INNOVATIVE EXTENDABLE FRAME BASED WEED PLUCKING MACHINE

Abstract:
The primary objective of this project is to design and Fabricate the innovative extendable
frame based (adjustable cutting width) weeds plucking machine by solar energy operation.
The main merits of this machine which is operate d by using inexhaustible source of energy
i.e. Solar energy and it is easy handle and maintenance. The extendable frame concept is to
increase the width of rotating cutter drum so that the maximum cutting area can be covered in
short time and higher productivity can be achieved. The unique features of this fabricated
machine is width adjustable cutter drum, inexhaustible solar energy operated, easy handling
and maintenance and flexible to any row width of plants. As compared to other developed
machines, it is more economic due to solar energy driven and single person operated. The
machine components were manufactured by using the readily market available structural tube
and plate materials. The conceptual design was modelled by using Creo Software (CAD
software) and later it’s converted into manufacturing drawings. The design was validated
through the existing literature data and some theoretical calculation. The frozen design was
manufactured and tested in the field.

Keywords: Innovative, Extendable, Solar, Inexhaustible, and Machine.

I. Introduction
It is well-known fact that agriculture is backbone for India; India accounts for 7.68%
of total global agriculture output. India is 2 nd larger producer of agriculture products.
GDP from agriculture in India is nearly 5722.27 INR billion till last year 2017. As
compared to other sectors, the only agriculture sector having a high potential to raise
the country economy. But there is a few drawbacks in agriculture sector, the one main
problem is poor crop production due to weeds. In India alone, nearly Rs 1980
cr.amount is wasted annually due to weeds. The country economy is affected most
33% from weeds. . The losses are due to some of the following reasons; total loss of
23% from crop diseases, total loss 20% from insects and worms, total loss of 6% from
rats has been surveyed by India. Some weeds have beneficial uses but usually when
they are growing among crops. Weeds decrease the value of land. This can reduce
crop production and decreasing income per acre of cultivation, and economic
frustration are some of the key factors hurting confidence in continuing farming.
 Therefore, this project ultimate aim is to address and resolve the major problems like
poor crop production, losing soil fertility and framer fatigue by developing weeds
removing machine, which is driven by using inexhaustible solar energy.

II. Literature Survey

To start this project, the first step done was the literature survey study in order to find
out the current issues in agriculture sector and to collect the present demands from
farmers. Most of researchers have been designed and developed the various weeds
removing machine with different features. A few machines concept were developed
which is operated by manually or electric motor. Also the different types of cutter
blade shapes and number variation concept were developed. . No much research on
using solar energy and adjustable of cutter drum concept.

Therefore, this project has focused on the new innovative idea of adjustable of
working width of cutter drum to operate in the different width of plants row and
driven by using inexhaustible solar energy. Here with the only major and relevant
research papers were presented.

Design and fabrication of single operated weed removing machine, which has the
various benefits like its simple, economical and efficient machine to remove the
weed, which would be operated by a single person – savings of labour as well as time.
The machine adds to the modernization of the agriculture. A machine like this will
make the farmer to be independent and not rely on the labourers for removing weed.
The operation of machine is based on only a chain and sprocket arrangement. The
machine is of simple design without using any motor or engine. That eliminates the
need for many workers and makes the work easier, economical and efficient1.

Author has clear stated about the importance of agriculture for rural poverty people
and its development definitely act as a driver of rural poverty reduction. The effort
require to develop a weeder will meet the demand of farmers. The efficiency of
weeder should be satisfactory and it is easy to operate. It was faster than the
traditional method of removing weed. Less labour needed and it is more economical
than hand weeding. Here do not use any fuel and power, Hence maintenance cost is
very less. Cost of weeding by this machine comes to only one-third of the
 corresponding cost by manual laborers. The fabrication of Low cost weeder is done
with locally available material. The overall performance of the weeder was
satisfactory3.

