COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

MODULE # 10

Design of simple farm implements

Learning Outcomes:

1. Discuss the objectives of the design.

2. Apply the general consideration principles.

3. Ability to illustrate the design

4. Familiarize the procedures of making design.

Introduction:
During the initial planning, fundamental decisions must be made concerning loading, type of kinematic
elements to be used, and correct utilization of the properties of engineering materials. Economic considerations
are usually of prime-importance when the design of new implements is undertaken. In general, the lowest over-
all cost is desired. Consideration should be given not only to the cost of design, manufacture, sale, and
installation, but also to the cost of servicing. The objective is to produce an implement which is not only
sufficiently rugged to function properly for a reasonable life, but is at the same time cheap enough to be
economically feasible.

Experienced have shown that designing agricultural machines suitable for farmers is quite a difficult job
because one should come up with a machine that is low cost but effective and efficient. In order for the designer
to meet this challenge, he or she needs to have enough skills and ability to do the job.

General Considerations

Following is a list of general factors that a designer often considers before initiating a new design.
Since these are general in scope, not all will apply to any particular design. Some of the questions should be
thought-provoking.
1. Cost of manufacturing. Will the selling price be competitive? Are there cheaper ways of
manufacturing the implement? Could other materials be used? Are any special tools, dies, jigs, or
fixtures needed? Can it be easily inspected? Can the shop produce it? Is heat treatment necessary?
Can parts be easily welded?
2. Cost of operation. Are power requirements too large? Will poly phase current be needed? What type
of fuel will be used?
3. Cost of maintenance. Are all parts easily accessible? Are access panels needed? Can it be easily
lubricated? Can common tools be used? Can replacement parts be obtained “off the shelf”.
4. Safety features. Was a suitable factor of safety used? Does the safety factor meet existing codes? Are
fuses, guards, or safety valves used? Are shear pins needed? Is there any radiation hazard? Are there
overlooked "stress raisers”? Are there dangerous fumes?
5. Packaging and transportation. Can the implement be readily packaged for shipping without
breakage? Is its size compatible to parcel-post regulations, freight-car dimensions, or trailer-truck
size? Are shipping bolts necessary? Can it be pallet loaded? Is its center of gravity in a desirable
location?
 6. Lubrication. Does the system need periodic checking? Is it automatic? Is it a sealed system?
7. Materials. Are the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the implement's materials suited
to its use? Is corrosion a factor? Will the materials withstand impact? Is thermal or electrical
conductivity important? With high or low temperatures present any problems? Will design stress up
parts reasonable in size?
8. Strength of components. Have its dimensions been carefully calculated?
9. Kinematics. These provide the necessary motion for moving parts? Are, rotating or movable? Could
linkages replace canes? Which will best elements; belts, chains, or gears? Is intermittent motion
needed?
10. Styling. Is the shape desirable? Is the implement well planned?
11. Drawing. Is it standardized parts used? Can the drawings be simplified? Are the tolerances realistic? Is
the surface finish over specified? Must the, sign conform to any standards?
12. Human engineering. Has the operator of the equipment been considered? Are the controls
conveniently located to avoid operator fatigue? Are knobs, grab bars, hand wheels, levers, and dial
calibrations the right size for the average operator? Are the calibrations on the dials easily read? Are
the controls easy to operate?

It should be kept in mind that no two products are alike. A day's production of miniature precision
bearings might be carried by one person; yet a year's production of heavy machinery might have to be
dismantled just to fit on freight cars for shipment.

Classifications of Design

A. Based on the Design Information and Consideration Needed in Coming Up with the Product

Rational design might be considered as purely mathematical, based on the laws of mechanics. For
example, we can compute the size of a rivet if we know the material and the forces acting on it.

Empirical design can be considered as conforming to existing practices with no real justification
except past performance. For example, we could compute empirically the diameter of a setscrew from the
size of the shaft that it will engage. Experience enters into this type of calculation mainly because of the
human element in tightening this type of fastener.

Industrial design is the term generally applied to designing for appearance as well as function. The use
of streamlining, color combinations, and finishes quite often popularizes one product over another. These are
important selling features. In many instances, all three of the above types of design are used.

