Development of solar operated and remote-controlled mower for high-density orchards

A solar-powered, remote-controlled lawn mower was designed and developed specifically for use in high-density apple orchards to facilitate efficient and eco-friendly grass and vegetation management between orchard rows. The primary objective of the study was to enhance operational ease, maneuverability, and precision in grass cutting within densely planted orchard environments. The system features a remote-control interface enabling the operator to steer and operate the mower from a distance, particularly useful for navigating tight spaces and avoiding tree trunks and other obstacles. The propulsion mechanism consists of two DC drive motors, while a third motor powers the cutting blade. The mower is equipped with 152.4 mm (6-inch) diameter wheels and offers a ground clearance of 28 mm-dimensions optimized for orchard floor conditions. Power is supplied by a 12 Ah battery pack, which supports all motor functions. A photovoltaic (solar) panel is integrated to supplement charging and extend operational autonomy. The battery takes approximately 5 hours to reach full charge using an AC power source and supports continuous mowing operations for up to 80 minutes under full load. During field testing, the mower demonstrated a forward speed of 2 km/h and achieved an effective field capacity of 0.030 ha/h. The initial grass height was recorded at 70 mm. The mower was operated over a test plot of 12 m², completing two passes to achieve a uniform post-cut grass height of 20 mm. Post-operation measurements indicated a cutting height variation ranging from 25 to 50 mm across the test area.