Master of Science / Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering / Ajay Sharda / Moisture measurement is critical when baling alfalfa into round bales for feed. If alfalfa is too wet or too dry, it can greatly diminish the alfalfa crop’s feed quality and cause economic loss to producers. Therefore, monitoring of alfalfa moisture content while baling is critical for producers to maintain hay quality and maximize profits. Currently, there are several different types of moisture sensing technologies available for round balers. But, concerns exist regarding their accuracy and repeatability during hay baling. Therefore, objectives of this project are to 1) Establish a protocol for coring methodology to assess the variation of moisture within a round alfalfa hay bale, and 2) Compare and contrast sensing accuracy and repeatability of different hay moisture sensing technologies. A coring methodology was established to determine the average moisture within a round bale based upon the way a sensor in a round baler chamber would determine the bale moisture; by looking at the moisture contents along the round bale diameter. This method was then compared with the more traditional method of using radial cores only to determine the whole bale moisture content. A sensor testing stand was developed to perform comparative testing between the sensors on the same alfalfa hay bale and collect core samples of material immediately after it was formed. Six commercially available moisture sensors were selected to measure moisture at four pre-determined locations on hay bales. After the sensor measurements, core samples were extracted from the exact same locations to determine actual moisture using oven-drying method. The moisture measurements were conducted during three growth stages and bales were formed with three approximate moisture contents of 10%, 15% and 20%. Six different cuts of alfalfa of the same variety were used to capture all the measurements. A seventh cut was also performed for moisture measurements with the alfalfa baled at 15% and the same growth stage, but different baler compression cylinder pressures (250, 400, and 800psi). Actual moisture content was across different sampling locations were compared to understand moisture distribution and establish coring protocol. Sensor and oven-dried measurements were compared to determine accuracy and repeatability of sensing technologies. Results showed that sensors and oven-dried measurement varied for all the sensors for every growth stage and baling moisture levels, with one sensor exhibiting lowest variability in its readings. The comparison identified the most accurate and reliable sensor among the ones currently available. A second year of testing was also conducted to validate the research from the first year of testing. Future research needs to be conducted to identify correlation between the testing stand readings and actual hay baler moisture sensor readings.

The large amount of used polypropylene baler twine generated from the agricultural community may provide a low-cost, environmentally friendly source of fibre reinforcement that can be used to improve the properties of concrete. However, the performance of such fibres for the application has not yet been explored. The effectiveness of using small amounts of chopped baler twine to control the restrained plastic shrinkage cracking of portland cement mortar was investigated in this study. To determine the influence of baler twine fibre type, length and volume fraction on their performance, two types of baler twine ( one composed of strands with circular cross section, the other composed of flat band shape strands) in two lengths (19 mm and 38 mm) and three volume fractions (0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.3%) were evaluated. To compare the performance of baler twine fibre with that of other commercially available synthetic fibres, fibrillated polypropylene fibres at equal lengths and volume fractions was investigated.<p>The restrained plastic shrinkage tests were carried out by subjecting the fibre-reinforced mortar specimens, cast on rough substrate bases, to a wind speed of 2.6 m/s, and relative humidity less than 3% at 35 °C for 22 hours. To evaluate the effectiveness of the fibres, the crack numbers were recorded, and the maximum crack width and total crack area on the surface of each specimen were measured using an image analysis technique. Unrestrained plastic shrinkage tests were also conducted in which fibre-reinforced mortar specimens without the substrate bases were tested under the same environmental conditions.<p>Test results indicate that both types of baler twine are capable of controlling restrained plastic shrinkage cracking to some extent, but are not as effective as fibrillated polypropylene. The baler twine composed of band shape strands performed better than the one composed of strands with circular cross section. Compared with plain specimens, the total crack area was reduced by 95.3, 77.5 and 38.7% when 0.3% volume fraction of 38 mm fibrillated polypropylene, band shape baler twine and circular baler twine fibres, respectively, were added. Similar reductions in maximum crack width were observed. Fibre length did not significantly influence cracking behaviour. Free plastic shrinkage was significantly reduced only when long fibre lengths (38 mm) and high volume fractions (0.3%) were used.

