Sowing and Planting Equipments Lecture

Introduction to Sowing and Planting Techniques

Overview of Sowing

• The lecture introduces the concept of sowing, defined as the technique of placing seeds in soil to create favorable conditions for germination.

• Effective sowing aims for the correct amount of seeds per unit area, appropriate depth, and proper spacing between rows and plants.

Objectives of Sowing Methods

• Key objectives include achieving desired plant density and ensuring optimal seed placement through various methods such as broadcasting, drilling, and transplanting.

Methods of Sowing

Broadcasting

• Broadcasting involves randomly scattering seeds on the surface of a seed bed, which can be done manually or mechanically.

• Manual broadcasting relies on the skill level of the person performing it; uniformity is often challenging to achieve.

• Mechanical broadcasting allows for more uniform seed distribution over large areas but may lead to higher seed rates.

Dibbling

• Dibbling places seeds into holes made in the soil at specific depths; this method is time-consuming and best suited for larger seeds like vegetables.

Seed Dropping Behind the Plow

• This traditional method involves plowing land and dropping seeds into furrows created by the plow. It was commonly practiced in ancient times.

Advanced Sowing Techniques

Drilling

• Drilling refers to dropping seeds in a continuous stream within furrows while covering them with soil; it can be performed manually or mechanically.

• Research has focused on optimizing energy use during drilling to maintain consistent seed spacing despite potential variations.

Transplanting

• Transplanting involves raising seedlings in a nursery before planting them into prepared beds; it's commonly used for crops like paddy and vegetables.

• Equipment known as transplanters is utilized for efficient transplantation based on plant type.

Specialized Planting Techniques

Hill Dropping

• In hill dropping, seeds are placed at fixed intervals (hills), allowing for controlled spacing between plants within rows.

Check-Road Planting

• This pre-season planting method maintains specific row orientations with perpendicular roads, enhancing plant growth consistency.

Seed Drill Functionality

• A seed drill is designed to place seeds uniformly at controlled depths while also covering them with soil efficiently.

Seed Drill Mechanisms and Functions

Overview of Seed Drills

• The seed drill is a device used for planting seeds in soil, ensuring proper coverage and depth. It can be manually or mechanically metered, with tractor-driven models providing controlled seeding.

Functions of the Seed Drill

• A seed drill must carry seeds effectively; it includes components designed to open furrows for seed placement and measure the correct amount of seeds to ensure optimal planting density.

• After depositing seeds, the drill covers them with soil and compacts it to retain moisture, which is crucial for germination.

Seed-Fertilizer Combination Drills

• A seed-fertilizer combination drill delivers both seeds and fertilizer simultaneously into the soil. It features separate compartments for each material to maintain their integrity during planting.

• Similar to standard seed drills, these devices also ensure proper spacing between seeds and fertilizer when deposited into the soil.

Components of a Seed Drill

• The main body of a seed drill is called the frame, which supports all other parts. It's typically made from mild steel or angle bars.

• The seed box holds the seeds and is constructed from materials like mild steel or galvanized iron. It often includes an agitator to prevent clogging.

Metering Mechanisms in Seed Drills

• Various metering mechanisms are employed in seed drills:

• Fluted Roller: Utilizes a square shaft with grooves that control seed delivery through rotation.

• Internal Double Rod: Features two openings (large for coarse seeds, small for fine ones), allowing flexibility in handling different types of seeds while controlling seeding rates via speed adjustments.

Additional Metering Types

• Cop Heat Type: This mechanism uses circular disks equipped with cups that collect and deliver seeds based on their size as they rotate through designated paths.

• Shelfie Type: In this design, cells spaced evenly collect and deliver seeds efficiently into the soil.

This structured overview provides insights into how various components work together within different types of seed drills, emphasizing their importance in modern agriculture.

Seed Delivery Mechanisms in Agricultural Equipment

Overview of Seed Collection and Delivery

• The cells collect seeds and deliver them via a circular path, resembling a floated river. This mechanism involves small cell types positioned around the wheel's periphery to ensure proper seed distribution.

Brass Feed Type Mechanism

• The brass feed type utilizes rotating brasses to regulate seed flow from the hopper into the seed tube. It is primarily designed for small seeds and is often used for fertilizer application due to its granular structure.

Auger and Picker Wheel Mechanisms

• An auger mechanism moves substances uniformly from a container into the field, while picker wheels with radially projected arms pick up sheets or fertilizers and drop them into furrows.

Star Wheel Type Application

• The star wheel type consists of a truthed wheel that rotates horizontally, conveying fertilizer through a feed gate, specifically designed for fertilizer metering applications.

Ground Wheel Transmission Systems

Power Transmission Mechanics

• Ground wheel transmission systems utilize chains, rockets, or gear mechanisms to transmit power. As the vehicle moves forward, the ground wheel rotates automatically, propagating motion effectively to other components.

