CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A rice transplanter is a specialized machine fitted with a transplanter

mechanism (usually having some form of reciprocating motion) driven by the
power from the live axle, in order to the transplant rice seedlings onto paddy
field. Rice is a major food grain crop of world. Unlike upland row crops,
cultivation of low land rice crop is a labour intensive process. In spite of the
common belief of availability of surplus agricultural labour in India, there
actually exists a scarcity of skilled agricultural workers during the peak
transplanting seasons. If this operation is not done in time the yield goes down.
In view of this, there is an urgent need to mechanize this operation. The rice
translation process is generally manual which involves number of labour.

The process of manual rice transplantation is not so efficient as

compared to the mechanical rice transplantation. Machine transplanting using
rice transplanter requires considerably less time and labour than manual
transplanting. It increases the approximate area that a person can plant. The
distribution of food grain production which shows the rice production is major
in India.
Mechanism is needed to raise productivity in rain fed upland and rain fed
lowland and to increase cropping intensity in irrigated farms. Seed drills give
better plant population, reduce cost and give higher yields of rice. Use of pre-
germinated paddy seeders in puddled wetland condition give similar yield like
manual transplanting but reduce labour requirement by 75-80%. The manual
and self-propelled transplanter reduces cost of transplanting by 45-50%.

1
 CHAPTER 2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The major sector in Sri Lanka is Agriculture sector. Paddy is the main
crop in Agriculture sector. The net extent harvested in 2010 Yala season was
376,024 hectares and the total production was 1,671,054 MT and the net extent
harvested in 2010/2011 Maha season was 525,017 hectares and the total
production was 1,993,014 MT. The agriculture contribution to the national GDP
was 11.9 in 2010. About 1.8 million farm families are engaged in paddy
cultivation islandwide. The per capita consumption of rice fluctuate around
100kg per year. Rice demand will increase at 1.1% per year and to meet that
requirement rice production must grow at the rate of 2.9% per year.

The method of establishment of rice depends on

 Age of the variety


 Availability of moisture

 Climatic conditions

 Availability of inputs and labor

2.1 METHODS OF ESTABLISHMENT

There are two methods practices in establishment of paddy in Sri Lanka.
Those are Direct sowing / seeding and Transplanting

2
2.1.1 Direct sowing / seeding

There are two types

I. Wet seeding

Pre germinated seeds are broadcasted into puddled and leveled fields
which are free from standing water. At the time of puddling basal fertilizer
should be mixed. Irrigation should be done when seedlings are of about 5cm tall.
The stand establishment by this method varies with the quality of land
preparation, weed competition, water management and rainfall during the initial
period after sowing

II. Dry seeding

Ungerminated dry seeds are sown to dry soil either in rows or in random.
Seed rate generally vary with the severity of the environment and the type of
physical damages of the seeds. The seed rate varies from 150Kg/ha to 300Kg/ha
depending on the level of weed infestation in dry seeded rice.

Advantages of Direct seeding

 It requires less labor


 Direct seeded plants mature seven to ten days earlier than transplanted rice

 Well establishment of plant

 No transplanting shock to the plant

 Suitable method for short duration varieties

3
Disadvantages of direct seeding

 More seeds are required


 The seeds may be exposed to birds, rats and snails

 There is greater crop weed competition as rice and weeds are of similar
age

 Mechanical weed control is difficult

 Flood and drought can damage the seeds

2.1.2 TRANSPLANTING
In this method seed is sown in one place and the seedlings after they have
grown a little are transplanted to another. This is done in order to get higher
yields and less weeding. In Sri Lanka, the extent of transplanted rice is
decreasing due to the scarcity of labor, resources and reduction in cultivation of
4-4 ½ month rice varieties. Manual transplanting is labor intensive and requires
250 -350 man hours per hectare that is 25% of the total labor requirement of the
crop.

