Kendall R. Kirk

Development of a Yield Monitor for Peanut Research Plots

A yield monitoring system for a peanut combine was developed to record harvest data from research test plots. The system collects a batch of peanuts from each research plot into a weighing bin, weighs the batch, dumps the batch into a duct, and then pneumatically conveys the batch to the primary basket. The weighing bin is suspended from load cells connected to a monitor. For the conveyance cycle, an electrical control circuit operates a 12 VDC gear motor coupled to a hatch in the bottom of the weighing bin. Peanuts are conveyed from the air duct to the primary basket using a centrifugal blower driven by a hydraulic motor. A small hopper was included to collect samples from each batch for quality analyses. Conventional research plot harvesting required three individuals: a tractor operator, someone to bag samples from the harvester and haul sacks, and someone to weigh the peanut sacks. The developed system reduced the harvest operation to only one individual when quality samples are not required and to two individuals when required. Preliminary field trials indicated that the system was successful in collecting, accurately weighing, and conveying the peanuts but that additional work is necessary relative to sampling and geo-referencing data acquisition.