MTech.

A vertical conveyor reaper-windrower suitable for mounting
on KAMCO 9hp powertiller was developed Kerala for the first
time. After considering the maneuvrability, weight
distribution, field capacity and power transmission, the 1.6m
width vertical reaper was selected for the KAMCO powertiller and
was locally fabricated.
The complete rotavator unit was dismantled and a newly
designed power transmission unit was fitted on the KAMCO
powertiller. The handle was kept at an ergonomically suitable
height of 1m. A combination frame was developed inorder to
accommodate both the engine and the reaper at the most appropriate
location to achieve the static and dynamic balancing during field
operation after the removal of rotavator. The centre of gravity
of the engine at the new location was 50mm in front of the wheel
axle and at a height of 180mm from its original position.
Field evaluation of the reaper was carried out during
November and December, 1996 at Tavanur. The front mounted reaper-
windrower was evaluated to find out the optimum engine speed and
forward speed to achieve better harvesting and windrowing pattern,
maximum field capacity and field efficiency with less harvesting
losses were found out. For the recommended engine speed of 1200
to 1400rpm at low first and low second gears a forward speed of
0.53 to O. 94m per sec. was obtained in the field. The actual
cutting width was 1.5m. The maximum field efficiency of 85 per
cent was obtained for first gear when the engine rpm was 1200.
Actual field capacity for this speed was 0.224ha per hr.
It was seen that for the recommended engine speed between
1200 to 1400rpm a normal forward speed of (.53 to 0. 94m/sec was


obtained with an average actual field capacity of 0.25 ha/hr and
an average total grain loss of 1.9 per cent in the field.
Downward handle reaction for this recommended speeds varied
between 9 to 14 kgf at the time releasing the clutch or using the
accelarator.
By the use of powertiller reaper a labour saving of 82.5 per
cent was obtained. The owner would get a monitory benefit of
Rs.1210/ha while the farmer hiring the reaper would get a saving
of Rs.830/ha compared to manual harvesting. The initial invest of
the owner would be paid back within 2 years if he could hire it
out for 1000hrs per year.
The total weight of the unit is 451kg which is 34kg less
than the original weight the powertiller with rotavator unit. Its
overall dimensions are L:279S x W: 1650 x h: 1510mm and the total
cost is Rs.1,16,500.