Paddy transplanting machine has problems of poor traction, sinkage and

steerability. Efficient working of self-propelled rice transplanter requires a
suitable puddled soil condition, optimum depth of peddling, degree of peddling
and soil strength of puddled field. Transplanting will reduce the ability to
withstand moisture stress. Transplanting is recommended for 4-4 ½ month
varieties and when 3month varieties are transplanted it should be planted with
young seedlings. It is recommended to transplant when land preparation is not up
to standard and water management is poor.

4
 CHAPTER 3
3. LITERATURE REVIEW

A rice transplanter is a specialized machine used to transplant rice

seedlings in the field. A common rice transplanter comprises:

 A seedling tray like a shed roof on which mat type rice nursery is
set.

 A seedling tray shifter that shifts the seedling tray like the
carriage of typewriters.

 Plural pickup forks that pick seedlings up from mat type nursery on
theseedling tray and put the seedlings into the earth, as if the
seedling were taken between human fingers.
Machine transplanting using rice transplanters requires considerably less
time and labor than manual transplanting. It increases the approximate area that a
person can plant from 700 to 10,000m2/day. Transplanting of paddy seedlings
can be categorized into three groups as follows:

1. By band (manual)

2. Manually operated machines (work by man power)

3. Mechanically operated machines (work by engine power)

3.1 TRANSPLANTING BY HAND

This method is good for small fields and to fill patches. Manual
transplanting does not require costly machines and is most suited for labor-
surplus areas and for small rice fields. Manual transplanting can be done in fields
with less than optimal leveling and with varying water levels. Seedlings are
raised in a wet, dry or modified mat nursery. Proper nursery management will
produce healthy, vigorous seedlings.

5
 Limitations:

 Transplanting is tedious and time-consuming (up to 30 man days /ha)


 Planting laborers can suffer from back problems(health risk)

 Difficult to get enough labor at peak periods to plant on time

 Difficult to maintain optimum spacing and uniform plant density,
especially with random transplanting and contract labor

 Low plant density with contract transplanting on area basis lowers yields

3.2 MANUALLY OPERATED TRANSPLANTERS

Manually operated translators are powered by man power. Operator has
to move with the transplanter and power the machine by hand. These machines
are small enough to operate manually. Various types of machines existing the
world. In Sri Lanka, mainly those machines are designed by FMRC (Farm
Mechanization Research Center at Mahailluppallama) and FMTC (Farm
Mechanization Training Center at Anuradhapura) targeting small scale farmers
in the country. The details of the 6-row paddy seedling transplanter introduced
by FMRC.

For transplanting mat type paddy

1. Function : seedlings.
Suitable for all transplanted type
paddy varieties.
2. Specification
Manually
i. Type : operated
6
1. Functions : For Transplanting mat type paddy
seeding. Suitable for all transplanted
type paddy varieties.
2. Specifications
i. Type : Manually operated
ii. Power : One operator and one labor to
transplant mat seeding
iii. Overall dimensions : 1230*1250*835
iv. Weight : 17kg
v. Capacity : 0.25ha/day

: One operator and one labor to

ii. Power transport mat

Requirement Seedlings
1230 x 1250 x
835
iii. Overall : mm
Dimensions
iv. Weight : 17 kg

7
 A rice transplanter is a specialized machine used to transplant rice
seedlings in the field. A common rice transplanter comprises:

 A seedling tray like a shed roof on which mat type rice nursery is set.
 A seedling tray shifter that shifts the seedling tray like the carriage of
typewriters.

Plural pickup forks that pick seedlings up from mat type nursery on the
seedling tray and put the seedlings into the earth, as if the seedling were taken
between human fingers.
Machine transplanting using rice transplanters requires considerably less
time and labor than manual transplanting.

3.3 COMPUTERISED IMPLEMENTATION

Figure 3.3.1 Computerised Implementation

8
3.4 ENGINE OPERATED TRANSPLANTERS
Engine operated translators are powered by engine. Operator has to move
with the transplanter or in some, the operator can sit on it. The walking behind
type engine operated transplanters are light enough to operate by one operator
and other type transplanters carry one or more labors to operate and to add mats
to trays. Engine operated transplanters manufactured by China, Japan, South
Korea, India and other industrialized countries are not suitable for the Sri
Lankan condition as the field condition sand spacing used by our farmers are
different and the cost of the machines are higher.

