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| Assessment of Tractor Hourly and Tilled Area Fuel Consumptions Variability during Ridging Operation
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Ekemube, Raymond Alex, Nkakini, Silas Ovua, Tom, Cyprian N.
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Abstract:
It is obvious that fuel consumption in farm practices to boast mechanization of agriculture is a major concern. This study field experiments were executed to assess the variability in tractor hourly and tilled area fuel consumptions during ridging operation. A 138 m by 50 m (6900m2) experimental plot was cleared and divided into three blocks of nine sub-blocks. For different treatments, each block was drawn out in 2 m by 50 m. Alleys to the plot of dimensions of 1m by 50m were provided. The tractor and equipment utilized in the tillage operations were DFM 100CD fuel flow meter, disc ridger and Swaraj 978FE. Soil-implement-machine parameters (draught, moisture content, bulk density, tractor forward speed, ridge height, width of cut), time and tractor fuel efficiency parameters (hourly fuel consumption (FCh) and tilled area fuel consumption (FCta)) during ridging operations were assessed. The data from the field experiment were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and coefficient of variation (CV). From the results, the FCh and FCta increased in line with working time and tilled area. ANOVA results revealed a significant difference with 95 percent confidence levels and a highly significant difference with 99 percent confidence levels, as well as coefficients of variation (CV) of (a) 0.19 percent and (b) 0.16 percent; and (a) 0.13 percent and (b) 0.10 percent, indicating that experimental error was low and reliable. Generally, the variability in tractor hourly and tiled area fuel consumption during ridging operation are influenced by differences in the soil-implement-machine parameters and hence become the decisive factors for the management of fuel consumption.
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