. Relative Humidity – Simple measurement using two glass bulb
thermometers, one with wet wick and the other none, can
determine the relative humidity of the ambient air. The
temperature measured by the thermometers gives the RH with
the use of psychrometric chart or appropriate formula. There
are instruments readily available which can be used for
measuring RH.
7. Speed of Machine – This can be determined once the distance
and the time required to traverse the field are known. Dividing
the distance with the travel time gives the speed of the machine.
Usually, km/hr is used for field testing.
8. Stream Velocity – This can be measured using flow meter to
directly determine the velocity of flow or simply by means of float
method for a certain floating device to traverse a certain
distance.
9. Wind Velocity – This is commonly used in measuring the
velocity of air approaching the wind rotor of a wind machine.
Cup-Type Wind Anemometer or a propeller-type wind
anemometer used in measuring wind velocity. They are locally
available from test instrument suppliers.
10.Gas Velocity – Usually determined in duct or gas piping to
determine the volume of gas passing through a pipe of duct.
Thermo-anemometer are often used for measurement. It gives
the velocity of the gas passing through a known area, in m/s.
This instrument is only good for low-temperature measurement.
For high-temperature measurement, it needs to use a pitot tube
to determine the velocity pressure which can be converted to
just the velocity of gas in the duct.
9. RPM of Shaft – For slow-rotating shaft, this is done with the
use of a counter that determines the number a shaft rotates at a
given time period. For high-speed shaft, this is done with the
use of a tachometer, either contact-type or non-contact-type
meter.
10.Input and Output Voltage – For electric motors and generators
to determine the electrical pressure (Volts) of the lines.
11.Input and Output Current – For electric motors and generators
to determine the current flow (Amps) in the lines.
12.Hertz – For electric motors and generators to determine the
frequency of the electrical line whether it conform with the
standard frequency of 60 Hz in the country or 50 Hz in other
countries.
 Commonly Used Test Instruments

☐ Stop Watch ☐ Thermo- ☐ Weighing

- Start-up time Hydrograph Scale
- Operating time - Ambient air - Weight of rice
- Retention time temperature husk fuel
- Ambient - Initial and final
relative weight of
humidity paddy
☐ Triple Beam ☐ Spring Scale
Balance - weight of rice
- weight of husk fuel to be ☐ Platform Scale
subsample used for the - weight of paddy to
milled rice for gasifier be dried
head rice - weight of paddy
recovery after drying
analysis
☐ Anemometer ☐ Tachometer ☐ CO Meter
- Velocity of air - Rotational speed of the - CO emitted to
at the fan of rotary cylinder the surrounding
the cooler - Shaft speed of elevator of the dryer
- Shaft speed of eccentric facility
☐ Manometer ☐ Thermo- ☐ Thermometer ☐ Thermo-
- Pressure anemometer - Temperature in Couple Wire
drop at the - Velocity of air the gasifier and - Sensor for
reactor at the grain in the dryers the
- Pressure cooler - Grain thermometer
drop at the temperature
oscillating at different
grain cooler points in the
dryer
☐ AC Clamp ☐ Infrared ☐ Dial-Type thermometer
Meter Thermometer - grain temperatures
- input current - temperature ▪This is inserted into the
to the inside the bags of grains in order to
motors rotary cylinder get the reading.
- line voltages - temperature of ▪Not as quick as the
grains infrared thermometer or
the thermocouple-wire
sensor thermometer in
getting the reading.
☐ Moisture Meter ☐ Grain Moisture ☐ Gas Analyzer
- percentage Meter - composition of the gas
amount of water - moisture content from the gasifier reactor
in rice husks of paddy entering ▪This includes CO, H2,
▪It is much easier and leaving the CH4, CO2, O2, CnHm.
to use in getting dryer ▪From the values obtained
MC of rice husks. for gas composition, the
heating value of the gas is
automatically computed by
this instrument.
☐ Thermal
Camera
- determines the
parts in the
dryer-gasifier
system that
have high
temperature.
☐ Power Quality Analyzer

This measuring instrument is used to

continuously monitor and analyze electricity
lines for disturbance which can disrupt the
reliable delivery of energy or cause damage to
equipment plugged into the grid. It is important
for the overall safety and efficiency of a facility’s
power supply. Example is rice mill, feed mill,
etc. It is plugged-in to determine the rate of of
electrical transfer between the power source
and a sink expressed in energy per second. It
determines the power flow and related factors
such as grounding and harmonics.

