Design, construction and evaluation of small-engine powered shallow cultivator-pulverizer / Michael Angelo DG Figueroa

Thesis Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering University of Rizal System - Tanay 2014

Includes bibliographical references

The main purpose of this study was to design, construct and evaluate the performance of small-engine powered shallow cultivator-pulverizer. The machine has an actual working width of 29 cm and 2.1 cm depth of cut. The effective field capacity of the small-engine powered shallow cultivator-pulverizer was higher than hand-held hoe at about 27.31 % when weeding and 34.49% when pulverizing. The time of operation using machine is lesser also work and fatigue are reduced. The weeding efficiency of the small-engine powered shallow cultivator-pulverizer is lower than the hand-held hoe, but it passed the 80% weeding efficiency based on the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard. The pulverizing efficiency of small-engine powered shallow cultivator-pulverizer is not significantly different compared to hand-held hoe, but they differ in terms of effective field capacity. The fatigue factor of the machine is 0.55 m2/hr for weeding and 0.48 m2/hr for pulverizing with field efficiency of 91.99% and 80.49% respectively. The operating cost of the small-engine powered shallow cultivator-pulverizer is Php 959.03. the break-even point sale is Php 5,832.00, payback period is 1.05 years and 3.25% return on investment for 10 years. The net benefit of the small-engine powered shallow cultivator-pulverizer is Php 1,264.50 for 10 years.