Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 4. Assistant Professor, Department of Biosystem Engineering, College of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz.
2 3. Associate Professor, Department of Biosystem Engineering, College of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to design, Constructand evaluate an electronic system for control of the forward speed control in 7000 series sugarcane harvesters. The conventional method of control for the forward speed of sugarcane harvester in 7000 series is mechanical. The new electronic control system was developed to replace the traditional mechanical control system. MotorStepper, drivers, micro-controller, joystick and potentiometer were used to program microcontrollers as well as C programming in code-vision. The new control system was evaluated during two series of tests. To determine the strength of the maneuverability of the harvesting machine, the first test was conducted using a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design. The maneuverability was compared for mechanical and electronic control systems under different engine rpm. The location error at stoppage time in respect to the baseline was measured as basis for maneuverability. In the second test the response time was compared with a completely randomized design in two systems. The statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the control systems in 1% probability level. The maneuverability of harvester equipped with electronic control system increased significantly and it was not affected by the changes in engine rpm (forward speed). In the second test the statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the control systems in 5% probability level. Electronic forward speed control system resulted in reaction speed, and device maneuverability, ease of maintenance and use, a reduction in mechanical parts usage and finally the proper functioning of the system.
Keywords
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