There are two type of engine operated transplanters exist

I. Walking behind rice transplanter

II. Self-propelled rice transplanters (Riding type)

9
 CHAPTER 4
RESEARCH PROBLEMS AND OBJECTIVES

4.1 RESEARCH PROBLEM

Mechanical transplanting of paddy seedlings is a solution to the prevailing
situation in the Sri Lanka to release the work force and to reduce the cost of
paddy production. Farmers are aware of the advantages associated with
transplanting of paddy over the broadcasting. But they are unable to practice it
for high scarcity of labor. Still the transplanting machines available for the
country are imported. Engine driven transplanters are high in cost and the inter-
raw, intra-raw spacing are fixed which are not suitable for the Sri Lankan
condition. Existing manually operated transplaners are inefficient. The main
reason for the poor acceptance was the law capacity of the machine. A simple
engine operated transplanter or manually operated transplanter having an
average capacity of one hectare per day would be a better solution.

4.2 OBJECTIVES
Main objectives in this study were to:

 Design a mechanism for transplanting paddy seedlings


 Test the performance of the transplanting mechanism












10
 CHAPTER 5

MATERIALS AND METHOD

5.1 MATERIALS

Following materials were used to manufacture the rice transplanting

mechanism:
 Iron strips
 Iron rods
 Bearings
 Sprocket wheels and chains
 Nuts and Bolts, Rivets
 Aluminum plates and rods
 Wood
 Springs

Equipments:
 Toolkit and Measuring Equipments
 Welding plant (Arc and Gas welding)
 Lathe machine
 Iron cutters, Benders, Drill, Grinders
 Saws (wood saw, Hacksaw)

5.2 METHOD OF DESIGN

This included designing of
 Planting unit
 Paddy seedling tray
 Power transmission system and attachments

5.2.1 DESIGNING OF PLANTING UNIT

When designing the planting mechanism following aspects were
considered:
I. Moving pathway
II. Plant catching mechanism
II. Depth of Planting

11
I. Moving pathway

Prototype design shown in figure 5.2.1, it was build using wood, nuts and
bolts and evaluated to get the required measurements. The design was simple
and with less number of moving parts. Free play became a problem when
shafting gets long.

Figure 5.2.1: Dimension of the planting arm

II. Plant Catching Mechanism

There are several parameters were considered in designing the

plant catching mechanism:

 Place of catching
 Number of plant per catching
  Distance of travel
 Releasing Point
 Tension on plants
 Angle of Planting
12
Distance of travel was calculated according to walking speed of a normal man.

Man walking speed = 1.5 km/ hour

=(1.5 km/
hour)*(1000m/km)*(1hour/60min)

=25m/min

Diameter of the ground =30cm

wheel

Perimeter of the ground =2πr

wheel

=2*π*30/2

=94.277cm

Distance of plants =25cm

Number of plants per one ground

Wheel rotation =3.77 ≈ 4

Planting arm shown in figure 5.2.2 made of flat iron. Fingers are welded
to the arm. Tension of the plant should be enough to catch the plants and to
prevent release until end point and not to damage the plant during the process.
Angle of planting was decided by tray feeding point angle and moving direction.

13
 Figure 5.2.2: Planting arm

III. Depth of planting

Planting depth is important for growth of roots and to stand with the
submerge condition. Planting depth was controlled using height adjustable
floater. Figure 5.2.3 shows the floater and planting arm at lowest position.

Figure 5.2.3: Planting Arm at lowering position

5.2.2 DESIGNING OF TRAY

Tray is to carry the dapog mat and to direct the plants to planting
arm. Basic factors (width, length, angle, speed of movement) were
considered in designing the tray mechanism. As two plant rows were
planted at once, the tray width was twice as plant space. Movement of the
tray per one planting of arm was decided by the volume taken away from
the planting finger at a time. The volume taken by finger depends on the
space of the finger jaw. Tray movement decides by the speed of ground
wheel rotation.

