Elements of Farm Power and Machinery

by S K Gupta

ISBN: 9789371702997
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Imprint : Daya Publishing House
Year : 2026
Price : Rs. 21490.00
Biblio : xiv+538

Author Profile

Dr. S K Gupta, Born (1949), INAE Distinguished Visiting Professor, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, is an Engineer with specialization in Soil and Water Resources Engineering and Civil Engineering. He obtained B. Tech (Agril. Engg.) from the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, in 1970 and Master of Agricultural Engineering from the same University in 1976. He obtained Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the Jawahar Lal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India in 1984. Since his joining CSSRI in 1971, besides holding scientific positions, he has been Head, Division of Drainage and Water Management, Head, Indo-Dutch Network Project, Head, Division of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering and Project Coordinator (AICRP on Management of Salt Affected Soils and Use of Saline Water in Agriculture). After superannuation, Dr. Gupta worked as Emeritus Scientist (ICAR) and INAE Distinguished Professor at the same institute. Currently, he is professor of Agricultural Engineering (Guest Faculty) at Khalsa College, Amritsar. Dr. Gupta has been engaged in conducting researches in surface and subsurface drainage for land reclamation, irrigation water management, hydrology of salt affected soils, leaching and use of saline water in agriculture. He has been teaching at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, Karnal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Karnal and Khalsa College, Amritsar. Dr. Gupta is Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Indian National Academy of Engineering and Indian Society of Agricultural Engineering. He has published more than 150 research papers in high impact factor journals and published 15 books. Besides teaching on-line, he is pursuing his own interests in research and writing books. Dr. Gupta has been consultant to WAPCOS-Louis Berger, MoWR, MoRD, UP-Dutch Tube Well Project, ActionAid International, Synergics Hydro India-Oromia Water Works Enterprise, Ethiopia and others. He has been bestowed with Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award by ICAR. Besides he is recipient of several other awards from NAAS, ISAE, IE (India), CBIP and MoWR among other organizations. He is the Chief Editor of Journal of Water Management of the Indian Society of Water Management.

About The Book

Farm mechanization has played a vital role in increasing production, productivity and profitability of farm enterprise. It is mainly attributed to timeliness in farm operations and reduction in application of various inputs through their precise metering, application and higher use efficiencies. Being one of the most important elements of modern agriculture, farm power and machinery has become an essential subject in the course curricula of most disciplines in agriculture. Currently, it is being taught to the U.G. students of agriculture, horticulture, forestry and agricultural engineering. The focus of the book is on commonly used power sources and farm machines used on agricultural farms. The contents covered are as per the Dean's Committee recommendations for agriculture, horticulture, forestry and agricultural engineering students. The book has been divided into seventeen chapters namely: Introduction to farm power and basic machines, Internal combustion engines, Tractor systems, Farm tractors and power tillers, Introduction to electric motors, Farm mechanization, Primary tillage and related equipment, Secondary tillage and related equipment, Field capacity power requirement and costing, Machinery for land leveling and land forming, Sowing and planting equipment, Irrigation pumps, Plant protection equipment, Harvesting and threshing equipment, Garden tools, Tools and machines for forestry and Miscellaneous equipment. The book is written in simple and easy to understand English. The book is highly illustrated. Both theory and objective type questions have been included for the benefit of the students. The author believes that the book should prove to be a valuable textbook in various agricultural universities and affiliated agricultural colleges. It can prove to be a valuable academic asset for students, staff and libraries of colleges and universities worldwide.

