Satisfaction with the Quality of Agricultural Machinery and the Propensity for Replacement Purchases

Shin, Seung-Yeoub,Kang, Chang Ho,Yu, Seok Cheol,Kim, Byounggap,Kim, Yu-Yong,Kim, Jin Oh Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2014 바이오시스템공학 Vol.39 No.4

Purpose: This study was conducted to serve as a basis for strengthening policy support and R&D to improve the domestic and international competitiveness of domestic agricultural machinery. Levels of satisfaction among farmers and service engineers were analyzed regarding the current quality of agricultural machinery and the primary consumers' propensity for replacement purchases. Methods: A survey was carried out targeting farmers in over 150 townships and 300 villages in South Korea who collectively used 711 tractors, 286 rice transplanters, and 221 combine harvesters. Furthermore, agricultural machinery service engineers from 20 different after-services were surveyed regarding the quality of main components in domestic agricultural machinery versus those in imported agricultural machinery. Results: The farmers' overall quality satisfaction ratings for tractors, rice transplanters, and combine harvesters ranged from 57.1% to 62.6% in consideration of operating performance, failure rate, and durability. Compared with imports, satisfaction ratings for domestic agricultural machinery were 19.1%p to 38.1%p lower for quality. Regarding engines, transmissions, hydraulics, planters, reapers, threshers, and electrical components, only 5.3% to 25.0% of service engineers indicated that domestic agricultural machinery was higher in quality compared with imports. By contrast, 33.3% to 78.9% of those surveyed indicated that domestic components were lower in quality compared with imports. Intent to purchase replacement agricultural machinery at the end of their respective products' lifecycles was indicated that they planned to purchase imported tractors, rice transplanters, and combine harvesters comprised 25.2%, 46.9%, and 43.9%, respectively. This clearly shows that a very high percentage of farmers were satisfied, particularly for transplanters and combine harvesters. Conclusions: The level of desire for purchasing imported agricultural machinery was very high among those who expressed intent to purchase replacement machinery. Therefore, strong policy support and R&D for domestic agricultural machinery is critical for improving competitiveness on the domestic and foreign markets.

Criteria for Determining Working Area and Operating Cost for Long-Term Lease of Agricultural Machinery

Shin, Seung Yeoub,Kang, Chang Ho,Yu, Seok Cheol,Kim, Yu Yong,Noh, Jae Seung Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2015 바이오시스템공학 Vol.40 No.3

Purpose: This research suggests a method of establishing criteria for working area and operating cost for a long-term lease of agricultural machinery. Methods: Eight crops were selected-three food crops and five open-field vegetables-and agricultural machines used for sowing, transplanting, and cultivation in dry-field farming were analyzed. Results: The break-even acreage for agricultural machinery under a long-term lease was found to differ by agricultural machine, ranging from 1.0 to 5.8 ha. In terms of arable land area, the break-even acreages for harvesting machinery and transplanters were 15.6 to 26.1 ha and 6.1 to 8.6 ha, respectively. The working area lessees should secure was divided into two cases: (1) 2.0 to 11.6 ha when leasing individual agricultural machines (sowing and transplanting) for a long-term period, and (2) more than 10 ha when farmers who cultivate beans, potatoes, garlic, onions, and so on lease sowing and transplanting machines as a set. When agricultural machinery was leased for a long term, the operating cost and working time were reduced by 27.6 to 74.4% and 2.5 to 21.6%, respectively, indicating considerable effect. Conclusions: A long-term lease project needs to be promoted to overcome the limitation of short-term leases of agricultural machinery. The local government should lead this project and facilitate the mechanization of dry-field farming. The department in charge of agricultural machinery lease projects needs to set the working area to cover the rate and maintenance cost for farmers who lease agricultural machinery for the long term.

Environmentally Friendly Hybrid Power System for Cultivators

Kim, Sang Cheol,Hong, Young Ki,Kim, Gook Hwan Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2014 바이오시스템공학 Vol.39 No.4

Purpose: In this study, a hybrid power system was developed for agricultural machines with a 20-KW output capacity, and it was attached to a multi-purpose cultivator to improve the performance of the cultivator, which was evaluated using output tests. Methods: The hybrid system combined heterogeneous sources: an internal-combustion engine and an electric power motor. In addition, a power splitter was developed to simplify the power transmission structure. The cultivator using the hybrid system was designed to have increased fuel efficiency and output power and reduced exhaust gas emissions, while maintaining the functions of existing cultivators. Results: The fuel consumption for driving the cultivator in the hybrid engine vehicle (HEV) mode was 341 g/KWh, which was 36% less than the consumption in the engine (ENG) mode for the same load. The maximum power take off output of the hybrid power system was 12.7 KW, which was 38% more than the output of the internal-combustion engine. In the HEV mode, harmful exhaust gas emissions were reduced; i.e., CO emissions were reduced by 36~41% and NOx emissions were reduced by 27~51% compared to the corresponding emissions in the ENG mode. Conclusions: The hybrid power system improved the fuel efficiency and reduced exhaust gas emissions in agricultural machinery. Lower exhaust gas emissions of the hybrid system have considerable advantages in closed work environments such as crop production facilities; therefore, agricultural machinery with less exhaust gas emissions should be commercialized. However, the high manufacturing cost and complexity of the proposed system are challenges which need to be solved in the future.