14
 The tray moving mechanism in figure 5.2.4, to make constant
feeding of dapog mat to the planting arm it should come down to the end
of the tray by gravity. Higher angle reduce energy requirement to feed the
dapog mat to transplanting arm while too much angle affect on falling
down and compaction of nursery at end of the tray making difficult to take
out the plants from the nursery by transplanting arm.

Length decided by the power given to the machine. Higher the

length of the mat makes higher the power requirement to carry the weight
of the mat. So to reduce weight of the machine tray length was reduced to
have optimum weight.

Upper view of holder

Side view of

Chain with the hook

Chain

Driven
wheel
Driving wheel

Figure 5.2.4: Tray moving mechanism

15
 Tray

Chain with

hook

Universal joint

Figure 5.2.5: Tray moving mechanism

5.2.3 POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND ATTACHMENTS

The power transmission system as shown in figure 5.2.6, it was decided to
have within row spacing of 25cm and plant four hills of seedlings per revolution
of the ground wheel. Therefore, speed ratio of 1:4 from ground wheel axial of
planting unit was needed. Therefore 47 teeth sprocket wheel was mounted on
the ground wheel axle and 17 teeth sprocket wheel was mounted on the planting
arms. Then, 17 teeth planting arm sprocket was connected to a 21 teeth sprocket
wheel by chains. 47 teeth sprocket was joined to 18 teeth sprocket wheel by
chains.

16
 GROUND WHEEL
SIDE PLANTING ARM SIDE

18 teeth sprocket wheel

Axel
17 teeth sprocket
Wheel

Figure 6: Power

Figure 5.2.6: Power

ansmission
Transmisto Planting Arm

Gear reduction between 47 teeth sprocket and 18 teeth

sprocket wheel = 47/18
=2.611
Gear reduction between 21 teeth sprocket and 17 teeth
sprocket wheel =21/17
=1.235
Total gear reduction between ground wheel to =2.6111+1.23
planting arm 52
=3.8463

Power transmission to ground wheel to planting arm was done by several

steps using sprocket and chains. Planting arm takes ≈1cm wide section from
bottom(mud part)of the dapog at a time. Therefore tray should move 1cm at each
cycle of planting arm. Tray move 20cm from one side to its position. Driving arm

17
rotates once to move 20cm of the tray. There for the gear reduction of the planting
arm and tray was 20:1.

Tray

Ground
wheel
Power transmission to
tray

Chains

Floater

Figure 5.2.7: Power transmission to tray

18
 CHAPTER 6
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING

6.1 GROUND WHEEL

It is wheel which is contact on ground. It mounted on driver shaft. Its motion
gives to the quick return mechanism through the chain drive. On the periphery of
this wheel, blade is mounted to achieve proper grip in mud.
6.2 SPROCKETS
The sprocket as shown in the figure 6.2.1, the main function of sprockets is to
transmit torque through chain. There are two sprocket-one drivers and other driven
mounted on respective shafts

Figure 6.2.1: Sprocket

6.3 CHAIN
The chain as shown in the figure 6.3.1, the function of chain is to transmit
torque from driver to driven sprockets. The chain is simplex type.

Figure 6.3.1: Chain

19
6.4 TRAY
The tray as shown in figure 6.4.1, this is used to store the rice plant from where
the planting finger pick the plant and saw in the ground. This tray has two vertical
guide slots.

Figure 6.4.1: Tray

6.5 PLANTING FINGER

The planting finger is the main element which is responsible for the
plantation of the nursery seed. It has the specific shape which picks the nursery
seed and plant in mud. It oscillates at certain angle and it is called as fixed fork
mechanism.

20
 CHAPTER 7
THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Rice is major food grain worldwide. Unlike upland row crops, cultivation of
lowland rice is tedious and labour consuming process. Conventional method of
cultivation involves growing nursery and transplanting the seedling manually in
the puddled soil. During the transplanting season, there is an acute shortage of farm
labourers. Acute labour shortages in the transplanting season and increased wages
of farm labourers have necessitated the mechanisation of rice transplanting. This
chapter deals with the theoretical considerations involved in the development and
testing of two row transplanter.