Table of Contents

Preface v 1. Introduction to Farm Power 1 Force, Work, Power, Horsepower, Energy, Conversion Factors, Sources of Power, Mobile Power, Stationary Power, Human Power, Animal Power, Mechanical Power, Electrical Power, Renewable Sources of Power, Farm Power in India and Punjab, Basic Machines, The Lever, The Pulley System, The Wheel and Axle, The Inclined Plane, The Wedge, The Screw and Gears, Questions (Theory) 2. Internal Combustion Engines 23 Heat Engine, External combustion (EC) Engine, Internal Combustion (IC) Engine, Classification of IC Engines, Based on Working Cycle, Based on Cycle of Combustion, Based on Method of Ignition, IC Engine Components, Terminology of IC Engines and Tractor, Important Conversions, Construction and Working of an IC Engine, Four Stroke Cycle Engine (Petrol/Diesel Engine), Petrol Engine, Diesel Engine, Indicator Diagram, Otto Cycle, Diesel Cycle, Two Stroke Petrol and Diesel Engines, Upward Stroke of the Piston (Suction + Compression), Downward Stroke (Power + Exhaust), Indicator Diagrams -2 Stroke Engines, Petrol Engine, Diesel Engine, Questions (Theory) 3. Tractor Systems 47 Air Supply System, Dry Air Cleaner, Oil Wetted Mesh Cleaner, Oil Bath Air Cleaners, Fuel Supply System, Quality of Fuel, Spark Ignition Engine, Diesel Engine, Turbocharger, Exhaust System, Lubricating System, Types of Lubricants, Types of Lubricating Systems, Parts of Lubrication System, Troubles x in Lubrication System, Care and Maintenance of Lubrication System, Cooling System, Air Cooling System, Water Cooling System, Methods of Water Cooling, Components of a Forced Water Cooling System, Coolants and Antifreeze Mixture, Power Transmission System, Clutch, Construction and Operation of a Friction Clutch, Gearbox, Components of Gearbox, Kinds of Gearboxes, Differential, Differential Lock, Final Drive, PTO Shaft, Hydraulic Control System, Implement Control, Position Control, Draft Control, Mixed Position and Draft Control, Maintenance and Repair of Hydraulic System, Ignition Systems, Components of Battery Ignition System, Working of the System, Magneto Ignition System, Electronic Ignition System, Compression Ignition System, Firing Order, Steering Mechanism, Mechanical Steering, Hydraulic/Electronic Power Steering (EPS), Governors, Methods of Governing, Kinds of Governors, Governor Hunting, Governor Regulation, Brake System, Categorization of Brakes, Braking Efficiency, Tractor Hitching Systems, Questions (Theory) 4. Farm Tractors and Power Tillers 113 History of Tractor Development, Classification of Tractors, Characteristics of a Good Tractor, Selection of Tractor, Tractor Components, Important Dimensions and Terms, Hitching Systems of Implements, Power Outlets, Power Take-off Unit (PTO), A Hook and a Drawbar, Three Point Linkage, Belt Pulley, Safety Precautions for Handling and Driving Tractors, Precautions while Starting the Tractor, Precaution during Operation at the Farm, Precautions during Operation on the Road, Crawler Tractor, Power Tiller, Components of Power Tiller, Power Transmission, Operation, Power Transmission from Power Source to Machines, Belts, Chains, Gears, Cost of Tractor Power, Ownership Cost, Operational Cost, Questions (Theory) 5. Introduction to Electric Motors 143 Classification/Types of Motors, Basic Principle of Motors, DC Motors, Motor Starter, AC Motors, Split-phase Motor, Capacitor Motor, Three-phase Induction Motor, Submersible Motors, AC Motor Starters, Types of Motor Starters, Selection of Electric Motors, Care of Electric Motors, How to Clean a Motor?, Safety of the Motors, Fuse, MCB, MCCB, Relay, Questions (Theory) 6. Farm Mechanization 161 Mechanization Defined, Need of Farm Mechanization, Brief History and Current Status, Benefits of Farm Mechanization, Ill-effects of Farm Mechanization, Constraints in Farm Mechanization, Small and Marginal Farmers and Farm Mechanization, Government Initiatives on Farm Mechanization, Policy Framework, Questions (Theory) 7. Primary Tillage and Related Equipment 175 Tillage Defined, Objectives of Tillage, Tools/Implement/Machine, Tillage Classification, Preparatory Tillage, Primary