This study investigated the crop density in a New Holland BB960 (branch of CNH Global N.V.) large square baler as examined by crop trajectory from the precompression room to the bale chamber. This study also examined both the top and bottom plunger pressures and critical factors affecting the final top and bottom bale densities.<p>The crop trajectories (wad of crop) were measured using a high-speed camera from the side of the baler through viewing windows. The viewing windows were divided into four regions for determining the crop displacement, velocity and acceleration. Crop strain was used to evaluate the potential change in density of the crop before being compressed by the plunger. Generally, the vertical crop strain was found to be higher in the top half of the bale compared to the bottom. <p>Average strain values for side measurements were 12.8% for the top and 2.1% for the bottom. Plunger pressures were measured to compare peak pressures between the top and bottom halves of each compressed wad of crop, and to develop pressure profiles based on the plungers position. Results of comparing the mean peak plunger pressures between the top and bottom locations indicated the mean pressures were significantly higher at the top location with the exception of one particular setting. Resulting pressure profile graphs aided in qualitatively describing the compression process for both top and bottom locations.<p>A stepwise regression model was developed to examine the difference in material quantity in the top half of the bale compared to the bottom, based on bale weights. The model indicated that flake setting, stuffer ratio and number of flakes had the greatest effect on maintaining consistent bale density by comparing top to bottom halves of each bale. The R2 (coefficient of determination) value for the developed model was of 59.9%. The R2 was low although could be accounted for due to the limited number of data points in the developed model.

The large amount of used polypropylene baler twine generated from the agricultural community may provide a low-cost, environmentally friendly source of fibre reinforcement that can be used to improve the properties of concrete. However, the performance of such fibres for the application has not yet been explored. The effectiveness of using small amounts of chopped baler twine to control the restrained plastic shrinkage cracking of portland cement mortar was investigated in this study. To determine the influence of baler twine fibre type, length and volume fraction on their performance, two types of baler twine ( one composed of strands with circular cross section, the other composed of flat band shape strands) in two lengths (19 mm and 38 mm) and three volume fractions (0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.3%) were evaluated. To compare the performance of baler twine fibre with that of other commercially available synthetic fibres, fibrillated polypropylene fibres at equal lengths and volume fractions was investigated.<p>The restrained plastic shrinkage tests were carried out by subjecting the fibre-reinforced mortar specimens, cast on rough substrate bases, to a wind speed of 2.6 m/s, and relative humidity less than 3% at 35 °C for 22 hours. To evaluate the effectiveness of the fibres, the crack numbers were recorded, and the maximum crack width and total crack area on the surface of each specimen were measured using an image analysis technique. Unrestrained plastic shrinkage tests were also conducted in which fibre-reinforced mortar specimens without the substrate bases were tested under the same environmental conditions.<p>Test results indicate that both types of baler twine are capable of controlling restrained plastic shrinkage cracking to some extent, but are not as effective as fibrillated polypropylene. The baler twine composed of band shape strands performed better than the one composed of strands with circular cross section. Compared with plain specimens, the total crack area was reduced by 95.3, 77.5 and 38.7% when 0.3% volume fraction of 38 mm fibrillated polypropylene, band shape baler twine and circular baler twine fibres, respectively, were added. Similar reductions in maximum crack width were observed. Fibre length did not significantly influence cracking behaviour. Free plastic shrinkage was significantly reduced only when long fibre lengths (38 mm) and high volume fractions (0.3%) were used.

This study investigated the crop density in a New Holland BB960 (branch of CNH Global N.V.) large square baler as examined by crop trajectory from the precompression room to the bale chamber. This study also examined both the top and bottom plunger pressures and critical factors affecting the final top and bottom bale densities.<p>The crop trajectories (wad of crop) were measured using a high-speed camera from the side of the baler through viewing windows. The viewing windows were divided into four regions for determining the crop displacement, velocity and acceleration. Crop strain was used to evaluate the potential change in density of the crop before being compressed by the plunger. Generally, the vertical crop strain was found to be higher in the top half of the bale compared to the bottom. <p>Average strain values for side measurements were 12.8% for the top and 2.1% for the bottom. Plunger pressures were measured to compare peak pressures between the top and bottom halves of each compressed wad of crop, and to develop pressure profiles based on the plungers position. Results of comparing the mean peak plunger pressures between the top and bottom locations indicated the mean pressures were significantly higher at the top location with the exception of one particular setting. Resulting pressure profile graphs aided in qualitatively describing the compression process for both top and bottom locations.<p>A stepwise regression model was developed to examine the difference in material quantity in the top half of the bale compared to the bottom, based on bale weights. The model indicated that flake setting, stuffer ratio and number of flakes had the greatest effect on maintaining consistent bale density by comparing top to bottom halves of each bale. The R2 (coefficient of determination) value for the developed model was of 59.9%. The R2 was low although could be accounted for due to the limited number of data points in the developed model.