The two-row self propelled rice transplanter can plant two rows of rice at a
time. The transplanter is fitted with the 2.1 hp engine. Engine power is supplied to
gear box for speed reduction. From gear box, part of power is transmitted to
transplanting mechanism while other is transmitted for the forward motion of drive
wheel. The transplanter consist of various components like engine, float, gear box,
transplanting arm, rocker arm, tray, picking – cum - transplanting mechanism,
drive wheel etc.

Theoritical consideration is presented under following heads,

1. Prime movers for transplanting mechanism

2. Size of the machine
3. Plant Population
4. Drive wheel of two row transplanter
5. Forward speed of machine
6. Power requirement of machine
7. Design of drive wheel
8. Nursery raising
9. Soil condition

21
 10.Measurement of Parameters
7.1 PRIME MOVERS FOR TRANSPLANTING MECHANISM
Apart from saving in time and cost of transplanting which is very high in
manual transplanting, transplanter removes human drudgery and can give uniform
and desired plant density. Moreover, one can plant the crop in line at no extra cost
and make weeding and intercultural operation easier. Though attempts have been
made in different countries to develop a mechanical paddy transplanter so far
transplanters have been manufactured and successfully introduced only in a few
countries like Japan, Korea and China.
11.
Eight row riding type Chinese transplanter (make, Yanji Shakthi) worked
satisfactorily in Korean region. It has 2.9 kW air cooled diesel engine. The cost of
the machine (i.e. 1.6 lacks) and small plot size on hilly terrain are the limitations
for such machines. Hence, the small size machine possibly two row or four row
with engine lighter in weight with low machine cost, easily transportable is needed
to develop in this region

7.2 SIZE OF MACHINE

Transplanting of paddy is a highly labour intensive operation and is still
done manually. It has been observed that plant population planted by the
contractual labour is very low and it causes decrease in the yield.

22
 The 8 row self propelled rice transplanter using mat type seedlings has
advantages over the manual hand transplanting. The performance of the machine
was found highly satisfactory and could be recommended for adoption by farmers
(Mohanty et al., 2010). Also, it was tested in Konkan region. The average field
capacity of the machine was found 0.12 to 0.15 ha/h. The width of the machine
was 184 cm and able to maintain row to row spacing 23.8 cm and plant to plant
spacing 14 and 16 cm. The machine worked well in some of the regions of Konkan
where plot size is big.

7.3 PLANT POPULATION

The ultimate productivity of a crop is determined by plant population per
unit area. Low plant population may result in increased tillering which creates
more variation in panicle maturity, increased weed population and reduced yield
potential of the variety. High plant population may reduce yield and quality. The
paddy seedlings are planted at 20× 15 cm spacing (Anonymous, 2010). In one hill,
3-5 seedlings are planted. Fork spacing available in commercial transplanting arm
of transplanter has been considered to be 23.8 cm. Hence the machine developed
should give the required row spacing of 23 cm and plant spacing of 15 cm. The
yield of the crop fully depends upon the plant population. If machine is not able to
plant the seedlings at the required spacing, then plant geometry is to be adjusted
such that optimum plant population is maintained by the machine.

Transplanter should give 15 cm plant to plant distance which is basic

requirement to achieve during the development of two row paddy transplanter.

23
7.4 DRIVE WHEELS OF TWO ROW TRANSPLANTER
The developed wheels should be able to balance part weight of transplanter.
It should be able to plant the seedlings at required plant spacing. The wheels
developed should be able to run.

7.5 FORWARD SPEED OF MACHINE

Power tiller operated seven row paddy transplanter using conventional
seedling was comfortably operated at 0.9 to 1.2 km/h speed. Six row riding type
paddy transplanter (PAU design) with operating speed of 0.8 to 1.13 km/h results
in field capacity of 0.084 to 0.137 ha/h.

The eight row self propelled paddy transplanter at 1.4 km/h and 1.8 km/h
speed. For development of drive wheel of two row pulled type transplanter, the
forward speed is selected as 1.5 km/h.

