Development and Testing of Dynamometer Attachment between the Loading Cart and the Tractor

Abstract

Farm Power is an essential input in agriculture for timely field operations for operating different types of farm implements. During last 55 years the average farm power availability in India has increased from about 0.30 kW/ha in 1961 to about 2.24 kW/ha in 2017. The source of farm power includes human, animal, tractors, power tillers, diesel engine and electric motor. Information about the availability of these power sources under time-series is very essential in planning and prediction level of farm mechanization. For increasing productivity of dry land agriculture which constitute about 66% of the cultivated area in India, timeliness in farm operations is essential especially for seedbed preparation and sowing operations for establishing good crop stand in deficient/ receding soil moisture content. Tractor power on farm will continue to be an absolute necessity for increased agricultural production. Efficient performance of the tractor–implement system includes selection of the implements that neither overload nor fail to use adequate power available from the source. This emphasizes the importance of proper matching of power available from the source with that utilized by the implement, particularly for tillage operations where the nature of work is hard. The satisfactory performance of the tractor-implement system is dependent upon the stability of the operation, power of the engine and traction developed. An attachment was developed to attach the spring dynamometer of capacity 2000 kg between the tractor and the loading cart. The developed frame was tested with two spring dynamometer of capacity 2000 kg each and the maximum spring deflection was measured. The frame was tested by applying loads gradually and accordingly spring deflections were measured. The maximum spring deflections at 1900 kg load were measured as 30 and 27 mm, respectively for new and old spring dynamometer.