Design and Development of a Tractor-attached Non-chemical Weeder

Abstract

Sugarcane is an important economic crop in Thailand. Farmers face challenges in weed control due to the limitations of chemical herbicides, which pose health and environmental risks, as well as mechanical methods that are constrained by field conditions and timing. This research aimed to design and develop a tractor-mounted weed control machine utilizing flame and hot water, and to evaluate its performance in sugarcane fields. Two factors were tested: three levels of forward speed and three nozzle heights (10, 20, and 30 cm). Results indicated that the flame-based system, with a nozzle height of 10 cm and a forward speed of 8.89 km/h, achieved the highest weed control efficiency at 100% within 7 days after treatment. The maximum temperature at the sugarcane base reached 48.75°C, while soil moisture decreased by 0.14%. The field capacity was 0.40 rai/h, and the field efficiency was 66.77%. LPG consumption was 10.29 kg/rai, with a break-even point of 12.19 rai/year and a payback point of 67.19 rai. Meanwhile, the hot water system, with a nozzle height of 10 cm and a speed of 8.41 km/h, achieved a maximum weed control efficiency of 93.40% within 7 days. The maximum temperature at the sugarcane base was 33.5°C, while soil moisture increased by 0.35%. The field capacity was 0.40 rai/h, and the field efficiency was 71.27%. LPG consumption was 15.14 kg/rai, with a break-even point of 30.48 rai/year and a payback point of 167.95 rai. These findings suggest that the flame-based weed control machine provides greater efficiency and economic feasibility, making it more suitable for weed management in sugarcane fields.