Development and Performance Evaluation of a Tractor Powered Manure Pulverizer cum Applicator

Abstract

Organic manures such as farm yard manure, green manure etc., when incorporated into the soil not only add nutrients but enriches the soil by the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Manures (FYM, vermicompost, edible oil cakes etc.,) are an important resources which provide nutrients that could reduce bagged fertilizer costs and improves the crop growth and performance. A well-managed manure is a valuable resource in providing nutrients for crop production. Use of farm yard manure and other organic manure is the way out to overcome the problems of soil degradation, loss of fertility and soil health. Manual application of manure consumes more time and labour. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to develop and evaluate the performance of a tractor powered manure pulverizer cum applicator. The components of the machine were developed to suit the various dosages of manure without much variation in the distribution efficiency. The actual field capacity and efficiency of manure pulverizer cum applicator was found out to be 0.311 ha h -1 and 86.5 % at a forward speed of 2.0 km h -1 , 0.356 ha h -1 and 79.2 % at a forward speed of 2.5 km h -1 and 0.395 ha h -1 and 73.1 % at a forward speed of 3.0 km h -1 . Maximum field capacity was noted at a traveling speed of 3.0 km h -1 . A larger application rate of 1387.1 kg ha -1 for cow dung, 1624.4 kg ha -1 for goat faecal pellets and 1618.6 kg ha -1 for neem cake was noted at an engine rpm of 2500, forward speed of 2 km h -1 with a field capacity of 0.31 ha h -1 . With increasing the forward speed to 2.5 and 3.0 km h -1 , field capacity increases but the application rate is decreased. The cost of manure pulverizer cum applicator alone is Rs. 64,000. Cost of operation of manure pulverizer cum applicator as an attachment to tractor as explained in Section 3.4 was found as 583.05 Rs h -1 and 1943.5 Rs ha -1 . Cost of manual manure application followed by manure pulverization was 582.7 Rs h -1 and 4662.2 Rs ha -1 .