In the United States, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandates the annual production of 136 billion liters of renewable fuel in the US by 2022 (US Congress, 2007). As the nation moves towards energy independence, it is critical to address the current challenges associated with large-scale biofuel production. The biomass logistics network considered consists of three core operations: farmgate operations, highway-hauling operations, and receiving facility operations. To date, decision-making has been limited in post-production management (harvesting, in-field hauling, and storage) in farmgate operations. In this thesis, we study the impacts in the logistics network resulting from the selection of one of four harvest scenarios. A simulation model was developed, which simulated the harvest and filling of a Satellite Storage Location (SSL), using conventional hay harvest equipment, specifically, a round baler. The model evaluated the impacts of four harvest scenarios (ranging from short, October-December, to extended, July-March), on baler equipment requirements, baler utilization, and the storage capacity requirements of round bales, across a harvest production region. The production region selected for this study encompassed a 32-km radius surrounding a hypothetical bio-crude plant in Gretna, VA, and considered 141 optimally selected SSLs. The production region was divided into 6 sub-regions (i.e. tours). The total production region consisted of 15,438 ha and 682 fields. The fields ranged in size from 6 to 156 ha. Of the four scenarios examined in the analysis, each displayed similar trends across the six tours. Variations in the baler requirements that were observed among the tours resulted from variability in field size distribution, field to baler allocations, and total production area. The available work hours were found to have a significant impact on the resource requirements to fulfill harvest operations and resource requirements were greatly reduced when harvest operations were extended throughout the 9-month harvest season. Beginning harvest in July and extending harvest through March resulted in reductions in round balers ranging from 50-63%, as compared to the short harvest scenario, on a sub-regional basis. On a regional basis, beginning harvest in July and extending harvest through March resulted in baler reductions up to 58.2%, as compared to the short harvest scenario. For a 9-month harvest, harvesting approximately 50% of total switchgrass harvest in July-September, as compared to harvesting approximately 50% in October-December, resulted in reductions in round balers ranging from 33.3- 43.5%. An extended (9-month) harvest resulted in the lowest annual baler requirements, and on average lower baler utilization rates. The reduced harvest scenarios, when compared to the extended harvest scenarios, resulted in a significant increase in the number of annual balers required for harvest operations. However, among the reduced harvest scenarios (i.e. Scenario 3 and 4), the number of annual balers required for harvest operations showed significantly less variation than between the extended harvest scenarios (i.e. Scenarios 1 and 2). As a result, an increased utilization of the balers in the system, short harvest scenarios resulted in the highest average baler utilization rates. Storage capacity requirements were however found to be greater for short harvest scenarios. For the reduced harvest scenario, employing an October-December harvest window, approximately 50% of harvest was completed by the end of October, and 100% of total harvest was completed by the third month of harvest (i.e. December). / Master of Science

This Diploma Theses focuses on the assessment of two pick-up balers which compress crop into compact bales. The balers are made and delivered by different manufacturers with a variable bale chamber and cutting mode at the moment of haylage, hay and straw harvesting. Specifically, the given assessment compared John Deere 960 Baler and Kuhn VB 2160 Baler while considering the following parameters: quality of cutting, bale density, haylage, capacity and performance, economic analysis and recommendation for their use in agriculture. John Deere 960 Baler achieved better results in the majority of performed tests. The values of bale density were the following: 666.25 kg.m-3 (haylage), 221.39 kg.m-3 (hay), 176.62 kg.m-3 (straw). The assessment of haylage quality was excellent. The given baler (JD 960) also excelled at harvesting capacities: 20.89 t.h-1 (haylage), 15.61 t.h-1 (hay) and 12.54 t.h-1 (straw). Baling costs per 1 kilogram of forage revealed the following figures: 0.036 CZK (haylage), 0.079 CZK (hay) and 0.101 CZK (straw). Costs assessment for practical use of both balers per operating year indicates that the JD 960 Baler´s use is more cost effective by 1,320 CZK per 100 hectares (haylage), by 2,690 CZK (hay) and by 6,000 CZK (straw) in comparison with Kuhn VB 2160 Baler. As a consequence, the use and operation of John Deere 960 Baler can be recommended to large-sized companies with a sufficient amount of financial resources which can be invested in purchase of the given machinery. The baler is suitable for large areas with the demanding seasonal harvesting. On the other hand, Kuhn VB 2160 Baler did not show such an impressive result as JD 960 Baler. However, its use and operation is recommended to small or medium-sized agricultural companies which can appreciate the baler´s performance especially during hay and straw harvesting.

