Performance evaluation of a low-powered electric platform prototype under various agricultural purposes = Performance evaluation of a low-powered electric platform prototype under various agricultural purposes

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Multi-purpose platform of a machine performs various agricultural operations that can reduce labor and enhance the convenience of aged people and women. To obtain the maximum working efficiency and reliability of a prototype machine, a field experiment is required. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the performance of a electric-drive tracked platform based on the power and pulling force analysis to conduct the major agricultural operations in different load and speed conditions. Grass mowing, and chemical spraying operations were selected as primary agricultural activities to evaluate the performance of the prototype tracked-platform. A data acquisition system was established with a torque sensor and a load cell to measure the maximum torque and pulling force. To record the working speeds of the platform, a global positioning system (GPS) was used. The field experiment was conducted on sandy clay loam soil condition on a 50 m operational path and the maximum speed was recorded up to 8 km/h (1 to 8 km/h). The average power requirements for a whole system (lawnmower + sprayer-trailer), a sprayer-trailer filled with 150 L of water, a lawnmower (without sprayer-trailer), and a platform itself were 1.27±0.35, 1.70±.13, 0.93±0.21, and 1.45±.19 kW, respectively. The maximum pulling force was measured 1.98±1.12, 0.614±0.46, and 19.28±11.32 kgf for hauling the rear trailer at 150L-payload condition, and 0.81±0.60, 0.416±.34, and 4.50±3.88 kgf at the unloaded condition in X, Y, and Z direction, respectively. The highest amount of average power and pulling force were recorded at maximum load condition. The power and pulling force requirements were fluctuated due to the effects of the different driving speeds. This study would help to provide information to the manufacturer for advance modifications of the tracked-platform.