Concept Design of a Portable Carrot Seeder
Marvin T. Valentin *
Benguet State University, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
Alex Smeets
Cambridge Innovation Solutions, United Kingdom and Oxford Innovation Ltd, United Kingdom.
Daniel E. Ciolkosz
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Algirdas Jasinskas
Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania.
Milagros B. Onalan
Benguet State University, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
Alvin C. Dulay
Benguet State University, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
Leonardo D. Dumalhin
Benguet State University, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
Constantino T. Sudaypan Sr.
Benguet State University, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
Stanley F. Anongos Jr.
Benguet State University, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
Cheryll C. Launio
Benguet State University, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
Marlon N. Galad
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Roger Lee M. Suclad
Benguet State University, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
Keithler M. Pagnas
Benguet State University, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A concept design of a carrot seeder, filed for patent application, was successfully developed in this study. Farmers were visited and interviewed and the data regarding their existing practices in planting carrots, corresponding tools and equipment and planting requirements such as hill spacing, row spacing and plant bed size were gathered. These data were used as input in the preparation and simulation of the seeder design with the aid of Solidworks software.
The seeder consisted of seed metering assembly, frame, ground wheels, skid, handle, power transmission, furrow opener and seed covering mechanism. It has 5 metering discs and the spacing between rows is adjustable. The metering disc is provided with grooves on its periphery of size that can accommodate 2 to 5 carrot seeds. Draft force to push the device in usage is 10 kg-force. The designed overall weight is 12 kg.
Keywords: Carrot seeder, plant bed, hill spacing, row spacing, grooves, convenient