Development of Adjustable Reciprocating Rotary Weeder

Weeding is a labor intensive agricultural unit operation that needs to be controlled to ensure profitable agricultural activities as uncontrolled weed will lean or damage your harvest. The use of various blades for weeding has been the research focus for decades, but the use of rotary blades is less reported and it formed the base of this project. A developed adjustable reciprocating blades weeder for effective weeding was developed to eliminate weeds without much damage to the crops and soils around them. Parametric equations were used to characterize the motion of the weeding tine's route. Particular focus was placed on the kinematic parameters, their interactions with the weed control machine parts coupled with the trajectory movement and speed of the front rotating tine for effective operations of the tillage equipment. These established the design standard for the machinery and tools, thus appropriating for earthmoving operations. In order to test the machine for dry land crops, spear grasses and shrubs areas were used. Weeding efficiency and weeding index of the weeder were assessed during the test. It was observed that as the speed of the machine increased the weeding index and weeding efficiency also increased.