Parameters includes current, voltage, power,

frequency, phase, harmonics, etc.

Source: Power Quality Measurement and Analysis Basics. https://www.ecmweb.com/power-quality-

reliability/article/20900856/power-quality-measurement-and-analysis-basics
 TEST REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME
AG MACHINES

Machine Requirement
Power Tiller For wetland test, file must be soaked for 24 hours; filed must not be less
than 500 m2 with field ratio of 2:1 and plowing depth of 10 cm +/- 1 cm.
Seeder and Planter Plain and level surface shall be used; not less than 500 m2 for manual and
1,000 m2 for power operated.
Mechanical Rice Area must not be less that 1,000 m2 with sufficient headland for turning;
Transplanter field sides 2:1; 5 sampling test areas for rice transplater are needed.
Combine Harvester Area should not be less that 500 m2 with field side ratio of 2:1.

Rice Thresher Use commonly grown variety; mc 24% and below; straw length 45 to 50
cm; grain to straw ratio 0.50-0.65; 2 trials with minimum of 15 min per trial;
material must be sufficient for at least 1 hour.
Heated Air Mechanical Initial mc is 20% and above; Milling of samples at least 48 hours after
Dryer drying with mc of 14%.
Rice Mill Samples must be sufficient for at least 1-1/2 hour continuous operation for
single-pass and 3 hours for multi-pass rice mills; at least 3 trials with
duration of 30 min and 1 hour for SP and MP rice mill, respectively;
 TESTING RICE THRESHER

n Actual Capacity – is the

threshing output collected per unit
time.

n Blower Loss – is the ratio of the

weight of collected grains blown
with the straw to the total grain
input, expressed in percent.

n Clean Threshed Grains – is the

threshed grains with 100% purity,
exclusive of empty grains.

n Cracked Grains – are grains with

partially fractured endosperm.
Pictorial of Testing Rice Thresher
n Cylinder Diameter – is the
effective diameter of the circle
generated by the outermost
points of the cylinder threshing
elements.

n Cylinder Peripheral Speed –

is the equivalent linear speed
of the outermost point of the
cylinder during threshing
operation.

n Grain Content – is the weight

ratio of grain to harvested crop
under the same moisture
content of 20%, expressed in
percent.
 Actual Capacity

Ca = Wg / Tt

where:
Ca - actual capacity, kg/hr
Wg - weight of threshed grain, kg
Tt - threshing time, hr
 Total Losses

Lt = Lb + Lse + Lu + Lsc

where:
Lt - total losses, kg
Lb - blower loss, kg
Lse - separation loss, kg
Lu - unthreshed loss, kg
Lsc - scattering loss
Blower, Separation, Unthreshed,
Scattering losses

% Lb = 100 Lb / (Ct+Lt)

% Lse = 100 Lse / (Ct+Lt)

% Lu = 100 Lu / (Ct+Lt)

% Lsc = 100 Lsc / (Ct+Lt)

where:
Cl - clean threshed grain, kg
A rice thresher was tested in threshing
freshly harvested rice. Tests have shown
that 2000 kilos of palay was threshed in 3
hours time. The amount of loss gathered
were as follows: blower loss is 90 kilos,
separation loss is 200 kilos, unthreshed
loss is 50 kilos, and scattering loss is 120
kilos. What are the percentages losses of
the threshing equipment? What is its
threshing capacity in kg per hour?

Given:
Weight of threshed palay - 2000 kg
Threshing time - 3 hours
Blower loss - 90 kg
Separation loss - 200 kg
Unthreshed loss - 50 kg
Scattering loss - 120 kg

Required: Percentages losses and threshing capacity

Solution:

Total Losses = 90 kg + 200 kg + 50 kg + 120 kg

= 460 kg

Blower Loss = 90 kg x 100 / (2000 kg + 90 kg)

= 4.3%

Separation Loss= 200 kg x 100 / (2000 kg + 200 kg)

= 9.1%

Unthreshed Loss = 50 kg x 100 / (2000 kg + 50 kg)

= 2.4 %

Scattering Loss = 120 kg x 100 / (2000 kg + 120 kg)

= 5.6%

Threshing Capacity = 2000 kg / 3 hours

= 666.67 kg/hr
 REFERENCES

☐ Power Quality Measurement and Analysis Basics.

https://www.ecmweb.com/power-quality-
reliability/article/20900856/power-quality-measurement-and-
analysis-basics

☐ Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards.