Author has designed and developed two operation in single machine that is weeds
removing and spraying of pesticides. The machine is designed operated manually
which will be helpful for small land farmers. It consumes less time and saves money
as compared with conventional spraying and weeding. It covers twice area of
spraying than manually spraying. Moist soil weeder efficiency increases due to proper
penetrating and dig out of soil. It does spraying and weeding simultaneously and that
of conventional does separately. So this requires less time. The machine does not
require any fuel or power so maintenance is less6 .

III. Methodology

1. Material Used:
The material selection is one of the important and mandatory stage in the designing
any functional structures. The structural designer initial primary work is material
selection and using the market available materials. The selecting materials based on
the various factors, major factors like strength, cost, availability, environmental
condition having corrosion resistance, weight and manufacturability includes weld
ability and handling etc.

For this project, materials were selected which is easily and readily available in
market and chosen the medium strength structural tubes, plates and components
materials were used to fabricate the weeds remover machine.

1.1 Frame Structure Material:

Machine back bone structure was made by using square tube of 30mm x30mm with
wall thickness of 2.6mm. The adjustable of width of working cutter drum design was
made by inserting the one tube into another one. The outer tube was made of
30mmx30mm tube and inserting tube was 25mmx25mm, both wall thickness of
2.6mm. Material properties meet as per IS4923 Grade Yst.210, Yield strength of
210 MPa (Min.). IS standard of available square tube size is enclosed in Annexure-A.
The complete base structure including mounting of cutter drum and wheel and also
handle structure was welded as per the design.

1.2 Rotating Drum :

The cutter rotating drum was fabricated by using outer tube diameter of
114.3mm with wall thickness of 3.6mm and inner diameter (inserting tube) of
88.9mm with wall thickness of 3.2mm. Material specification meets as per IS
1161:2014, having yield strength of 210MPa (Min.). IS standard of available
square tube size is enclosed in Annexure-B.

1.3 Flat type Cutter :

Cutter blade was made from mild steel plate material of thickness 3mm.
The blade cutter of length was 100mm and sharp shape at the edge was
made by cutting operation.

1.4 Wheel :

Two wheels were employed to move the machine. The outer diameter of wheel
was 280mm. Medium Carbon steel material is used for the driving wheel.
Stiffening rods of 15 mrn diameter and 99.48 mm long 4 numbers were used
as spokes on the central hub. The 50 mm long hub was made to suit the 15
mrn size round MS rod which is the central axle of the ground wheels.

2. Modelling (3D Models)

The conceptual design was modelled by using CAD software –CREO (Pro-
E) Computer-aided drafting (CAD) is the use of computer systems to aid in
the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. CAD software
is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of
design, improve communications through documentation, and to create a
database for manufacturing. CAD output is often in the form of electronic files
for print, machining, or other manufacturing operations. The term CADD, (for
Computer Aided Design and Drafting) is also used. Fig1. shows the complete
model of machine
Frame

Solar Panel

Battery

Motor

Pulley Cutting
Wheel Drum

Fig.1 shows the 3D model of Weeds Removing Machine.

Fig.2 shows the fabricated Condition

The major parts/ components of the Adjustable Weeds Removing Machine are

A) Frame Structure- Backbone

B) Rotating Drum

C) Y Bearing Plummer Unit

D) Cutter Blade

E) Motor

F) Solar Panel

2.1 Frame Structure

 Adjustable Tube

Fig.3 shows the Base Adjustable Frame Structure

 Fig.4 shows the Rotating Drum Structure

Fig5 shows the Pulley Wheel

3. Design Calculation and Stress Analysis

3.1 Y-Bearing Plummer Unit –Selection of Y-bearing unit size

Load carrying ability and life

The size of a Y-bearing or Y-bearing unit required for a specific arrangement is

determined by the loads that will occur in the application and the required life
needed for the application. Variables known as load ratings are used in bearing
calculations as a measure of the load carrying ability: the basic dynamic load
rating C and the basic static load rating C0. The basic dynamic load rating is
based on specifications determined in ISO 281:1990 and ISO 281:1990
Amd.1:2000 while the basic static load rating is based on specifications
determined in ISO 76:1987.