The walk behind type two row and four row transplanter operated at forward
speed of 2.27 km/h and 1.76 km/h respectively gave the field capacity of 0.125
ha/h and 0.163 ha/h respectively. The higher speed also results into low plant
population of 23 hills/m2 (average) against recommended value of 33 hills/m2.

24
7.6 POWER REQUIREMENT OF TRANSPLANTER
The total power required for the transplanting mechanism is the sum for
power available required for removal of plant from nursery and power required for
forward motion of transplanter.

 Power available for removal for removal of plants from mat (Pr)

The power available for the removal of plant from nursery can be calculated
as given

below.
Power available required (Pr) = 2N g Tg

4500
Where,
Pr = Power available for removal of plant from nursery;
Ng = Output speed at gearbox;
Tg= Torque at gearbox.

 Power required for forward motion of transplanter

The rolling coefficient, weight of machine, width of drive wheel, diameter of
wheel are the influencing parameters for power requirement of the developed
transplanter.

0.049  0.287
Rolling coefficient,  =

Where,
M = Mobility number
M= CIbd/W

25
 Where,
CI = Cone index;
b = Width of drive wheel;
d = Diameter of drive wheel;
W = Weight on drive wheel, kg.

7.7 DESIGN OF DRIVE WHEEL

Diameter of wheel was determined using formulae. Considering the forward
speed of transplanter as 1.5 km/hr, diameter of wheel was determined.

 Let us take D as diameter of drive wheel in meter.

 Forward motion of transplanter, = ×D× Rotational speed of drive wheel

 Assuming 50% slippage in field during actual forward motion of

transplanter.

7.8 NURSERY RAISING

The system of growing the paddy seedling on plastic sheet is called mat
nursery. For transplanting operation using machine, a special kind of nursery is
prerequisite. It keeps the roots from touching the soil. Field plot should be selected
for the preparation of mat nursery over which plastic sheet is spread to be used as
nursery bed. The raised bed is prepared on levelled ground. The bed surface needs
to be compact and smoothen. Normally three raised beds of 10×1 m are required
for 0.4 ha land (1 Acre). Normally 5 kg seeds are required for one bed. The bed is
covered with the polythene sheet (150-200 gauge) with perforations and is spread
to serve as base. The frame size of 1 m × 1 m × 0.25 m is made with angle iron of

26
25 mm and 2 mm thick, is filled with prepared mixture of soil to the depth of 25
mm and levelled properly. The soil is moistened with water and sprouted seeds are
spread evenly in frame with hand.

After 21 days of sowing, the seedlings come to 3-4 leaf stage and are ready
for transplantation. The more seedling age results in more nursery height i.e. from
15 to 19 cm and average stem thickness from 0.10 cm to 0.14 cm. The number of
tillers/ hill also increases from 11.3 to 14.7. Hence, seeding age should be optimum
for picking 2 to 4 seedlings from the tray by the fingers.

7.9 SOIL CONDITION

It is generally known that soil conditions can significantly affect the
performance of transplanters. The transplanter can be successfully adopted under
those conditions where field conditions are favorable.

It also reported that when water level is less, the soil sticks with the wheels
and planting becomes difficult. When water in the field is more at the time of
transplanting, the seedlings are not fixed properly in the soil and start floating. The
depth of puddling should be shallow for proper working of machine. The soil
should be well puddled and well settled for better performance (Garg and Sharma,
1984).

Shallow tillage of 15-20 cm depth is recommended when the transplanter is

used in field. Depth of puddling maximum up to10 cm is recommended for
Japanese paddy transplanter (Singh and Garg, 1984). The soil flow can be avoided
in the levelled field after 48 to 72 hours of puddling.

Most critical factor is soil settlement period. Soil settlement period after
puddling varied from 1 to 4 days for proper functioning of different types of
transplanter. The 24 hours soil settlement time results into maximum number of
tillers (31/ hill) after 45 days of transplanting at silty loam calcareous soil of Pusa,

27
Samastipur (Chandra and Ram, 2003). Soil settlement period ranges from 24 to 72
hours in silt clay loam. The hill damage was found more in case of lower
settlement period of 24 hours for silt clay loam and 2 hours for sandy loam in
Punjab.

