Optimizing Carrot Harvesting Machine Design: Incorporating Soil and Crop Parameters

Abstract

Mechanization in carrot harvesting is essential to save time and reduce labour-intensive work as well as harvesting costs. The aim of the study was to determine the soil properties and plant parameters for designing an appropriate carrot (cv: Madhuvan) harvesting machine, that would address the challenges faced by farmers. The physical characteristics of the soil and carrot plants significantly influence the design of the digging, conveying, de-topping, and collection units. These parameters include the digging depth, blade angle, forward speed, plant catch height, conveyor belt spacing, conveyor speed, and collection unit size. The mean values of shoot length, root length and shoot diameter at top of carrot were 62.5 cm, 26.5 cm, and 3.72 cm, respectively. The average weight of carrot root was 61.85 g. The mean values for spacing between ridges, height of ridge and width of ridge were 44.3 cm, 12.1 cm, and 42.8 cm, respectively. The mean number of carrots per meter row length was observed as 41. The black cotton soil with a mean moisture content of 19.77% (d.b.) at the harvesting stage of carrot, and its bulk density measured 1.31 g cm-3, while the average value of soil resistance was 2153.5 kPa. By utilizing this data, the machine's design can be fine-tuned to ensure effective digging performance while minimizing any potential damage to the carrot roots during the harvesting.