Current Science

The PDF file you selected should load here if your Web browser has a PDF reader plug-in installed (for example, a recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader).

If you would like more information about how to print, save, and work with PDFs, Highwire Press provides a helpful Frequently Asked Questions about PDFs.

Alternatively, you can download the PDF file directly to your computer, from where it can be opened using a PDF reader. To download the PDF, click the Download link above.

Fullscreen Fullscreen Off


Existing manual hoes are dynamic push-pull weeders, but their designs are based on static force exertions. A test rig was developed to optimize the speed and force exertions. At 1.0 km h-1, an operator can exert 20 to 25 kgf. Based on optimized results V-shaped blade (V) and straight blade (S) weeders were developed and evaluated along with the existing twin wheel hoe (T). Performance of the V and S weeders was higher than T. The field capacities were 0.026, 0.033 and 0.33 ha h-1 and energy expenditures were 20.35, 18.82 and 18.78 kJ min-1 respectively, for T, S and V; however V was best amongst the three.

Keywords

Dynamic Force, Energy Expenditure, Field Capacity, Heart Rate, LCP.
User
Notifications
Font Size