Evaluation of tractor operated manure spreader with rear vertical rollers

Application of farm yard manure is done manually which makes it labour as well as time-consuming operation. In order to spread farmyard manure uniformly and in minimum time, a tractor operated rear roller solid manure spreader was evaluated in the field. The moisture content of manure used for the operation varied from 30–40% (w.b.) and its density varied from 430–480 kg/m³. The machine loading capacity varied from 1.0–1.2 tonnes. The machine was operated at different forward speeds between 2.0 to 7.0 km/h and at 1400, 1500 and 1600 engine rpm. The machine mean swath width varied from 2.3–4.0 m, mean field capacity varied from 0.11 to 0.55 ha/h and mean fuel consumption varied from 5.35–7.80 l/h. The manure mean application rate during field experiments varied between 10.58–36.37 t/ha. The average saving in time for spreading manure with tractor operated manure spreader was 66.17% and average saving of cost was 50.43% as compared to the traditional trolley method. Increasing of engine rpm and forward speed of tractor combinedly resulted in increase in field capacity of machine, increase in fuel consumption and decrease in manure application rate per unit area.