Showing papers by "University of Bedfordshire published in 1968"

Wire stripping tools

Abstract: The invention provides a tool for stripping the sheath or covering from a wire or cable, comprising a pair of gripping jaws for holding the sheath and a pair of cutting jaws for cutting the sheath, means for closing the pairs together and then for separating the pairs so as to displace the cut portion relative to the gripped portion, in which the displacing means includes a lost motion coupling so that an initial portion of the displacement is used for jaw closing but without effecting relative displacement, and with the jaw closing being effected by a cam which is arranged to provide for jaw opening at the end of the displacement movement.

A comparison of direct- and swath-harvesting of s24 ryegrass seed

Abstract: An experiment is described in which 32 plots of S24 ryegrass were harvested by two methods, direct- and swath-harvesting at four cutting dates over a period of 14 days. The difference between the two methods was marginal but highest yields and quality were obtained by cutting when seed moisture content was between 53 and 40% and harvesting from the swath when it was about 30%, By the time the seed in the uncut crop had reached 30% moisture, yield from direct harvesting was greater than that from cutting followed by swath-harvesting, although the yields from both methods were falling. The practical significance of these results is discussed.

Machine thinning of sugar beet: field trials with low seed rates

Abstract: SUMMARY Between 1964 and 1966 thirty-one field trials were completed in twelve factory areas of the British Sugar Corporation to examine the feasibility of using mechanical thinning in conjvinction with low seed rates (3–6 in spacing) and chemical weed control to minimize the demand for labour in the spring. The results showed that where chemical weed control was effective in machine-thinned crops no hand labour was required for establishment, but there were mean losses in yield of 1·3 tons per acre (7%) compared with similar crops that were hand singled. These losses in yield were unaffected by variations in seed rates. Mechanical harvesters worked more efficiently in low seed rates, especially where monogerm seed was used.