Um dos fatores que ainda retarda o uso do palhiço remanescente da colheita mecanizada para cogeração de energia é a falta de conhecimento de processos ou sistemas que viabilizem a retirada e transporte desse material até as unidades de cogeração. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar os desempenhos técnico, econômico e energético de uma enfardadora, em diferentes condições de distribuição de palhiço na superfície, buscando viabilizar o recolhimento do palhiço remanescente da colheita mecanizada. O ensaio foi realizado na Usina Iracema, município de Iracemápolis-SP, em área de cana-de-açúcar, colhida mecanicamente. A área foi dividida em três subáreas., com cinco repetições de 15 fardos cada. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: T1- palhiço in natura, sem enleiramento; T2- palhiço com enleiramento simples; T3- palhiço com enleiramento duplo. As principais avaliações foram: força na barra de tração, potência, velocidade efetiva, consumo de combustível, capacidades de produção e de campo efetivas, custos efetivos para o enfardamento, eficiência energética do enfardamento e potencial energético do palhiço recolhido. Os resultados mostraram que a demanda de força na barra para tracionar a enfardadora não mostrou diferenças entre os tratamentos e variou de 344,21 a 369,43 kgf, a demanda de potência exigida para o deslocamento do conjunto foi baixa podendo, dessa forma, reservar a maior parcela para o acionamento da TDP. Houve diferenças significativas nas velocidades operacionais, com valor de 4,9 km.h-1 no enfardamento sem enleiramento, 2,45 km.h-1 no enfardamento com leiras simples e 1,73 km.h-1 no enfardamento com enleiramento duplo. A capacidade de produção efetiva no tratamento T1 foi de 6,55 t.h-1, 8,1 t.h-1 no T2 e 5,81 t.h-1 no T3. A capacidade de campo efetiva foi de 7,75 t.ha-1 no T1; 9,2 t.ha-1 no T2 e 7,54 t.ha-1. O consumo horário de combustível no T1 foi de 7,86 l.h-1, no T2 foi de 7,48 l.h-1 e no T3 de 6,54 l.h-1. O consumo por tonelada de palhiço recolhido foi menor no tratamento T2 (0,92 l.t-1), seguido do T3 (1,13 l.t-1) e do T1 (1,20 l.t-1). O Tratamento T2 apresentou menor custo por tonelada de palhiço recolhido (7,45 R$.t-1), o custo no T1 foi de 9,33 R$.t-1 e no T3 foi de 10,49 R$.t-1. A eficiência energética da operação de enfardamento no T1 foi de 99,62%, no T2 foi de 99,71% e no T3 foi 99,64%. O potencial energético do palhiço recolhido no T1 foi 9,92 EBP.ha-1, no T2 foi 11,77 EBP.ha-1 e no T3 foi de 9,65 EBP.ha- 1. Diante dos resultados, pode concluir que: o enleiramento reduziu o teor de umidade do palhiço; a demanda de força de tração e de potência para tracionar a enfardadora foram pequenas; o sistema de recolhimento de palhiço em leiras simples apresentou melhor desempenho econômico e energético; por se tratar de uma enfardadora de baixa capacidade efetiva é inapropriada para operação em grandes áreas; considerando-se as inúmeras variáveis, intervenientes nos 3 tratamentos, entende-se que a melhor opção para o uso desta enfardadora é operação em área com enleiramento simples do palhiço. / One of the factors that still delay the use of the residue of sugar cane mechanical harvest for energy cogeneration is the lack of knowledge of processes or systems that allow the materials removal and transportation to the cogenerations place. The objective of this research was study the performances technical, economic and energetic of a bailing, in different conditions of distribution of sugar cane residue on the surface, trying to make viable the collection of the remaining mechanized harvest. The test was realized at sugar cane mill Iracema, located in Iracemápolis-SP, in an area of sugar cane, mechanically harvested. The area was divided into three sub-areas, with five replicates of 15 bales each. The treatments were: T1-sugar cane residue \"in natura\", without row; T2-sugar cane residue with simple row; T3-sugar cane residue with double row. The main evaluations were: force on