Hence, it is decided to go for shallow ploughing of 15-20 cm. The shallow

puddling will be done in the field and settlement period of 48- 72 hours will be
given before transplanting of mat type seedling in the field.

7.10 MEASUREMENT OF PARAMETERS

The theory involved in the measurement of soil and machine parameter is

presented as,

 Field efficiency

 Sinkage

 Puddling index

7.10.1 Field efficiency

The field efficiency is the ratio of the effective field capacity to the
theoretical field capacity, usually measured in terms of percentage.

7.10.2 Sinkage
The sinkage can be measured with the help of sinkage measuring apparatus.
The sinkage measuring apparatus consist of hollow circular cylinder. Scale is
marked on the outer side of the cylinder, which gives direct reading of sinkage.

7.10.3 Puddling index

The puddling index can be measured by collecting the soil samples from
various area of the field. The sample should be kept for settlement for 24-36 hours.

28
 CHAPTER 8

DESIGN AND ORIGINAL VIEW

8.1 DESIGN VIEW

Figure 8.1.1: Design View

8.2 ORIGINAL VIEW

Figure 8.2.1: Original view

29
 CHAPTER 9
COST ESTIMATION

SI NO CONTENT QUANTITY COST

1 Iron strip 2 300
2 Iron rod 4 800
3 Bearings 5 800
4 Sprocket 2 600
5 Nuts 10 100
6 Bolts 10 100
7 Wood 1 300
8 Springs 2 500
9 Aluminum Plate and 1 1000
Rod
10 Chain 1 1000
11 Total 5800

Table 9.1: Cost Estimation

30
 CHAPTER 10
RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Prototype mechanism was evaluated in the field, and it worked. There were
some points to be redesigned. Tray mechanism worked but the design should be
altered or improved. The tray move to both left and right directions while the tray
on a grove. That resulted high friction. Therefore it is better to have nylon bushes
and iron or aluminum rodsto reduce the friction. Tray moving mechanism made
using nylon sprocket wheel. As the tension is high in that chain the nylon sprocket
get damaged easily. It’s better to use iron sprocket with same diameter and number
of teeth to reduce the damage when tension is high. The sprocket and chain used
for the machine was foot cycle chains and sprockets. When machine is operated
the sprockets get damaged by bending the teeth. So it is better to have motorcycle
chains and sprockets to power transmission. But that will result an increase in
weight. Therefore, instead of chain and sprocket speed reducing mechanism, a gear
system should be used.

In this machine ground wheel supplies the power to operate transplanting

arm and tray mechanism. Pulling the machine will rotate the ground wheel.
Increasing the size and number of lugs (fins) around ground wheels will increase
contact area of the ground wheel with the field and make it easy to operate.

The machine has to pull to operate. Ergonomically it is better to push weight

rather than to pull. So it is better to turn the handle and the power supplying
mechanism to push the machine instead of pulling it.

Use of aluminum and alloy for construction will help to reduce the weight of
the machine. The machine used to plant 2 rows simultaneously. Number of plants

31
per one hill can be increased while altering the tray moving distance and adding
engine to power the operation.

The dapog mat was compacted due to high tray angle. Tray angle should be
reduced to avoid the problem. Suitable dapog for the machine must have layer 1cm
or less thick. Increased thickness of the mud layer increases the power requirement
to the planting arm.

10.1 COMPARISON BASED ON CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINE

The overall weight of ARP-4UM was more compared to the DP 480 model
rice transplanter. Transplanting speed of ARP-4UM was less than DP 480 model.
The hydraulic control system was easy in DP 480 model compared to ARP-4UM
Model. There were 9 options of seedling density selection in DP 480 model
whereas only 3 options in the ARP-4UM.Transplanting depth of DP 480 could be
controlled from single point whereas in ARP-4UM, three individual points were
available. The theoretical field capacity for both model DP 480 and ARP-4UM
was found to be same for transplanting speed of 2.1km/hr.
10.2 COMPARISON BASED ON FIELD PERFORMANCE
10.2.1 Transplanting depth

For shallow condition, the depth of transplanting in ARP-4UM model was found
to be 10.3% more than the DP 480 model rice transplanter. For standard position,
the transplanting depth was found to be 6.9% more in DP 480 model compared to
the ARP-4UM model. For deeper position, the depth was found to be 30.99%
more in DP 480 model compared to the ARP-4UM model. So, at a glance from
figure 04, it can be noticed that the transplanting depth in DP 480 model is more
than the ARP-4UM model.