Furrow Opening Techniques

Importance of Furrow Openers

• Furrow openers are crucial for creating proper soil depth for seed placement. Various types include reversible sub-openers that can be flipped when worn out and single-point shovels designed for specific soil conditions.

Types of Sub Openers

• Different sub opener designs include:

• Arrow Type: Utilizes both sides for furrow opening.

• Spearhead Shovel: Ideal for larger crops requiring deeper furrows.

Covering Devices in Seeding Operations

Functionality of Covering Devices

• After seeds are placed in the soil via seed tubes, covering devices are essential to bury them properly.

Types of Covering Devices

• Drag Chain: Ties on a bar behind the furrow to drag soil over seeds.

• Drag Bar: Similar function as drag chains but uses bars instead.

• Scraper Blades: Help compact soil over already opened furrows.

Advanced Covering Techniques

• Zero Pressure Pneumatic Wheels: Designed without pressure to cover furrows gently.

• Disc Killers: Utilize angled double discs to effectively cover seeds with soil after planting.

Seed Drill and Planter Components

Seed Tube and Board Functionality

• The seed tube is designed to position the seat forward, constructed from polypropylene, rubber, and steel tubes with a minimum diameter of 25 mm. The board receives seeds and fertilizer from the seed tube for soil placement.

• Boards are typically made of cast iron or mild steel, ensuring durability during operation.

Transport Wheel Purpose

• Transport wheels facilitate moving the entire seed drill across fields when not in operation. They are essential for transitioning between roadways and agricultural land.

Planter Overview

• A planter is specialized equipment used for sowing larger seeds that are difficult to handle with standard seed drills. It maintains root spacing and plant-to-plant spacing effectively.

• Types of planters include quarter planters, maize planters, and curtain planters, which cater to different seed sizes while performing similar functions as seed drills by depositing seeds into furrows and covering them with soil.

Knockout Mechanism in Planters

• The knockout mechanism prevents over-seeding by knocking out excess seeds that may be deposited in one location; it works alongside a cut-off mechanism to manage seed flow efficiently.

Potato Planter Features

Automatic Potato Planter Design

• An automatic potato planter features a hopper equipped with a chain drive mechanism that picks up graded potatoes for planting directly into furrows. This design ensures efficient handling of potatoes during planting operations.

Compensatory Tray Functionality

• A compensatory tray connected to the feed ruler returns any extra potatoes back to the hopper if they exceed required amounts during planting, ensuring no gaps occur in planting rows. Fertilizer and pesticides can also be applied simultaneously using this system.

Semi-Automatic Potato Planter Mechanics

Hopper and Metering Disc Operation

• In semi-automatic models, potatoes are manually placed into the metering disc's hopper; once loaded, they drop into furrows due to gravity at designated intervals set by the device's mechanics. This allows for controlled planting without excessive manual labor involved in each step of the process.

Calibration Process for Seed Drills

Initial Calibration Steps

• Calibration begins by determining the width of swing based on adjustments provided within the seed drill specifications; this ensures accurate row spacing according to operational needs before use in fields.

Calculating Row Width

• To find out row width (S), multiply the number of openers (n) by their respective widths; this calculation helps establish effective coverage area per pass during seeding operations.

Length Calculation for Calibration

• For calibration purposes, testing should cover an area equivalent to 1/25th of a hectare (400 m²). The length covered will depend on machine width (w), calculated as 100/w meters needed per pass through this area.

RPM Considerations

• Instead of traditional RPM measurements, revolutions must be counted manually or through other means while calibrating ground wheel movement necessary for achieving desired coverage lengths during operation.

Finalizing Revolution Count

• After determining necessary revolutions based on wheel diameter (d) using πd calculations—where n represents total revolutions needed—the operator marks both drive wheel positions on their respective machines before filling hoppers with seeds ready for testing procedures ahead of field deployment.

Calibration of Seed Drill and Fluted Roller Capacity

Seed Rate Control Adjustment

• The seed rate control adjustment in the metering device must be tailored to specific soil conditions and the required seed rate.

• Engage the clock and manually rotate the ground wheel for a specified number of revolutions (n), which is essential for accurate measurement.

• After collecting seeds from each boat, weigh them to determine total weight (WS). The seed rate can then be calculated using the formula: WS / (400 * 10,000).

• Compare the calculated seed rate with recommended values; if discrepancies exist, adjustments should be made accordingly.

Understanding Fluted Roller Capacity

• Discusses potential issues regarding determining the capacity of a fluted roller, emphasizing its group structure and diameter.

• The formula for calculating fluted roller capacity is presented: 16 times 10^-3 times rho times q_l, where:

• rho : density of seed material (kg/m³)

• q_f : flow rate of seeds from the fluted roller

• A : cross-sectional area exposed to seeds

• Length (L) of the fluted roller exposed to seeds and rotational speed (nf) are critical factors in determining overall capacity. Adjustments may be necessary based on these calculations.