Design, Development and Evaluation of Foot-Operated Sugarcane Sett Cutter

Abstract

One of the important unit operations in sugarcane cultivation is sett cutting. The number of setts of three buds for normal planting per ha is 37,000–40,000, but farmers use up to 75,000 with two buds at narrow row-row distance. The study conducted in the selected villages indicated in-situ sett cutting and hand operated knife (500 g) is being used for sett cutting. Ergonomically study predicted the use of heavy muscle power for hand operated knife (Kathhi) during continuous cutting through impact force. Minor injury was also reported during sett cutting with a hand cutter. The chemical composition of the traditional sett cutting tool (Kathhi) for carbon content was analysed and very low carbon steel (carbon content < 0.15%) was found. That showed the need to sharpen the blade frequently. Considering the ergonomics principle and mechanical aspects, a foot-operated sett cutter was designed and developed that can be used by male and female subjects. This foot-operated sett cutter consisted of a platform, cutter, and pedal assembly. The weight of the developed unit is 28 kg. The capacity of the cutter was 830 and 673 setts h⁻¹ in standing posture and 700 and 620 setts h⁻¹ in sitting postures with male and female workers, respectively. The number of setts cut per hour was 10.84% and 9.80% higher with developed sett cutters with male and female workers compared to the traditional sett cutting tool (Kathhi). The force required to be applied by the subject was only for less than one second in both postures, only after the foot pedal returned through the spring attached to its lever arm. The operating cost per 1000 setts was 8% less with the developed operated foot-operated sett-cutter as compared to Kathhi. The developed sett cutter has the potential for adoption by the marginal and small farmers of the country as well as developing countries.