☐ Smith, D.W., Sims, B.G. and D.H. O’Neill. Testing and Evaluation
of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment: Principles and practices.
FAO Agricultural Service Bulletin 110. Rome 1984. 288pp.
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
1. Critical assessment of a
machine or of a process under a
given set of operating conditions.
a. Value engineering
b. Testing and evaluation
c. Pre-design stage
d. All of the above
2. Criteria used in evaluating the
performance of a machine.
a. Machine and operator’s
performance
b. Reliability of machine and cost
of operation
c. Environment and safety
d. All of the above
3. In testing agricultural machines,
as prescribed in the PAES standard
of test, it should be operated by
_____.
a. farmers
b. manufacturer(s) representative
c. accredited testing organization
d. None of the above
4. Preliminary operation of the
machine to make various
adjustments prior to the conduct of
test until the operation is stable.
a. Functionality Test
b. First Test
c. Running-In Period
d. None of the above
5. During testing of agricultural
machines, thermometer sensors
should be partially shielded to
minimize _____.
a. mechanical damage on
thermometer sensor
b. error on the effect of heat of
radiation
c. error from heat of conduction
from wall of the machine
d. None of the above
6. During the test of agricultural 9. Based on the PAES standard,
machines, shaft speed is measured milling test of samples in testing a
using _____. mechanical grain dryer should be
a. speedometer conducted at least ____ after drying.
b. velocity meter a. 24 hours
c. tachometer b. 48 hours
d. None of the above c. 36 hours
d. None of the above
7. Instrument used to measure the
draft of a plow. 10. Test carried out on each and
a. Dynamometer every part of an equipment to check
b. Spring scale the specifications which are likely to
c. Pressure gauge vary during production.
d. All of the above a. Acceptance test
b. Routine test
8. Holding capacity of a mechanical c. Inspection
dryer during testing, as prescribed by d. None of the above
PAES, should be based on the _____
of the sample and other 11. Sensing instrument made of two
accompanying information such as dissimilar wires used to measure the
moisture content and purity. temperature of air in a dryer.
a. volume a. Thermometer wire
b. weight b. Thermocouple wire
c. density c. Thermo wire
d. None of the above d. All of the above
12. Interval of time measurement of test 15. Grain-straw ratio for samples to
parameters in a heated-air mechanical be used for testing a mechanical rice
grain dryer, as specified in the PAES Test thresher should be at _____ range.
Method. a. 0.35 to 0.50
a. 15 minutes b. 0.50 to 0.65
b. 30 minutes c. 0.65 to 0.80
c. 45 minutes d. None of the above
d. 60 minutes
e. None of the above 16. Required water temperature in
testing pumps.
13. Minimum number of trial(s) required in a. 10°C and below
testing heated-air mechanical grain dryer, b. 10° – 40°C
as specified in the PAES. c. 40° - 60°C
a. One d. None of the above
b. Two
c. Three 17. Pressure drop of air-moving
d. None of the above devices is usually measured using a
_____.
14. Maximum moisture content of grains a. pressure gauge
to be used in testing mechanical threshers b. pitot tube
should not be more than _____. c. manometer
a. 18% d. None of the above
b. 24%
c. 28 %
d. None of the above
18. Amount of material needed in 21. Minimum area required for testing
testing a thresher should be enough a power-operated seeder.
to run the machine for at least _____ a. Not less than 100 m2
hour. b. Not less than 500 m2
a. 1/2 c Not less than 1000 m2
b. 1 d. None of the above
c. 2
d. All of the above 22. Minimum operating time required
for testing a power tiller without
19. Recommended test material for breakdown and malfunction.
testing a rice thresher should have a. 1 hour
_____ straw length. b. 5 hours
a. 30 to 45 cm c. 8 hours
b. 45 to 50 cm d. None of the above
c. 50 to 65 cm
d. None of the above 23. Minimum number of hours
required in testing rice threshers
20. Minimum permissible noise for based on PAES standards.
power tillers. a. 0.5 hour
a. 85 db b. 1 hour
b. 92 db c. 2 hours
c. 98 db d. None of the above
d. None of the above