Development of an automatic tracking system to determine field efficiency of agricultural machines

Tamrai, Natussapol; Masarn, Boripun; Kaewkabthong, Apidul; Lapcharoensuk, Ravipat; Sangchan, Songvoot; Udompetaikul, Vasu

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201819203059

Development of an automatic tracking system to determine field efficiency of agricultural machines

Author(s)

Tamrai, Natussapol

Masarn, Boripun

Kaewkabthong, Apidul

Lapcharoensuk, Ravipat

Sangchan, Songvoot

Udompetaikul, Vasu

Date Issued

August 14, 2018

Type

Conference Paper

DOI

10.1051/matecconf/201819203059

Abstract

Field efficiency of machines tells how efficient the farm machines are operating in the field. Measuring of the field efficiency used to be a tedious and laborious work which is not worth to collect for further operational optimization. The objective of this study was to develop an automatic system for monitoring the field activities and then evaluation of the field efficiency of farm machines. The system consisted of a microcontroller to collect working data including position, speed heading, and working status of the machine. The system was installed on a farm tractor with plowing disc to test on two fields with the same size, but in different traveling directions, i.e., lengthwise and crosswise. The results showed lengthwise operation yielded a higher field efficiency due to less number of turning at headlands. The proposed system allowed to collect necessary information for detailed efficiency evaluation of farm machines. This technique enables further utilization of the operational information and benefit to use in the optimization of the farm works.

Citation

Matec Web of Conferences, 192, 2018