Laboratory investigations on cutting torque and efficiency for topping of onion leaves using wire-type rotary unit
Date
2022
Authors
Kumawat, L.
Raheman, H.
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Journal article
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Journal of Biosystems Engineering, 2022; 47(4):428-438
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Abstract
Purpose: Topping is a prerequisite in harvesting of onion crop.
Methods: A laboratory setup comprising a rotary cutting unit with wire as working element was developed to measure the torque required to cut onion leaves along with topping efficiency. The developed set up simulated the topping process of an onion topper in actual field condition which helped to analyze the effect of different operational parameters (rotational speeds of cutting unit, cutting width, and forward speed of the machine) on cutting torque and topping efficiency. Experimental data obtained from this setup revealed that the rotary speed of the cutting unit and forward speed of the harvester should be below 1800 rpm and 1.2 km h−1, respectively; otherwise, it may damage the onion leaves with poor topping efficiency. Mature onion crop (Pusa Red) at 110 days after transplanting were chosen as experimental samples. The range of cutting speed, cutting width, and forward speed were 1200–1800 rpm, 300–600 mm, and 0.22–0.33 m s−1, respectively.
Results: Results showed that cutting torque requirement decrease with increase in cutting speed and increase with increase in cutting width and forward speed. The topping efficiency increased with increase in cutting speed, and it decreased with increase in forward speed. Cutting torque and topping efficiency estimation models based on multiple regression were also developed as a function of cutting speed, width, and forward speed of the machine.
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Copyright 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery