Performance Evaluation of Sorghum Harvester Considering Crop, Machine and Operating Parameters

The performance evaluation of the tractor operated sorghum harvester was conducted at farmer’s field at Raichur, Karnataka, and evaluated for different crop and machine parameters viz., three tractor forward speeds (0.56, 0.69 and 0.83 m s^-1), three conveyor belt speed (1.00, 1.50 and 200 m s^-1), and at three sorghum crop stalk moisture content (27.23%, 22.19% and 18.32%). The sorghum Varada-14 hybrid variety was selected for the study. The results showed that the highest cutting efficiency of 94.09% and best conveying efficiency of 85% were found when the tractor was moving at 0.56 m s^-1, the conveyor belt speed was 2.50 m s^-1, and the crop moisture content was 27.23% (wet basis). On the other hand, the lowest cutting efficiency of 71.25% and conveying efficiency of 64% were observed when the tractor speed was 0.83 m s^-1, the belt speed was 1.50 m s^-1, and the crop moisture was 18.32% (w. b.). Also, the maximum shattering loss of 0.84% and maximum windrowing loss of 1.01% found at 0.83 m s^-1 tractor speed, 2.50 m s^-1 conveyor belt speed, and 18.32% (w. b.) crop moisture content. The minimum shattering loss of 0.10% and lowest windrowing loss of 0.15% were recorded at 0.56 m s^-1 tractor speed, 1.50 m s^-1 belt speed, and 27.23% crop moisture. It was found that the tractor operated sorghum harvester had high performance efficiency when it is operated at tractor forward speed 0.56 m s^-1, conveyor belt speed 2.50 m s^-1 and crop moisture content 27.23% (w. b.).