Mechanical Properties of Sorghum (S. bicolor) in Relation to Harvesting
U. S. Kankal *
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Dr. PDKV, Akola, India.
S. H. Thakare
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Dr. PDKV, Akola, India.
A. V. Gajakos
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Dr. PDKV, Akola, India.
A. K. Kamble
ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Energy in Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Dr. PDKV, Akola, India.
D. S. Karale
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Dr. PDKV, Akola, India.
R. D. Walke
Department of Agriculture Economics and Statistics, College of Agriculture, Dr. PDKV, Akola, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Mechanical properties of cereal crops are crucial for designing effective harvesting mechanisms. This study determined the cutting energy and forces of sorghum stalk using pendulum impact experimental test rig for various stalk diameters (10, 15, 20 and 25 mm) and cutting velocities (4.5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 m/s). Results indicated that cutting energy ranged from 3.40 J at a blade velocity of 7.5 m/s to 26.91J at a blade cutting velocity of 4.5 m/s for a 25 mm sorghum stalk diameter. A maximum cutting force of 1076.53 N was recorded at the blade's cutting velocity of 4.5 m/s for the 25mm stalk diameter. However, minimum cutting energy was 340.7 N at blade's cutting velocity of 7.5 m/s for a10 mm sorghum stalk diameter. Cutting forces and blade velocities had a linear relationship. These findings serve as a basis for designing effective and cutting mechanism for sorghum harvesters.
Keywords: Cutting energy, force, pendulum, stem, sorghum, velocity