Development of Tractor Front Mounted Conveyor Based Pulses Crop Harvester

The aim of the study was to develop an efficient and cost-effective tractor-front-mounted conveyor-based pulse crop harvester to meet the increasing demand for mechanized harvesting methods, particularly for crops like chickpeas, lentils, and black gram. The research is based on the principles of agricultural mechanization, focusing on optimizing key crop parameters such as cutting force requirements, plant spacing, row spacing, and stem diameter. These factors are crucial in selecting appropriate motors and cutting blades to enhance harvesting efficiency of pulse crops. The study involves torque calculations to determine the power requirements for cutting and conveying units, with results showing 1.24 Nm and 7.06 Nm, respectively. A gear motor was employed to ensure the proper conveyance of cut crops at a linear speed of 0.54 m/s. Field tests were conducted in a black gram field to evaluate the harvester's effectiveness under varying conditions. Field tests demonstrated the harvester's ability to handle premature crops, with cutting efficiency ranging from 71.04% to 75.06% at different forward speeds. The harvester achieved a maximum field capacity of 0.225 ha/h at a speed of 1.50 km/h, with a corresponding field efficiency of 75.02%. The working capacity varied from 0.831 ha/day to 1.80 ha/day, proving its suitability for pulse harvesting. Power consumption analysis indicated a total power requirement of 0.569 kW, enabling the harvester to operate for approximately 4 hours on a fully charged 12V, 200 Ah batteries. The developed harvester provides a viable solution for pulse crop harvesting, addressing the need for mechanization in pulse cultivation. Its efficiency and economic feasibility make it an attractive option for widespread adoption, contributing to improved productivity in Indian agriculture.