Tillage, Secondary Tillage, Kinds xi of Tillage Operations, Conservation Tillage, Ploughing, Methods of Ploughing a Land, Headland Pattern, Ploughs, Country or indigenous Plough, Animal Drawn Mould-Board Plough, Tractor Operated MB Plough, Kinds of MB Plough Bottoms, Components, Plough Accessories, Materials of Construction, Adjustments of Mould-Board Plough, Terms Used in Ploughing, Disc Plough, Commonly Used Terms, Types of Disc Plough, Plough Adjustments, Trouble Shooting, Special Ploughs, Rotavator, Reversible MB Plough, Ridge Plough, Chisel and Sub-soil Ploughs, Basin Lister, Questions (Theory) 8. Secondary Tillage and Related Equipment 209 Harrows, Disc Harrow, Components, Adjustments to Increase Penetration, Care and Maintenance of Disc Harrow, Other Kinds of Harrows, Power Harrow- Tractor Drawn, cultivators, Sweeps/Shovels and Shanks, Animal Drawn Cultivators, Tractor Drawn Cultivators, Rotary Tiller or Rotavator, Hoes, Puddlers, Secondary Tillage Implements for Rice Cultivation, Cage Wheels, Paddy Weeder, Land Rollers or Pulverizers, Cage Roller (Clod Crusher), Tractor drawn Spiked Clod Crusher, Improved Bakhar, V-shaped Roller Pulverizer, Clod Breaker, Sheep Foot Roller, Soil Packer, Good Agricultural Practice in Tillage, Questions (Theory) 9. Field Capacity Power Requirement and Costing 235 Field Capacity, Theoretical Field Capacity, Actual/Effective Field Capacity, Field Efficiency, Material Capacity, Power Required, Estimation of Drawbar Power, PTO Power, Hydraulic Power, Wheel Slip, Selection of Tractor Power, Cost of Farm Machinery, Cost of Tractor and Machine, Tractor and Implement Selection, Selection of Farm Machinery, Ownership of Farm Machinery, Points to be Considered while Making Actual Purchase, Questions (Theory) 10. Machinery for Land Leveling and Land Forming 251 Land Leveling, Benefits of Land Leveling, Phases of Land Leveling Operation, Machinery for Land Leveling, Bulldozer/Dozer for Land Clearing, Methods of Land Leveling, Manual Leveling, Animal or Mechanical Power, Animal drawn Soil Scoop, Animal drawn Leveling Board, Patella Harrow, Animal drawn Buck Scraper, Tractor Drawn Implements, Tractor Mounted Dozer, Tractor Drawn Leveler, Tractor Drawn Land Plane, Box and Grading Scrapers, Laser Land Leveling, Laser Land Leveling Equipment, Steps in Land Leveling Program, Benefits and Limitations of Laser Land Leveling, Land Forming Equipment, Bund Former, Ridger, Irrigation Channel Former, Tractor Drawn Ditcher, Questions (Theory) 11. Sowing and Planting Equipment 267 Methods of Sowing, Broadcasting, Dibbling, Drilling, Transplanting, Limitations of Traditional Methods, Seed Drill, Classification of Seed Drills, Components of Seed Drill, Seed Metering Mechanisms, Fertilizer Metering Systems, Furrow xii Openers and their Types, Coulters and Covering Devices, Sowing Implements, The Seed-cum-fertilizer Drill, Tractor Mounted Ridger Seeder, Zero Till Drill, Turbo Happy Seeder, Pneumatic Multi-crop Drill/Planter, Calibration of Seed Drill, Farm Shed Calibration Procedure, Calibration in the Field, Rice Transplanting, Walk Behind/Manual Rice Planter, Engine Operated Paddy Transplanter, Preparation of Mat-type Nursery, Preparation of Field for Transplanting, Direct Seeded Rice, Tractor Mounted Direct Rice Seeder, Planter, Tractor Mounted Modular Planter, Bed Planter, Tractor Mounted Ridge Planter for Winter Maize, Potato Planter, General Precautions during Sowing, Questions (Theory) 12. Irrigation Pumps 297 What Is a Pump?, Classification of Pumps, Working Principle of Centrifugal Pumps, Kinds of Pumps, Based on Flow Direction in the Pump, Casing Design or Energy Conversion, Type of Impeller, Components of a Pump, Rotating Parts, Stationary Components, Pump Performance or Characteristic Curves, Pump Selection Criteria, Installation of the Pump, Operation, Cost of Pumping, Power Required and Energy Consumption, Trouble Shooting, Turbine Pump, Pump Bowl Assembly, Column Pipe Assembly, Line Shafting, Surface Discharge Head, Driver, Submersible Pumps, Solar Water Pumping System, Advantages of Solar-Powered Irrigation, Disadvantages, Questions (Theory) 13. Plant Protection Equipment 327 Sprayers/Dusters, Kinds of Sprayers/Dusters, sprayers, Basic Components of a Sprayer, Components of a Nozzle, Sprayer Types, Manually Operated Sprayers, Power Sprayers, Air-craft Spraying, Types of Nozzles, Types based on Construction, Types based on Shape of the Spray, Droplet size, Calibration of Sprayer, Precautions in Spraying, Before the Operation, During Dilution, During the Operation, After the Operation, Duster, Types of Dusters, Manually Operated Dusters, Power Operated Dusters, Precautions and Maintenance, Selection of Appliances, Important Formulae and Calculations, Amount of Insecticide Needed for Spraying, Questions (Theory) 14. Harvesting and Threshing Equipment 361 Harvesting Defined, Classification of Harvesting Equipment, Traditional Harvesting Methods, Sickle, Scythe, Dao, Mowers and Reapers, Mowers, Conventional Mower/Reaper, Problems and Adjustments, Vertical Conveyor Reapers, Reaper-cum- Binder, Root Crops Harvesters, Potato Digger, Groundnut Digger, Tractor Operated Turmeric Harvester, Tapioca Puller, Threshing, Traditional Threshing Methods, Olpad Thresher, Hand Operated Drum Thresher, A Word on Manual Winnowing, Limitations of Traditional Methods, Mechanical Threshers, Parts of a Thresher, Principle and Working, Factors Affecting Threshing Performance, Precautions during Operation of a Thresher, Manually Operated Drum Thresher, Maize Dehusker-cum-Sheller, Combine Harvester, xiii Header and Gathering Unit, Cutting and Feeding Unit, Threshing Drum and Concave Unit, Separating Unit/Cleaning Unit, Handling Unit, Requirements for Efficient Harvesting, Safety associated with Combine Harvesters, Stubble Management for Combine Harvester, Super Straw Management System (SSMS), Straw Balers, Questions (Theory) 15. Garden Tools 393 General Purpose Tools, Spade, Khurpa, Crow Bar, Shovel, Trowel, Axe, Garden Line, Wheelbarrow, Watering Can, Garden Hose, Tools for Specialized Tasks, Garden Hoe, Hedge Shear, Grass Shear, Dibber, Garden Sword, Pruning and Lopping Tools, Pruning or Slashing Knife, Pruners, Clippers or Secateurs, Loppers, Pruning Saw or Hand Saw, Power Driven Chainsaw, Pole Pruner, Hedge Cutters, The Flower Scissors, Draining and Tapping Knife, Grafting and Budding Tools, Benefits of Grafting and Budding, Grafting Tool, Budding-cum- Grafting Knife, Grafting Wax, Tape and Budding Rubbers, Other Equipment and Accessories, Sprayers, Lawn Mower, Auger Bore Diggers, Precautions in Use of Garden Tools, Care and Maintenance of Garden Tools, Fruit Harvesters, Contact Machines, Mechanical Harvesting of Fruits, Questions (Theory) 16. Tools and Machines for Forestry 413 Power Sources in Forestry, Hydraulic (Water) Power, Animal Power, Mechanical Power, Operations, Hand Tools and Ancillary Equipment, Axes, Hooks, Hand Sappie or Nursery Kutla, Debarking Spud, Tree Felling Lever, Tongs, Pickaroon, Stalk Puller, Measuring Stick, Stem Tightener, Saws, Hand Saws, Power Saws, Self-Propelled Forest Harvester, Extraction, Skidding, Skidding Attachments, Grapple Skidders, Forwarders, Loaders and Trailers, Wire Crane Loader, Grapple Loader, Forestry Trailers, Chippers, Disc Chipper, Drum Chipper, Stump Grinders, Other Machines, Questions (Theory) 17. Miscellaneous Equipment 433 Chaff Cutter, Hand Operated Chaff Cutter, Hoists, Tractor Mounted Telescopic Hoist, Green Manure Trampler, Manure Spreader, Drainage Ditchers or Trenchers, Tree Planting, Tractor Operated Post Hole Auger Digger, Engine Operated Post Hole Auger Digger, Trailers, Mechanization in Sugarcane Cultivation, Two Row Pit Digger, Power Operated Sugarcane Sett Cutting Machine, Manual Bud-chipping Machine, Animal drawn Sugarcane Planter, Tractor Operated Sugarcane Planter, Tractor drawn Sugarcane Cutter Planter, Animal drawn Earthing-up Hoe, Harvesting Equipment, Soldier-type Cane Harvester, Sugarcane Detrasher, Heera Sugarcane Harvester, Tractor Operated Sugarcane Trash Shredder, Harvester Combine, Ratoon Management Device, Questions (Theory) xiv Annexure I 451 Annexure II 461 Glossary of Terms 465 Objective Type Questions and Answers 487 References 525 Index