Research and Development of an Off-Set Rotary Cultivator Implementing with a Small Four-Wheel Tractor for Fruit Tree Cultivation

Abstract

An off-set rotary cultivator implemented with a 22 hp four-wheel tractor for fruit tree cultivation was designed and developed. The rotary cultivator was off-set about 1 m from the outer rim of the right wheel. The cutting width of the rotary cultivator was 155 cm. The rotary cultivator drum had eight flanges to mount the blades. Six C-L type blades were fitted on each flange. Results from the test in mango orchard (plant density 32 tree/rai) with 540 rpm PTO speed and 150 rpm rotor speed indicated the field capacity of 0.97 rai/hr. with 1.22 km/hr. traveling speed. Field efficiency was 83.64%. Weeding efficiency was 96.09%. Power requirement of the rotary cultivator was 5.07 hp.