Survey Analysis of the Farm Machinery Accidents

Shin S. Y.,Kim B. G.,Yun J. H.,Lee Y. B. Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2004 Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Vol.5 No.2

A review of accidents involving farm machinery, which occurred in Korea during 2002, shows that $90.7\%$ of farm-work accidents and $9.3\%$ of traffic accidents were linked to agricultural machinery. The frequency of accidents per annum amounts to 72.2 out of 10,000 vehicles, $94.4\%$ of which relates to tillers and tractors. An analysis of the causes of the accidents revealed that $49.1\%$ of farm-work accidents were due to the tiller driver's fault or error. In the case of traffic accidents, $83\%$ of farm machinery mishaps were found to be due to violation of traffic regulations while $60.4\%$ of the farm machinery damage resulted from faulty driving or lack of safe driving practices. The average casualty count of farm machinery-related accidents is 1.39 persons per case, which consist of 0.07 deaths, 0.74 serious injuries, and 0.58 slight injuries.

Survey on Informatization Status of Farmers for Introducing Ubiquitous Agriculture Information System

Kwon, TaeHyeong,Kim, JoonYong,Lee, Chungu,Park, Gun-Hwan,Ashtiani-Araghi, Alireza,Baek, Seung Hwan,Rhee, Joong-Yong Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2014 바이오시스템공학 Vol.39 No.1

Purpose: The modern IT can give enormous impacts on the agricultural production and consumption. However, farmer's ability to use IT devices has been known as one of the critical factors on success of IT in agriculture. This survey study was performed to evaluate the informatization status of farmers and to draw a strategy to develop and distribute a ubiquitous agricultural information system. Methods: A survey questionnaire with 19 questions on the degree of IT devices such as computers and smartphones and their utilization were developed. The survey was questioned 3 groups of farmers in Gyounggi Province and analyzed statistically by the ${\chi}^2$ test. Results: The order of IT devices distribution were computers, smartphones, smart TVs and tablet PCs in all groups. The ratios of ownerships of the devices are 97.7, 78.6%, 31.4%, 17.8% respectively. The active farmers in this survey showed higher informatization level than that of native and the general farmers. Conclusions: The ubiquitous agricultural information system was judged to be developed for the computer because spread and use of it exceeds the other devices. Also, the information system based on the smartphone could be a complementary way if the rapid of the smartphones continues and proper education on use of the phone is provided.

Review of Current Approaches for Implementing Metabolic Reconstruction

Kim, Do-Gyun,Seo, Sung-Won,Cho, Byoung-Kwan,Lohumi, Santosh,Hong, Soon-jung,Lee, Wang-Hee Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2018 바이오시스템공학 Vol.43 No.1

Background: Metabolic modeling has been an essential tool in metabolic reconstruction, which has dramatically advanced in the last decades as a part of systems biology. At present, the protocol for metabolic reconstruction has been systematically established, and it provides the basis for the analysis of complex systems, which has been limited in the past. Therefore, metabolic reconstruction can be adapted to analyze agricultural systems whose metabolic data has been accumulated recently. Purpose: The aim of this review is to suggest the suitability of metabolic modeling for understanding agricultural metabolic data and to encourage the potential use of this modeling in the field of agriculture. Review: We reviewed the procedure of metabolic reconstruction using computational modeling with applicable strategies and software tools. Additionally, we presented the initial attempts of metabolic reconstruction in the field of agriculture and proposed further applications.

Tele-robotics in Agriculture - Tomato Harvesting Experiment -

Monta, Mitsuji,Kobayashi, Koji,Hirai, Takuya,Namba, Kazuhiko,Nishi, Takao Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2005 Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Vol.6 No.2

In this study, tele-robotics was researched to actualize robots in agriculture. The robot system consisted of a data collecting robot, several robots that performed their own agricultural operations, a server, client computers and networks between robots and computers. In this paper, as a first step, harvesting experiments were carried out. From the results, it was observed that the tele-robotics had feasibility to propel the robotization in agriculture. The tele-robotics has advantages not only that human workers are released from the severe working environment but also that the greenhouse can be monitored and controlled anytime and anywhere.

