Dae-Cheol Kim

Modeling of Fuel Consumption Rate for Agricultural Tractors

A mathematical model was developed to predict the fuel consumption rate consumed by agricultural tractors under arbitrary loaded conditions. The model utilizes the measured data on the fuel consumptions at the full load and at the rated engine speed with partial loads, which can easily be obtained from the official OECD tractor test reports. It was found from the analysis of the measured fuel consumption data that the fuel consumptions at two different speeds does not change with power. The model was developed based on this fact and validated with the measured data of the 159 tractor test reports. The fuel consumptions predicted by the model were compared with those measured under the partially loaded conditions specified in the official OECD tractor test code II. The percent errors of the predicted fuel consumptions were in a range from 0.36 to 2.86% which assured that the developed fuel consumption model can be used practically to predict the fuel consumptions at any speed and power combinations. It was also shown that the developed model predicts the fuel consumption rate better than the Grisso`s model.

Case Study of Accelerated Life Test Method for Agricultural Tractor Transmission

This study was performed to develop accelerated life test methods for agricultural tractor transmission receiving variable load. To acquire parameters for calculation of accelerated life test, endurance tests were performed under different torque conditions. Test results showed that the shape factor of Weibull distribution was 1.5 and fatigue damage exponent was 5.4. The calculated test time was 5,877 hours under the conditions of average life (MTBF) 3,000 hours and 90% reliability for one test sample. According to the linear cumulative damage rule, test time could be reduced using increased test load. Test time could be reduced by 252 hours when 1.2 times of the rated load compared with 0.67 times of the rated equivalent load calculated by load spectrum of the agricultural tractor. Calculated acceleration coefficient was 23.3.

Comparison of Work Performance of Crank-type and Rotary-type Rotavators in Korean Farmland Conditions

Purpose: This study was conducted to understand the work performance of crank-type rotavators and compare them with those of rotary-type rotavators in Korean farmland conditions. Methods: Tillage operations were carried out using both rotavators with the same nominal rotavating width and rated power. During the operations, PTO speed and torque, actual work speed, and rotavating width and depth were measured. To evaluate work performance, pulverizing ratio, inversion ratio, and specific volumetric tilled soil were calculated and compared for each rotavator. Results: It is found that the crank-type rotavator has better specific volumetric tilled soil performance and deep tillage, while the pulverizing ratio is worse. Conclusions: Crank-type and rotary type rotavator have diffenent properties each other in several work performances. It`s important, therefore, to choose a suitable type of rotavator that satisfy the farmer`s requirements in accordance with the condition of field and the purpose of tillage operation.

Real Time Prediction of Rating Cone Index using Measured Wheel Sinkage and Slip

It has been known from Willoughby`s empirical equation that rating cone index can be determined if wheel sinkage and slip of a vehicle can be measured on soil surface. A field data of wheel sinkage and slip was collected from two tractors of different sizes on gravelly sand and gravelly loamy sand. Using the data, rating cone index of the soil was estimated. The estimated rating cone index demonstrated that it could be determined in real time by measuring wheel sinkage and slip. It was also demonstrated statistically that the same soil strength could be obtained under the same soil conditions regardless of the vehicle platforms used for the wheel sinkage and slip measurements.

Design Improvement of Mechanical Transmission for Tracked Small Agricultural Transporters through Gear Strength Analysis

Purpose: The gear strength of a new mechanical transmission designed to increase the loading weight of small 4.8 kW tracked agricultural transporters was analyzed. Design improvements to increase the gear strength and reduce the gear weight were proposed after examining the parameters. Methods: Sixteen operators from three regions were surveyed to obtain the usage profile of small 4.8 kW transporters. Gear strength was evaluated by calculating contact stress and tooth root stress using commercial software following ISO 6336. Results: From the strength calculation for each gear pair, contact stress smaller than tooth root stresses were produced in all gear pairs. The safety factors in most cases exceeded 1.0, except in the case of gear pair II in group II. The design life of the transporter using gear pair II in group II was 42% under harsh conditions-thus, this design life needs improvement. A robust design was proposed by examining the relevant parameters (face width and profile shift coefficient) to increase the design life of the transporter. In addition, a lightweight design for gear pair I in group II that was considered overdesigned was proposed by examining the face width to reduce the weight of the drive gear by 42% and that of the driven gear by 30%. Conclusions: The Safety factor for the design life was examined through a gear strength analysis. After examining the relevant parameters, conditions for strength improvement were proposed to increase design life or adjust overdesigned gear. However, load conditions differ depending on the working conditions or user`s preferences; therefore, it is necessary to conduct further studies in various regions.

