Optimization of Geometrical Parameters of Weeding Tool in Soilbin using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract:

An experiment was conducted to observe the effects of geometric parameters of V-shaped weeding tool on the performance of draft, uprooting width, burial width and draft efficiency. The geometric parameters were optimized based on performance parameters using response surface methodology with CCRD design. The geometric parameters viz. apex angle, rake angle, and lift angle were varied from 90° to 140°, 15° to 35° and 0° to 15°, respectively at 5 levels. The experiments were conducted in a soil bin with an instrumentation system, the draft was measured using an octagonal ring transducer and other parameters were recorded manually. All the geometric parameters and their interaction had a significant effect on selected performance parameters. The optimum values of tool geometry were found to be apex angle of 114.95°, rake angle of 30.37° and lift angle of 9.99°, and their corresponding predicted performance parameters were draft of 186.62, uprooting width of 322.67 mm, burial width of 368.33 and draft efficiency of 0.71 with a desirability level of 0.84.