Development of Farm Machinery for Porosity of Soil
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Abstract
The objective of this research was to develop an ergonomic human-powered agricultural tool for soil tillage. The methodology comprised four stages: 1) selecting existing human-powered tillers used for land preparation, weeding, and cultivation; 2) designing and constructing a prototype based on the mechanical principles of the wheel and axle, wedge, and lever; 3) field testing the prototype; and 4) refining the tool based on ergonomic indicators. The results indicated that the hoe was the most commonly used traditional tool among farmers, which was subsequently developed into the prototype by integrating the three aforementioned mechanical principles. This integration effectively improved soil structure by crushing small stones and clods, thereby reducing the farmers' physical workload. Ergonomic assessment involved 25 parameters based on human-tool interaction, categorized into four body regions: the wrist, lower arm, upper arm, and trunk. Regarding the mechanical advantage (M.A.) of the developed tool, the values were recorded as 0.415 and 0.616 for general use and pulling, respectively. Notably, the mechanical advantage during the pushing phase reached 3.286, while other configurations yielded M.A. values of 1.85 (pushing) and 0.515 (pulling). The development of this ergonomic tiller significantly minimizes physical strain and operational time, allowing farmers to work longer and more efficiently. The application of the wheel, axle, and wedge systems to enhance mechanical advantage is a crucial factor in transitioning from labor-intensive farming to tool-assisted agriculture, ultimately leading to increased productivity and higher income for farmers.
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