Performance Test of a Real-Time Measurement System for Horizontal Soil Strength in the Field

Cho, Yongjin,Lee, DongHoon,Park, Wonyeop,Lee, Kyouseung Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2016 바이오시스템공학 Vol.41 No.4

Purpose: Soil strength has been measured using a cone penetrometer, which is making it difficult to obtain the spatial data required for precision agriculture. Our objectives were to evaluate real-time horizontal soil strength (RHSS) to measure soil strength in real time while moving across the field. Using the RHSS data, the tillage depth was determined, and the power consumption of a tractor and rotavators were compared. Methods: The horizontal soil-strength index (HSSI) obtained by the RHSS was compared with the cone index (CI), which was measured using a cone penetrometer. Comparison analysis in accordance with the measurement depth that increased at 5-cm interval was conducted using kriged maps at six sensing depths. For tillage control and evaluation of the power consumption, the system was installed with a potentiometer for tillage depth, a torque sensor from the rear axle, and a power take-off (PTO) shaft. Results: The HSSI was lower than the CI, but they were the same at 54.81% of the total grids for the 5-cm depth and at 3.85% for the 10-cm depth. In accordance with the recommended tillage map, tillage operations between 0 and 15 cm left 2.3% and 7% residue cover on the soil, and that between 20 and 10 cm covered a wider utilization of 3% and 18.4%, respectively. When the tillage depth was 15 cm, the comparison result of the power requirements between the PTO and rear axle in terms of control performance revealed that the maximum power requirements of the axle and PTO were 44.63 and 23.24 kW, respectively. Conclusions: An HSSI measurement system was evaluated by comparison with the conventional soil strength measurement system (CI) and applied to a tractor to compare the tillage power consumption. Further study is needed on its application to various farm works using a tractor for precision agriculture.

Development of a Real-Time Measurement System for Horizontal Soil Strength

Cho, Yongjin,Lee, Dong Hoon,Park, Wonyeop,Lee, Kyou Seung Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2015 바이오시스템공학 Vol.40 No.3

Purpose: Accurate monitoring of soil strength is a key technology applicable to various precision agricultural practices. Soil strength has been traditionally measured using a cone penetrometer, which is time-consuming and expensive, making it difficult to obtain the spatial data required for precision agriculture. To improve the current, inefficient method of measuring soil strength, our objective was to develop and evaluate an in-situ system that could measure horizontal soil strength in real-time, while moving across a soil bin. Methods: Multiple cone-shape penetrometers were horizontally assembled at the front of a vertical plow blade at intervals of 5 cm. Each penetrometer was directly connected to a load cell, which measured loads of 0-2.54 kN. In order to process the digital signals from every individual transducer concurrently, a microcontroller was embedded into the measurement system. Wireless data communication was used between a data storage device and this real-time horizontal soil strength (RHSS) measurement system travelling at 0.5 m/s through an indoor experimental soil bin. The horizontal soil strength index (HSSI) measured by the developed system was compared with the cone index (CI) measured by a traditional cone penetrometer. Results: The coefficient of determination between the CI and the HSSI at depths of 5 cm and 10 cm ($r^2=0.67$ and 0.88, respectively) were relatively less than those measured below 20 cm ($r^2{\geq}0.93$). Additionally, the measured HSSIs were typically greater than the CIs for a given numbers of compactor operations. For an all-depth regression, the coefficient of determination was 0.94, with a RMSE of 0.23. Conclusions: A HSSI measurement system was evaluated in comparison with the conventional soil strength measurement system, CI. Further study is needed, in the form of field tests, on this real-time measurement and control system, which would be applied to precision agriculture.

Sensing Technologies for Grain Crop Yield Monitoring Systems: A Review

Chung, Sun-Ok,Choi, Moon-Chan,Lee, Kyu-Ho,Kim, Yong-Joo,Hong, Soon-Jung,Li, Minzan Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2016 바이오시스템공학 Vol.41 No.4

Purpose: Yield monitoring systems are an essential component of precision agriculture. They indicate the spatial variability of crop yield in fields, and have become an important factor in modern harvesters. The objective of this paper was to review research trends related to yield monitoring sensors for grain crops. Methods: The literature was reviewed for research on the major sensing components of grain yield monitoring systems. These major components included grain flow sensors, moisture content sensors, and cutting width sensors. Sensors were classified by sensing principle and type, and their performance was also reviewed. Results: The main targeted harvesting grain crops were rice, wheat, corn, barley, and grain sorghum. Grain flow sensors were classified into mass flow and volume flow methods. Mass flow sensors were mounted primarily at the clean grain elevator head or under the grain tank, and volume flow sensors were mounted at the head or in the middle of the elevator. Mass flow methods used weighing, force impact, and radiometric approaches, some of which resulted in measurement error levels lower than 5% ($R^2=0.99$). Volume flow methods included paddle wheel type and optical type, and in the best cases produced error levels lower than 3%. Grain moisture content sensing was in many cases achieved using capacitive modules. In some cases, errors were lower than 1%. Cutting width was measured by ultrasonic distance sensors mounted at both sides of the header dividers, and the errors were in some cases lower than 5%. Conclusions: The design and fabrication of an integrated yield monitoring system for a target crop would be affected by the selection of a sensing approach, as well as the layout and mounting of the sensors. For accurate estimation of yield, signal processing and correction measures should be also implemented.