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10.2.2 Seedling per hill at off field condition

During the off-field test on concrete, the seedling per hill at the high position
was found to be 14.3% more in ARP-4UM compared to DP 480 model. Similarly,
for the medium and low position, the seedling per hill was found to be 20% and
50% more in ARP-4UM compared to DP 480 model respectively. Figure 05 shows
the comparative verification of seedling per hill between the two models.

10.3 ACTUAL FIELD CAPACITY

The field capacity was measured considering the area of coverage to
be 8.60 decimal. The field capacity was found to be 12.7% more in DP 480
model compared to ARP-4UM model. The comparative values of field
capacity are noted in the table 02.

Model Starting End time Total Area Field capacity

name time operation covered (decimal/hr)

(min) (Decimal)
DP 480 10:35:36 10:45:44 10.13 8.60 50.94
ARP-4UM 09:58:24 10:09:55 11.6 8.60 44.48

Table 10.3.1: Field capacity of DP 480 and ARP-4UM rice transplanter

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10.4 PARAMETERS

Parameters Value Unit

Angular velocity of driving 2.778 Rad/s
sprocket
Speed of driving sprocket 27 Rpm
Speed of driven sprocket 126 Rpm
Circumference of wheel 942.4 Mm
Sprocket velocity ratio 4.7 -
No. of teeth on driving sprocket 44 -
No. of teeth on driven sprocket 10 -
Distance between two sapling 200 Mm
Length of chain 88 Links
Power transmitted by chain 0.1 Kw
(approx.)
Linear velocity of chain 0.04238 m/s
Driving shaft diameter 20 Mm
Driven shaft diameter 20 Mm
No. of sapling plants 2 -

Table 10.4.1: Parameters

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 CHAPTER 11

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The paddy seedling transplanting machine worked satisfactorily. But, there

were some improvements to be done before introducing to the farmers. The
machine is driven by man power but engine can be coupled to enhance the
performances. Machine can be developed to transplant several rows
simultaneously. Weight of the machine should be reduced by removing sprocket,
chains and adding small gears. The dapog must have thin mud layer for easy
removal of seedlings.

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 CHAPTER 12

REFERENCES

[1] Chetan Choudhari, Gov. College of Engineering, Aurangabad,Theoretical

Development of Rice Transplanting Machine”, ISSN: - 2277-9655, Aug 2016.

[2] Jawaharlal Nehru Gov. Engineering College, HP, “Paddy Transplanter”.

[3] Uttam Kumar and EV Thomas,“Determination of force acting on the rice

transplanter finger”, CIGR International Commission of Agriculture and
Biosystem Engineering, March 2015.

[4] R.N.Pateriya and R.K.Datta,“Design Modifications of Mat type Rice

transplanter”, International Journal of Advanced Technology and Engineering
Research, Nov. 2012.

[5] “Operational Manual for Mechanical Transplanting of Rice” by Cereal System

Initiative for South Asia 2015.

[6] V.B.Bhandari, “Design of Machine Elements”, Third Edition, McGraw Hill

Education Private Limited.

[7] Dr.R.K.Bansal,A textbook of Strength of Materials Fifth Edition, Laxmi

Publications (P) LTD.

[8] Sprocket Catalog, Power Transmission Components Division, U.S.Tsubaki,

Inc.

[9] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice transplanter Accessed on 20/6/2011.

[10] www.statistics.gov.lk/agriculture
/Paddy%20Statistics/PaddyStatsPages/2010Yala.pdf 2010. Accessed on 6/6/2011.

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