Development of a Tool to Determine the Energy Required to Cut and Top Sugarcane

Authors

  • Suleiman Samaila Department of Agricultural Engineering, Adamawa State Polytechnic Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Hamid Mohammed Al-Sharief Department of Agricultural Engineering, Adamawa State Polytechnic Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Salihu Ahmed Abdulkadir Department of Agricultural Engineering, Adamawa State Polytechnic Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Harvesting machines, energy requirement, self-sufficiency, evaluation test

Abstract

Sugarcane harvesting is a labor intensive operation and its mechanization is a recent development in Nigeria. The difficulties in providing the needed spare parts for the imported harvesting machines and labor shortages during harvesting periods impede the country’s drive towards self-sufficiency in sugar production. To develop an effective and efficient machine for harvesting of sugarcane, a preliminary data on the energy requirement for the cutting and topping of sugarcane must be available to the designer. A simple apparatus was developed to calculate the energy requirement for cutting and topping of sugarcane. The apparatus consists of: crank, sprocket, chain, freewheel, flange, front hub, spindle, frame and the base support. The result of evaluation test reveals that 15.71 Joules and 23.83 Joules were needed for cutting the top and base of the sugarcane, respectively.

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Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2012): July 2012

Section

Articles