Showing papers in "Applied Engineering in Agriculture in 1985"
TL;DR: In this paper, an equation is presented that estimates ETo from measured values of daily or mean values of maximum and minimum temperature. But this equation is compared with various other methods for estimating ETo.
Abstract: MEASURED lysimeter evapotranspiration of Alta fescue grass (a cool season grass) is taken as an index of reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo). An equation is presented that estimates ETo from measured values of daily or mean values of maximum and minimum temperature. This equation is compared with various other methods for estimating ETo. The equation was developed using eight years of daily lysimeter data from Davis, California and used to estimate values of ETo for other locations. Comparisons with other methods with measured cool season grass evapotranspiration at Aspendale, Australia; Lompoc, California; and Seabrook, New Jersey; with lysimeter data from Damin, Haiti; and with the modified Penman for various locations in Bangladesh indicated that the method usually does not require local calibration and that the estimated values are probably as reliable and useable as those from the other estimating methods used for comparison. Considering the scarcity of complete and reliable climatic data for estimating crop water requirements in developing countries, this proposed method can do much to improve irrigation planning design and scheduling in the developing countries.
3,252 citations
TL;DR: A summary of the current state of the art of chemical application through irrigation systems can be found in this paper, where the authors discuss the effectiveness of both soil and foliar applied chemicals.
Abstract: THIS article provides a summary of the current state of the art of chemical application through irrigation systems. Chemigation of both soil and foliar applied chemicals can be effective and is economical. Eighty-four percent of the total chemigated area (4.6 million ha) in the U.S. was chemigated with sprinkler systems in 1983 with 43%, 61% and 3.5% of the sprinkler, trickle and surface irrigated areas, respectively, being chemigated at least once.
46 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a no-tillage system using permanent wide beds for cropping is described and analyzed with respect to dimensions of commerically available farm machinery for visualized No-Tillage cropping systems.
Abstract: AN experimental no-tillage system uses permanent wide beds for cropping. In compactible soils, all field traffic must be kept off the beds and in the intervening furrows to avoid the need for restorative tillage. Effective use of wide bed systems requires the matching of both the working widths and wheel track spacing of all system machines with the bed furrow spacings and the crop row spacings. Various widths and combinations of permanent wide beds were analyzed with respect to dimensions of commerically-available farm machinery for visualized no-tillage cropping systems. It was found that controlled traffic with permanent wide beds requires uniform bed widths or a hybrid system using alternating bed widths to accommodate the restricted wheel spacing of farm implements. All machines operated in conjunction with conventional row crop tractors must have bed widths of 60 to 90 in. Wide axle 4WD tractors and large combines require up to 120-in. bed widths. Dual wheels must be eliminated and replaced with tandem wheel arrangements. Tire width must also be minimized to avoid compaction of cropping areas. Cropping systems using permanent wide beds and controlled traffic can be implemented with the current restrictions of commercially-available equipment by carefully planning and selecting bed widths and equipment dimensions.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the power, pressure, and grain velocity of a pressure pneumatic grain conveying system were evaluated using dry shelled corn, and two system configurations (10 cm or 4 in diameter conveying pipe) were tested at grain flow rates of 3 to 20 t/h (100 to 800 bu/h) and at conveying air velocities of 15 to 30 m/s (3000 to 6000 fpm).
Abstract: POWER, pressure, and grain velocity of a pressure pneumatic grain conveying system were evaluated using dry shelled corn. Two system configurations (10 cm or 4 in diameter conveying pipe) were tested at grain flow rates of 3 to 20 t/h (100 to 800 bu/h) and at conveying air velocities of 15 to 30 m/s (3000 to 6000 fpm). Energy usage per tonne decreased as grain flow increased and increased as air velocity increased. All system pressure components increased proportionally as grain flow increased. Total system pressure was minimized with an air velocity of 20 m/s (4000 fpm). Pressure drop to initially accelerate corn was the same for both piping configurations and increased as air velocity increased. Pressure drop in the vertical pipe section decreased as air velocity increased. Median grain velocity decreased as grain flow increased. Reported values for terminal grain velocity approximated the difference between air velocity and grain velocity at locations where grain speeds were highest. At air velocities of 20 m/s (4000 fpm) or less, kernel velocity and corresponding potential for kernel impact damage were low.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated several methods of reducing the energy required to break plowpans in under-row chiseling and found that 75% of the acreage of the above crops in the coastal plains of Georgia was covered.
Abstract: SOME methods of reducing energy required to break plowpans were evaluated during the last two years. This work was initiated in an effort to reduce the energy required to break plowplans as commonly practiced in under-row subsoiling. Trials were initially conducted at The University of Georgia Southeast Branch Experiment Station located at Midville, Georgia. Under-row subsoiling or chiseling is widely used in the coastal plains in the Southeastern United States with major row crops such as tobacco, soybeans, corn, cotton and grain sorghum. The authors estimate this practice to be used on at least 75% of the acreage of the above crops in the coastal plains of Georgia. In conjunction with the under-row subsoiling, it is common practice to make beds immediately over the slot made by the subsoiler in a once-over tillage operation. After the plowpans are broken and the beds are formed, the soil is normally left undisturbed for several weeks, hopefully with at least one rain before the beds are knocked down exposing a level, moist soil for planting. This provides a mellow, moist seedbed almost ideally suited for row crops. The power requirement to pull the under-row subsoiler-bedder is fairly high, often requiring dual wheels with hydro ballast or even four wheel drive tractors in some instances. Most conditions require about 22.5 kW (30 hp) per row at field speeds of 6.4 km/h (4 mph). Traction is a major problem in sandy soils where the plowpans must be penetrated and broken below the sandy layer 20.3 to 30.5 cm (8 to 12 in.) below the soil surface. If the plowpan is not broken, the plant and root development is often hampered with yield reduction common. Thus the practice of subsoiling under the row is widely accepted in the coastal plains of Georgia and increasingly in the Southeast.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors collected samples from five farms, five country elevators, and a port elevator in Argentina and found that corn was relatively high in test weight and in kernel density, yet stress cracks were prevalent in corn lots which had been dried with high temperature air.
Abstract: SINCE Argentina is a major corn (maize) exporting country it is important for U.S. producers, processors, equipment manufacturers, and grain merchandisers to be aware of the various quality attributes of Argentine corn. Samples of corn were collected from five farms, five country elevators, and a port elevator in Argentina. Corn was relatively high in test weight and in kernel density. Samples had high percentages of whole kernels, yet stress cracks were prevalent in corn lots which had been dried with high temperature air, resulting in rapid moisture removal. Depending on drying methods, percentages of kernels with stress cracks ranged from 4 to 82% while breakage susceptibility values ranged from 9 to 50%. Broken corn and foreign material at the farm level averaged 0.7%, while it averaged 5.0% on one export vessel.
5 citations
TL;DR: A computer model using animated graphics was developed for the purpose of informing farm workers of the importance of effective communication in reducing tractor accidents and improving production efficiency.
Abstract: A computer model using animated graphics was developed for the purpose of informing farm workers of the importance of effective communication in reducing tractor accidents and improving production efficiency. The model teaches proper use of the ASAE-approved hand signals and tests the competency of each user. The model was shown to be an effective educational tool for adults and secondary school students. The use of graphic animation was shown to decrease training time, reduce training costs, and greatly increase knowledge of hand signals.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a system for moduling tree prunings was constructed and field tested, which included a heavy-duty module builder, a specially designed module cutter, and a tub grinder.
Abstract: A system for moduling tree prunings was constructed and field tested. The system included a heavy-duty module builder, a specially designed module cutter, and a tub grinder. 904 modules of almond tree prunings were made over two pruning seasons. Average time to make one module was 0.35 h. Average module density was 89 kg/m3 (5.6 lb/ft3). Wood in the modules dried from 30% to 10% moisture content wet basis over a period of 4 months. A cutter was developed to cut the modules into two or three sections to fit a 3 m (10 ft) diameter tub grinder. Throughput capacity of the tub grinder with cut modules was two to three times higher than with loose brush. Total estimated cost to module, grind, and transport tub ground brush 50 km was $31.45/t ($28.50/ton) dry basis.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a C shaped rectangular frame 2.4 m high and 3 m long, open at the bottom, with a continuous tensioned saw chain driven around the inner periphery.
Abstract: A device to cut bulk modules of tree prunings was developed as part of a harvesting system for prunings. The complete harvesting system includes a modified cotton module builder, module transporter, tub grinder, and the modular cutter. Modules of tree prunings made with a heavy duty module builder are cut into two of three sections with the module cutter. Module sections are then loaded into the tub grinder to produce marketable biomass products such as boiler fuel, mushroom compost, and others. The development of the module cutting device was a key link in the overall system. A full size prototype module cutter was designed, fabricated, and field tested. The forklift mounted machine consists of a C shaped rectangular frame 2.4 m high and 3 m long, open at the bottom, with a continuous tensioned saw chain driven around the inner periphery. The hydraulically driven saw chain is unsupported along the lower, cutting span. Two 3 m long forks mounted on an auxiliary mast of the forklift are used to lift the module and separate the cut to avoid chain binding and facilitate removal of the chain after cutting. Field tests over two pruning seasons indicated the machine would make amore » minimum of 11 cuts/h for a cost of $2.77/t ($2.51/ton) of wood. The actual performance was within the design specifications of the cutter.« less
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a self contained, trailer-mounted, flowing furrow infiltrometer was developed by the Soil Conservation Service cooperatively with the Agricultural Research Service in Arizona to assist in characterizing the furrow infiltration phenomena under field conditions.
Abstract: INFILTRATION processes must be understood to optimally design, evaluate or manage furrow irrigation systems. The utility of evaluating furrow infiltration using flowing water rather than static water has been demonstrated previously. A self contained, trailer-mounted, flowing furrow infiltrometer was developed by the Soil Conservation Service cooperatively with the Agricultural Research Service in Arizona to assist in characterizing the furrow infiltration phenomena under field conditions. A description of the equipment, procedure for its use, and sample calculations of infiltration are presented.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a 40-crate farrowing house was monitored and evaluated as a function of outdoor air temperature on a monthly basis, and the overall efficiency of the solar system generally ranged between 10 and 30% even though the collector itself delivered about 35% of the available solar radiation.
Abstract: THERMAL energy used in a 40-crate farrowing house was monitored from December, 1980, to May, 1985. Energy supplied from the animals, a commercial solar system, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and electric heat lamps was monitored and evaluated as a function of outdoor air temperature on a monthly basis. Heat from animals represented about one half the total energy required to heat the building in winter. Solar system performance was evaluated as a function of available solar radiation and outdoor temperature. The overall efficiency of the solar system generally ranged between 10 and 30% even though the collector itself delivered about 35% of the available solar radiation. In bright sunshine, decreasing the outdoor temperature from 16 to — 7°C (60 to 20°F) caused the amount of solar energy collected to drop 19%. Economically, the $12,000 solar system replaced about $900 worth of LPG per year in Ohio. Because collector efficiency increased with solar radiation, the economics of the system should improve in other cold locations with more solar radiation.
TL;DR: In this paper, a computer program and a graphical approach were developed to predict required drying time for numerous fresh fruits and vegetables, using humidity ratio difference and air flow rates as manipulated variables.
Abstract: FOR numerous fresh fruits and vegetables, drying of surface adhering water is required to facilitate materials handling and wax treatments. Using humidity ratio difference and air flow rates as manipulated variables, a computer program and a graphical approach were developed to predict required drying time. Modeling results were extended to investigate air recycling and the relationship of recycling on energy requirements.
TL;DR: In this article, a crop drier totally energized with wood chips was designed, fabricated, and evaluated, and an internal combustion engine fueled from a downdraft gas producer drove the drier blower and waste heat from the engine and gas production system heated the air.
Abstract: A crop drier totally energized with wood chips has been designed, fabricated, and evaluated. An internal combustion engine fueled from a downdraft gas producer drives the drier blower and waste heat from the engine and gas production system heats the air. Drier performance was 3570 kJ of energy consumed per kg of moisture removed from grain.
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey was implemented to examine flue-cured tobacco barns for their state of maintenance and to interview farmers on their curing techniques, with the objective of identifying possible ways of improving energy efficiency during bulk tobacco curing on the farm.
Abstract: CURING costs can be reduced by effective management and regular maintenance of flue-cured tobacco barns. A survey was implemented to examine flue-cured tobacco barns for their state of maintenance and to interview farmers on their curing techniques, with the objective of identifying possible ways of improving energy efficiency during bulk tobacco curing on the farm. With improved tobacco barn maintenance, survey results indicate possible average savings of $300 per curing season for 70% of the tobacco barns examined. Savings for the flue-cured tobacco belt are projected to be as much as $15 million per year if similar improvements were to be implemented on all bulk tobacco barns.