B. Based on the Process that is Taking Place in Coming Up with the Product
 Original Design – does not exist before and it is only done by few dedicated designer who have
personal qualities of a sufficiently high order. This also requires a lots of research, experimental
activities, and creative brain.
 Adaptive Design – this is more concerned of the adoption of existing designs. This does not demand
special knowledge or skills. Problems can be solved with ordinary training.
 Development Design - This begins with an existing design but the final result may quietly differ from
the initial product.
Approaches in Designing Agricultural Machines

 The designers need to have a full understanding of the variable of the field conditions and other
factors which influence machinery performance including the environmental and human-related
factors. Note that the machine should be operationally reliable and economically acceptable to
farmers.
 The designers need to apply engineering principles so that functional requirements of a certain
machine are met. This includes the laws of mechanics, strength of materials, fluid flows, heat transfer,
etc.
 The designers should have the knowledge of the analytical design process which is essential in the
design of machine components, main frames, mounting arrangement, balancing, etc.
 The designers must integrate analytical design and results of experimental investigation to develop
machines that are simple to fabricate, affordable, light in weights, easy to maintain, and require
readily available and low cost materials.
 The designer should also have the knowledge regarding the level of manufacturing skills, processes,
viability, and cost of materials in order to have a simple machines that could be locally manufactured.
 The design of agricultural machines should involved a multi-disciplinary approach that involves
product design, development, testing and evaluation, and modification prior to commercialization.

Important Notes:

 Unless the designer tries to meet the needs of actual users, no amount of design work will be utilized.
 The success of a good design is indicated by the extent by which the machine is adopted by farmers.

Definition of Terms:

 Designers – These are those who employ agents of technological skills and facility and make use of the
creative energies to bring about some sought of advantage that is useful to man.
 Designing – It is a highly innovative and cross disciplinary process that uses the most acceptable,
aesthetic, efficiency, and economical means to satisfy people’s need.

Philosophy of Design

 It includes the process of organizing the methodology needed to proceed from concept to final
product, determining which technological resources to use, the economics of production and
operation, and the human and social factors that will be needed.
Qualities of a Good Designer

 Imaginative power
 Highly developed intellectual power
 Good memory
 Ability to work thoroughly and conscientiously
 Inventive talent and good judgment
 Ability to concentrate
 Sense of responsibility and self-confidence
 Integrity
 Ability to work with people
 Ability to do simulation, experiments, and measurements
 Environment conscious
 Aesthetics and conscious on the ergonomics of machine
 Ability to optimize design

Factor of Safety

 Used to include uncertainties in the design.

 The degree of use of the FS depends on the technical competence and design experience of the
designer.
 Large FS are usually uneconomical.
 Sufficient FS is required if failures and loss in time, and inconveniences are to be minimized.
 The use of excessive FS can be minimized if the latest tools and techniques in designing are to be used.

Reliability

 Excessive strength and oversized machine are usually wasteful in engineering design.
 Machine to be design if possible should have 99.9% reliability.
 Continuous replacement of defective machine components may keep the design more reliable and
economical.

Standards

 Technical reports approved and recommended for practice by engineers.

 The use of standard is voluntary and no liability is assumed by the sponsoring organization for their
misuse.
 The use of standard can minimize the potential liability of the organization in designing a product.
 It is a mechanism for interchanging machinery parts thus resulting to a lower product cost to
consumers.
Procedures in designing agricultural implement

1. Gathering the necessary information about the implement as well as look for related designs on the
existing implement as baseline information.
2. Concept of the design is based on existing and internet sites.
3. Sketch of the implement made in details with the basis of the information gotten from existing and
internet references.
4. Drawings will be presented in front, side, top and isometric views including the dimensions and the
specifications of the materials.

References

 Krutz, G. Thompson, L, and P. Claar. 1984. Design of Agricultural machines. John Wiley and sons, Inc.
New York, USA. 473pp
 RNAM. Agricultural Machinery Design and Data Handbook. (Seeders and Planters). RNAM/ESCAP.
United Nation Bldg. Rajadamnerm Avenue, Bangkok, Thailand. 1991. 137pp.
 PAES. Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards.
 ASAE. 1997 ASAE Standards. Standard Engineering Practice Data. ASAE USA.

Prepared by: ENGR. BONIFACIO A. HONTIVEROS

Course Facilitator
Exercises:

Name: ________________________________ Rating: ______________

Course & Year: __________ Date Performed: _________ Date Submitted: ________

Exercise # 10

Design of Simple farm implement

I. Easy: Give your comprehensive knowledge of the following.

1. Choose agricultural implement you like and make your own design, follow the procedures.
Procedures in designing agricultural implement:
a. Gathering the necessary information about the implement as well as look for related
designs on the existing implement as baseline information.
b. Concept of the design is based on existing and internet sites.
c. Sketch of the implement made in details with the basis of the information gotten from
existing and internet references.
d. Drawings will be presented in front, side, top and isometric views including the
dimensions and the specifications of the materials.
2. Draw to scale in long sheet bond papers with complete dimensions and specifications.

3. Justify the advantages and the economics consideration of your design.

Prepared by: ENGR. BONIFACIO A. HONTIVEROS

Course Facilitator