Research and Development of Rotary Puddler for Secondary Tillage In Irrigated Paddy Field

Abstract

A rotary puddler implementing with a small four - wheel tractor (27 hp) was designed and developed for secondary tillage in irrigated paddy field by the Institute of the Agricultural Engineering Research. The rotary puddler has used to increase a filed efficiency and decrease a labour shortage. The rotary puddle is attached with tractor by using 3 point linkage. The power from PTO shaft was transmitted to 35 hp rotary gearbox (ratio 1.46:1) by mean of chain and sprocket (ratio 1.7:1). The rotor speed was 218 rpm at the PTO speed of 540 rpm. The cage wheel type was used. The cutting width of the rotary puddler was 2.40 m. The rotary puddler drum had five cage wheels to mount the blades. Eighteen triangular type blades were fitted on each cage wheel. The cage wheels were located to attain a spiral from of the blade to prevent from cutting soil in the same time. The tests were conducted in an irrigated paddy field at Banpong district, in Ratchaburi province. The primary tillage was operated by tractor that attached rotary and remained the water for 2 days. The tests were conducted with PTO speed of 540 rpm in the first pass and 700 rpm in the second pass. Results from the test of first pass of 2.27rai/h with 2.15 km/h traveling speed. Field efficiency was 70.27%. Fuel consumption was 1.97 l/rai and second pass indicated the field capacity 3.67 rai/h with 3.68 km/h traveling speed, field efficiency 69.61%, fuel consumption 1.31 l/rai, respectively. Power requirement of the rotary puddler was 16.95 hp in first pass and 19.46 hp in second pass. Pudding index was 52.24% in the first pass and 62.38% in the second pass.