Selecting the bearing unit size using the life equations

To select a Y-bearing or a Y-bearing unit size, the basic rating life is typically
calculated according to ISO 281:1990. The equation for ball bearings is
This project fabricated machine comes under the other agriculture equipment
category , which is having the basic rating life of 4000 to 8000 hours.

Fig.6 shows the bearing holding

4. Manufacturing Drawing :
The created 3D model is converted into manufacturing 2D drawing by using
AutoCAD 2007. Fig.7 shows the manufacturing drawings. And Fig,8 shows
the 3D view of machine.
Fig.8shows the 3D model of machine.
5. Manufacturing Process:
The complete machine was fabricated by highly skilled welder and assembled
by our project team with help of the assemble expert. The structure was made
by using Flux core stick manual arc welding. The jig and fixture were used
to weld the cutter blades on the rotating drum. The complete structure welding
quality were inspected by naked observation and ensured the good welded
structure. Fig.below shows the images of machine under fabrication condition.

6. Field Test- Performance Evaluation :

The fabricated machine performance and functional efficiency was evaluated
against the conventional method. Even nowadays the farmers use the
conventional method that is manual plucking of weeds. The comparative
performance and efficiency was evaluated by choosing the weeds grown area
of total area of 9 sq. meter. The average reading was measured from 4
randomly selected locations on the farm land. Weeding efficiency of man
power and machine was determined based on average weighting of weeds.
Average weight of weeds plucked by labours and machine on four random
locations was measured and calculated weeding efficiency.
 Below Table Shows the measured data and calculated weeding efficiency.

Manually Machine

Location
(Total area 9
Weed Removed Total Weed in Weed Total Weed
Sq. meter)
in Kg -A Kg- B Removed in Kg -B
in Kg-A

Area 1

Area 2

Area 3

Area 4

Average

Weeding
efficiency
(A/B)x100

IV. Project Cost Estimation

SL Description Total Cost (Rs.)

No
1 Frame Structure 2000

2 Rotating Drum (both outer and 1000

inner)

3 Wheel 1400

4 Spikes 300

5 Bearing Holder set 400

6 Sprocket 1200

7 Solar Panel 1000

8 Battery 750

9 Chain 300

10 Fasteners 50

11 Leath Work 1000

12 Painting 200
 13 Labour Charge 4000

14 Miscel. Charge 400

Total Rs 4000

V. Conclusion
The following are conclusions drawn from this project are,

1. Fabricated the innovative weeds removing machine to resolve the framer

problems.

2. This extendable cutting width has many benefits as compared to fixed one. It can
operate in any row of plants and easy to handle.

3. Another advantage of this machine, it is solar operate, therefore the low operating
cost.

4. Operated by the single person, again leads to the low cost operation.

5. Finally, this machine is low cost operating and easy to handle and used in the
different rows of plants.

VI. References
1. K.Ramesh, “Design And Fabrication Of Weed Removing Machine”, International
Journal For Research In Science & Advanced Technologies Volume-3, Issue-6, 092-
98.

2. G.Selvakumar, Design And Fabrication Of Manually Operated Double Wheel Weeder,

International Journal Of Innovative Research In Science, Engineering And
Technology, Vol. 6, Issue 3, March 2017

3. Mane Deshmukh Vijay,” Design And Fabrication Of Agriculture Weeder”,

International Journal Of Innovations In Engineering Research And Technology
[Ijiert]Issn: 2394-3696, Volume 3, Issue3, Mar.-2016

4. Rajashekar M,”Simulation And Analysis Of Low Cost Weeder” Ijret: International

Journal Of Research In Engineering And Technology Eissn: 2319-1163 | Pissn: 2321-
7308, Volume: 03 Special Issue: 03 | May-2014 | Ncriet-
2014.

5. Albert Francis A, Weed Removing Machine For Agriculture, International Journal Of

Engineering Sciences & Research
Technology, May 2017.

6. M.G.Jadhav,” Design And Fabrication Of Manually Operated Weeder With Pesticides

Sprayer” International Research Journal Of Engineering And Technology (Irjet),
Volume: 03 Issue: 12 | Dec -2016

Annexure –A