Prototype of Radio-Controlled Mowing Machine for Aquatic Plants in Irrigation Canals

— Survey of navigation performance and aquatic plant mowing —

Abstract

A prototype of a radio-controlled mowing machine is developed for aquatic plants in irrigation canals by combining commercially available equipment and parts. An engine-driven brush cutter having an attachment with two disc-shaped cutting blades is utilized as the cutting device of the mowing machine. The hull of the mowing machine is a frame made of floats and aluminum pipes. The mowing machine could move forward / backward and turn right / left by the two outer wheels attached to the left and right sides of the hull. The wheels are driven by gear motors and independently operated by radio control. The purchase cost of the primary equipment and materials for the mowing machine was less than 180,000 yen. The total weight of the mowing machine was about 20 kg. The mowing machine went straight at about 0.36 m/s by rotating the two wheels forward and turn with a radius of about 0.74 m and an angular velocity of about 0.28 rad/s by reversing the two wheels in a still water state. The mowing machine could mow a plant community consisting mainly of Elodea nuttallii in an irrigation channel by radio control.