traction bar, power, effective speed, fuel consumption, capacitys production and effectives field, bailings effectives costs, bailings energetic efficiency and energetic potential of the sugar cane residue bailed. The results showed that the force demand on traction bar to pull the baler showed no differences between the treatments and ranged from 344.21 to 369.43 kgf, the power demand required for the displacement the tractor and the baler was low and, thus, reserve the largest portion to operate the PTO. There were significant differences in operating speeds, with a value of 4.9 km.h-1 on baling without row, 2.45 km.h-1 on baling with simple row and 1.73 km.h-1 on baling with double row. The effective production capacity in the T1 was 6.55 t.h-1, 8.1 t.h-1 in T2 and 5.81 t.h-1 in T3. The effective field capacity was 7.75 t.ha-1 in T1, 9.2 t.ha-1 in T2 and 7.54 t.ha-1. The hourly consumption of fuel at T1 was 7.86 l.h-1 in T2 was 7.48 l.h-1 and T3 of 6.54 l.h-1. The consumption per ton of sugar cane residue collected was lower in treatment T2 (0.92 l.t-1), followed by T3 (1.13 l.t-1) and T1 (1.20 l.t-1). The treatment T2 had lower cost per ton of sugar cane residue baled (7.45.R$.t-1), the cost in T1 was 9.33 R$.t-1 and T3 was 10.49 R$.t-1. The energetic efficiency of the baling operation in T1 was 99.62% at T2 was 99.71% and 99.64% in T3. The energetic potential of the sugar cane residue baled at T1 was 9.92 EBP.ha-1 in T2 was 11.77 EBP.ha-1 and T3 was 9.65 EBP.ha-1. The results may conclude that: the rows operation reduced the sugar cane residue humidity, the demand of the traction force and power to pull the baler were small, the simple rows was the system that showed better performance and energy economic; the baler had a small effective capacity for this is inappropriate for large areas; considering the many variables that affects the treatments, understood that the best option for the use of this baler is operating in sugar cane residues areas with simple rows.

Um dos fatores que ainda retarda o uso do palhiço remanescente da colheita mecanizada para cogeração de energia é a falta de conhecimento de processos ou sistemas que viabilizem a retirada e transporte desse material até as unidades de cogeração. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar os desempenhos técnico, econômico e energético de uma enfardadora, em diferentes condições de distribuição de palhiço na superfície, buscando viabilizar o recolhimento do palhiço remanescente da colheita mecanizada. O ensaio foi realizado na Usina Iracema, município de Iracemápolis-SP, em área de cana-de-açúcar, colhida mecanicamente. A área foi dividida em três subáreas., com cinco repetições de 15 fardos cada. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: T1- palhiço in natura, sem enleiramento; T2- palhiço com enleiramento simples; T3- palhiço com enleiramento duplo. As principais avaliações foram: força na barra de tração, potência, velocidade efetiva, consumo de combustível, capacidades de produção e de campo efetivas, custos efetivos para o enfardamento, eficiência energética do enfardamento e potencial energético do palhiço recolhido. Os resultados mostraram que a demanda de força na barra para tracionar a enfardadora não mostrou diferenças entre os tratamentos e variou de 344,21 a 369,43 kgf, a demanda de potência exigida para o deslocamento do conjunto foi baixa podendo, dessa forma, reservar a maior parcela para o acionamento da TDP. Houve diferenças significativas nas velocidades operacionais, com valor de 4,9 km.h-1 no enfardamento sem enleiramento, 2,45 km.h-1 no enfardamento com leiras simples e 1,73 km.h-1 no enfardamento com enleiramento duplo. A capacidade de produção efetiva no tratamento T1 foi de 6,55 t.h-1, 8,1 t.h-1 no T2 e 5,81 t.h-1 no T3. A capacidade de campo efetiva foi de 7,75 t.ha-1 no T1; 9,2 t.ha-1 no T2 e 7,54 t.ha-1. O consumo horário de combustível no T1 foi de 7,86 l.h-1, no T2 foi de 7,48 l.h-1 e no T3 de 6,54 l.h-1. O consumo