Evaluation of the Performance of Locally Developed Combine Equipment Used for Several Agricultural Operations at Once

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of locally developed combine equipment used for several agricultural operations at once in a silt clay loam soil texture. Three factors were used. The first is the forward speed of the machinery unit, with three speeds: of 2.98, 4.37, and 6.18 km h-1, the second is plowing depths, with three plowing depths and subsurface irrigation pipes of 10/20, 15/25, 20/30 cm, the third is the distances between the subsurface irrigation pipes, with three distances of 50, 60 and 70 cm. The field efficiency of the combine equipment, soil moisture content, soil penetration resistance and soil bulk density were studied. Faltra tractor was used as a power source with a power of 88 kW (120 hp), with the combine equipment. The results showed that the speed of 6.18 km h-1 was significantly higher in obtaining the highest field efficiency. While the speed of 2.98 km.h-1 was outperformed in obtaining the highest value for soil moisture content, the lowest soil penetration resistance and the lowest soil bulk density compared to the other speeds. The depth of plowing and subsurface irrigation pipes 10/20 cm outperformed in obtaining the highest field efficiency, the highest moisture content, the least soil resistance to penetration, and the lowest soil bulk density compared to other depths. The distance of 70 cm was significantly outperformed in obtaining the highest field efficiency, the highest value of moisture content, the least soil resistance to penetration, and the lowest bulk density compared to other distances. The treatment of speed 2.98 km.h-1, depth 10/20 cm, and distance 70 cm outperformed in obtaining the highest moisture content of 19.40%, the lowest soil penetration resistance of 2.42 kg.cm-2, and the lowest soil bulk density of 0.93 μg.m-3 compared to other treatments.