Development of mini-tractor operated turmeric harvester for small farmers

This study was aimed to develop the mini-tractor drawn turmeric harvester cum conveyor to dig out and collect the turmeric rhizome. The physical properties of freshly harvested turmeric mother and finger rhizomes (Erode variety) relevant to the development of minitractor operated turmeric harvester were determined. Length, width and thickness were 7.90, 2.48, 2.32 cm, respectively. The moisture content of finger and mother rhizomes was found to be 386.85 and 231.56 % (db). The roundness of fresh finger and mother rhizomes were 0.3065 and 0.5244, respectively. Sphericity of the fresh finger and mother rhizomes recorded 0.3052 and 0.4312, respectively. The cylindricity of fresh finger and mother rhizomes was found to be 0.7604 and 0.6428, respectively. The bulk density of finger and mother rhizomes was 523.85 and 532.25 kg/m3, respectively. Based on these physical properties, the equipment was developed with overall dimensions of 1000×1000×600 mm (L×W×H). The digger blade was designed with dimensions of 1000(l) × 200(b) × 8(t) mm. Length and width of conveyor is 700 mm and 1000 mm, respectively. Power required for digging, pulling the equipment and conveyor is 11.54 kW, 0.66 kW and 1.15 kW, respectively. Total power requirement of the unit is 13.35 kW.