por tonelada de palhiço recolhido foi menor no tratamento T2 (0,92 l.t-1), seguido do T3 (1,13 l.t-1) e do T1 (1,20 l.t-1). O Tratamento T2 apresentou menor custo por tonelada de palhiço recolhido (7,45 R$.t-1), o custo no T1 foi de 9,33 R$.t-1 e no T3 foi de 10,49 R$.t-1. A eficiência energética da operação de enfardamento no T1 foi de 99,62%, no T2 foi de 99,71% e no T3 foi 99,64%. O potencial energético do palhiço recolhido no T1 foi 9,92 EBP.ha-1, no T2 foi 11,77 EBP.ha-1 e no T3 foi de 9,65 EBP.ha- 1. Diante dos resultados, pode concluir que: o enleiramento reduziu o teor de umidade do palhiço; a demanda de força de tração e de potência para tracionar a enfardadora foram pequenas; o sistema de recolhimento de palhiço em leiras simples apresentou melhor desempenho econômico e energético; por se tratar de uma enfardadora de baixa capacidade efetiva é inapropriada para operação em grandes áreas; considerando-se as inúmeras variáveis, intervenientes nos 3 tratamentos, entende-se que a melhor opção para o uso desta enfardadora é operação em área com enleiramento simples do palhiço. / One of the factors that still delay the use of the residue of sugar cane mechanical harvest for energy cogeneration is the lack of knowledge of processes or systems that allow the materials removal and transportation to the cogenerations place. The objective of this research was study the performances technical, economic and energetic of a bailing, in different conditions of distribution of sugar cane residue on the surface, trying to make viable the collection of the remaining mechanized harvest. The test was realized at sugar cane mill Iracema, located in Iracemápolis-SP, in an area of sugar cane, mechanically harvested. The area was divided into three sub-areas, with five replicates of 15 bales each. The treatments were: T1-sugar cane residue \"in natura\", without row; T2-sugar cane residue with simple row; T3-sugar cane residue with double row. The main evaluations were: force on traction bar, power, effective speed, fuel consumption, capacitys production and effectives field, bailings effectives costs, bailings energetic efficiency and energetic potential of the sugar cane residue bailed. The results showed that the force demand on traction bar to pull the baler showed no differences between the treatments and ranged from 344.21 to 369.43 kgf, the power demand required for the displacement the tractor and the baler was low and, thus, reserve the largest portion to operate the PTO. There were significant differences in operating speeds, with a value of 4.9 km.h-1 on baling without row, 2.45 km.h-1 on baling with simple row and 1.73 km.h-1 on baling with double row. The effective production capacity in the T1 was 6.55 t.h-1, 8.1 t.h-1 in T2 and 5.81 t.h-1 in T3. The effective field capacity was 7.75 t.ha-1 in T1, 9.2 t.ha-1 in T2 and 7.54 t.ha-1. The hourly consumption of fuel at T1 was 7.86 l.h-1 in T2 was 7.48 l.h-1 and T3 of 6.54 l.h-1. The consumption per ton of sugar cane residue collected was lower in treatment T2 (0.92 l.t-1), followed by T3 (1.13 l.t-1) and T1 (1.20 l.t-1). The treatment T2 had lower cost per ton of sugar cane residue baled (7.45.R$.t-1), the cost in T1 was 9.33 R$.t-1 and T3 was 10.49 R$.t-1. The energetic efficiency of the baling operation in T1 was 99.62% at T2 was 99.71% and 99.64% in T3. The energetic potential of the sugar cane residue baled at T1 was 9.92 EBP.ha-1 in T2 was 11.77 EBP.ha-1 and T3 was 9.65 EBP.ha-1. The results may conclude that: the rows operation reduced the sugar cane residue humidity, the demand of the traction force and power to pull the baler were small, the simple rows was the system that showed better performance and energy economic; the baler had a small effective capacity for this is inappropriate for large areas; considering the many variables that affects the treatments, understood that the best option for the use of this baler is operating in sugar cane residues areas with simple rows.

