Journal of Engineering Research and Reports

Aims: the aim of the study was to design a relatively low-cost power tiller with an irrigation system to ease the laborious nature of the conventional method of ploughing and irrigation.

Study Design: the power tiller incorporated with spray gun for irrigation was designed using several key steps. The design process typically included defining the requirements, conceptualising the design, detailing the design, prototyping, testing, and refining the final product. the system was simulated using Autodesk inventor 2023, for Von Mises Stress (MPa) and Minimum Safety Factor (ul).

Place and Duration of Study: University for Development Studies, for the period of three months.

Methodology: A relatively low-cost power tiller with an irrigation system was designed and simulated using AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor. Finite Element Analysis was done to determine the stresses on the frame with total weight acting on the frame (450 N) was applied as a distributed load. The engine weight (305N) was applied to the seats as distributed load. The force applied at the end of the plough was 2525 N. The control bars were considered a cantilever beam, and load of 157.5 N was applied on the two ends of the handle. The total vertical load acting on the shaft (550 N), was applied, and a torsional load of 8090 N due to the driving force from the engine, was also applied. The values of the Von Mises Stress for all the components were below the yield strength of the material used. The safety factor was above one, indicating that the components can function without failures.

Results: The simulation results showed that the values of the Von Mises Stress for all the components were below the yield strength of the material used (Frame-17.3815, Front Engine Seat-1.67239, Back Engine Back seat-13.656, Mouldboard Plough-220.727, Control Bars- 0.0909601 and Driving Wheel Shaft-74.8531). The safety factors of the components were all above one, indicating that the components can function without failures (Frame-3, Front Engine Seat-3, Back Engine Back seat-3, Mouldboard Plough-1.2 Control Bars-3 and Driving Wheel Shaft-2.7). This implies that the system can integrate the tilling activities and functions of irrigation.

Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that the Von Mises Stress and factor of safety were desirable, therefore they if deployed physical can help to reduce the labour intensiveness of tilling and irrigation in Ghana. The implementation of the system will further reduce cost of farming, thereby increasing food security in the country.