JOURNAL of the JAPANESE SOCIETY of AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY

The objective of this research was to develop a model of analysis for predicting the phenomenon of soil throw and the required power in rotary tilling. In this study, the method for modeling of the dynamics between soil and a rotary tilling blade based on the discrete element method (DEM), as well as the identification method of DEM simulation parameters, was examined. In order to verify the accuracy of the model, soil thrown by the rotary blade was observed using a hig-speed camera system, and the required torque of the rotary axle was measured. The results showed that this model was able to predict the area of soil throw and the location of the center-of-gravity within the range of 92∼104 %, and predict the required torque within 83∼110 %.

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In this paper, we develop a commercial far-infrared (FIR) dryer that has been modified from a recirculating batch dryer currently available on the Japanese market. We investigated the performance of FIR dryers using paddy and wheat and checked the quality of dried grain. We also measured the sound pressure-level generated while drying. The FIR dryer enabled reducing kerosene consumption by 10 % (rice) , 8 % (wheat)　and electricity consumption by 40 % (rice) , 24 % (wheat) compared with the same capacity recirculating batch dryer. The kerosene was burned in the FIR radiation body, and we could reduce the air flow rate, so combustion noise was low. The germination rate of rice dried by the FIR did not decrease. The increase in cracking rate of rice was 2 % or less. Furthermore, also at the drying rate more than 1.0 %w.b./h, the increase in cracking rate was few. Rice dried by FIR had greater viscosity, and palatability was good. We also confirmed that commercialized FIR dryers were economical and energy-saving on farms in Japan.

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We studied methods of evaluating tractor gas exhaust while engaged in rotary tillage, a common agricultural task in Japan. In this report, to investigate the accuracy of our model for exhaust gas emissions during rotary tillage in the field, we applied loads to the PTO shaft of a tractor using a dynamometer. Our results suggest that this technique accurately models exhaust gas emissions, which are closely related to engine torque during rotary tillage in the field.

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