Submitted by Deyse Queiroz (deysequeirozz@hotmail.com) on 2018-06-14T14:48:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JEANE FERREIRA JERÔNIMO - TESE PPGEA 2012..pdf: 42693746 bytes, checksum: c91e8aa096fd962343ca9b15139df5dd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-14T14:48:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JEANE FERREIRA JERÔNIMO - TESE PPGEA 2012..pdf: 42693746 bytes, checksum: c91e8aa096fd962343ca9b15139df5dd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02 / Na busca de melhorias nos atuais níveis de produtividade e na redução nos custos de produção do algodoeiro no Brasil, novas tecnologias vêm sendo incorporadas ao sistema de produção, visando oferecer alternativa de verticalização da produção através do seu beneficiamento, com equipamentos compactos e itinerantes, possibilitando entre os produtores ou associações a agregação de valor à sua produção. Nesta linha de investigação objetivou-se com o presente trabalho desenvolver um conjunto composto por descaroçador, prensa enfardadeira e reboque, que atenda aos cotonicultores da agricultura familiar. O descaroçador compõe-se de: limpador com alimentação manual, cilindro de serras, cilindro de escovas, condensador e rolo; a prensa enfardadeira: chapa (masseira), cilindros hidráulicos, bomba hidráulica, válvula de controle de acionamento, dispositivos de filtragem do óleo hidráulico e manómetro; e o reboque: chassi de cantoneiras em U quatro rodas de aro 13, pontas de eixo, dois feixes de cinco molas, lastro em chapa de ferro e freio próprio. O conjunto desenvolvido foi avaliado e validado em laboratório e em campo por cotonicultores de associações ligados à agricultura familiar considerando as principais características: tecnologias da fibra e as físicas e fisiológicas da semente. Para o descaroçador estudou-se rotações, cultivares, tipos de serras e processos de limpeza; para a prensa enfardadeira foi avaliado o número de prensagem e sua capacidade para formação de um fardo; enquanto para o reboque foi considerado o coeficiente de segurança do dimensionamento do eixo e do chassi. Com base nos resultados, o conjunto descaroçador, prensa enfardadeira e reboque atendeu plenamente com a eficiência requerida pela indústria têxtil, os objetivos propostos comprovaram que as características tecnológicas da fibra do algodão beneficiado se mantiveram dentro dos padrões estabelecidos pelas normas de classificação da indústria têxtil por não danificar a qualidade das sementes; na avaliação e validação do conjunto pelos agricultores composto de 15 itens, em que se considera rendimento do descaroçador, o peso do fardo recebeu o conceito "muito bom" dos cotonicultores da agricultura familiar. / In the search of improvements in current yield rates and simultaneous costs reduction for cotton production in Brazil, new Technologies have been incorporated into the production system, to offer an alternative to vertical integration of production through their processing, with compact and mobile ginning equipment, allowing producers and associations add value to their production. In this way of research, the present work aimed to develop a machine composed by gin, press baler and tow, which concerns the familiar cotton growers. The gin machine consists of a manual feeder cleaner, saws cylinder, brushes cylinder, condenser and coil. The baler press consists of veneer, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic pump, control valve actuation, filtering devices for hydraulic oil and manometer: and the tow composed by chassis of U corner, 13" wheels, axis cusp, two bundles with five coil springs, iron ballast and self brake. The hole set has been evaluated and validated in field and by cotton growers of family farming associations considering the main characteristics of: fiber technology and physical and physiological of seed. For the ginning was studied the rotations, cultivars, saws types and cleaning processes; for the baler press was evaluated the number of presses and the capacity for forming a bale; while to the tow was considerate the safety factor of the axis and chassis scaling. Based on the results, the set of gin, baler and tow fully complied with the efficiency required by textile industry. The proposed goals proved that the technological characteristics of the cotton fiber benefited remained within the standards established by classification norm for the textile industry to not damage the quality of seeds. During the evaluation and validation made by farmers, composed by 15 items, considering efficiency of gin and the bale weight, this machine received the concept "very good" of the family cotton growers.