Study on Optimal Working Conditions for Picking Head of Self-Propelled Pepper Harvester by Factorial Test

, 2016Purpose: Pepper prices have risen continuously because of a decrease in cultivation area; therefore, mechanical harvesting systems for peppers should be developed to reduce cost, time, and labor during harvest. In this study, a screw type picking head for a self-propelled pepper harvester was developed, and the optimal working conditions were evaluated considering helix types, winding directions of helix, and rotational speeds of the helix. Methods: The screw type was selected for the picking head after analyzing previous studies, and the device consisted of helices and a feed chain mechanism for conveying pepper branches. A double helix and a triple helix were manufactured, and rotational speeds of 200, 300, and 400 rpm were tested. The device was controlled by a variable speed (VS) motor and an inverter. Both the forward and reverse directions were tested for the winding and rotating directions of the helix. An experiment crop (cultivar: Longgreenmat) was cultivated in a plastic greenhouse. The test results were analyzed using the SAS program with ANOVA to examine the relationship between each factor and the performance of the picking head. Results: The results of the double and triple helix tests in the reverse direction showed gross harvest efficiency levels of 60–95%, mechanical damage rates of 8–20%, and net marketable portion rates of 50–80%. The dividing ratio was highest at a rotational speed of 400 rpm. Gross harvest efficiency was influenced by the types of helix and rotational speed. Net marketable portion was influenced by rotational speed but not influenced by the type of helix. Mechanical damage was not influenced by the type of helix or rotational speed. Conclusions: Best gross harvest efficiency was obtained at a rotational speed of 400 rpm; however, operating the device at that speed resulted in vibration, which should be reduced. Keywords: Factorial test, Pepper harvester, Picking head, Screw type, Working conditions

Delayed Operation Characteristics of Power Shuttle According to Hydraulic Oil Temperature in the Hydraulic Circuit of Agricultural Tractor

Purpose: During the start-up period, the response time of a hydraulic system increases in the winter because of the increased oil viscosity caused by the cold weather. The problems of delayed tractor starting and excessive wear of the clutch disk occur for these reasons. Therefore, this study develops an analysis model using the commercial hydraulic analysis program AMESim to examine the characteristics of delays in power shuttle starting at different oil temperatures. Methods: In the experiment, a tractor was stationary on a flat surface with the engine running at a constant speed of 1,080 rpm. The forward lever was then pressed to activate the power shuttle at three different oil temperatures, and the pressure changes were measured. The pressure on the forward clutch control valve was measured by a pressure gauge installed on the hydraulic line supplied to the transmission from the main valve. An analysis model was also developed and verified with actual tests. Results: The trend of the simulated pressures of the power shuttle is similar to that of the measured pressures, and a constant modulation period was observed in both the simulation and test results. However, the difference found between the simulation and test results was the initial pressure required to overcome the initial force of the clutch spring. Conclusions: This study also examines the characteristics of the delayed startup of the power shuttle at different oil temperatures through simulations.

Comparison of Tillage and Loads Characteristics of Three Types of Rotavators: Rotary-type, Crank-type, and Plow-type

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare tillage and loads characteristics of three types of rotavators in farmland working condition of Korea. Methods: Tillage operations using three types of rotavators, i.e. rotary-type, crank-type and plow-type, were carried out in a dry field of Korea. The same prime mover tractor was used for driving three types of rotavators, and under several operational conditions, tillage characteristics such as actual working speed, rotavating depth, rotavating width, actual field capacity, flow of tilled soil, s oil inversion ratio, and pulverizing ratio were measured. In addition, loads characteristics like torque and required power of Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft were calculated. Results: The average rotavating depth was smaller than the nominal value for all rotavators, and the difference was the greatest in the plow-type rotavator. Nevertheless, the plow-type rotavator showed the largest rotavating depth. The rotavating width was the same as the nominal value of all rotavators. The flow of tilled soil at the same operational conditions was the greatest in the plow-type rotavator and was the smallest in the rotary-type rotavator. In the most commonly used gear conditions of L2 and L3, the average soil pulverizing ratio was the greatest in the rotary-type rotavator, and followed by crank-type and plow-type rotavators in order. In the gear L2 and L3, the plow-type rotavator also had the lowest average soil inversion ratio while the rotary-type and crank-type rotavators had the same soil inversion ratio each other. The average torque and power of PTO shaft in the gear L2 and L3 were the highest in the plow-type rotavator. The load spectra of PTO shaft applying rain flow counting method and Smith-Waston-Topper equation to the measured torque showed that the modified torque amplitude was the greatest in the crank-type rotavator. This may come from the large torque fluctuation of crank-type rotavator during tillage operations. Conclusions: The three types of rotavators had different tillage and loads characteristics. The plow-type rotavator had the deepest rotavating depth, the smallest soil inversion ratio, the largest soil pulverizing ratio and required PTO power. Also, the crank-type rotavator showed a large torque fluctuation because of their unique operational mechanism. This study will help the farmers choose a suitable type of rotavator for effective tillage operations.