FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

SUB. CODE: 20AT51I

WEEK-2
“FIELD CAPACITIES & ECONOMICS”

Prepared By,
Bhaskar vitla
Lecturer in Automobile Dept.
GPT Kushalnagara

01-09-2023 Prepared by Bhaskar vitla, GPT Kushalnagara 1

 FIELD CAPACITIES & ECONOMICS
Theoretical Field capacity: The theoretical field capacity is the rate at which a machine
would do a job if there were no interruptions —no clogging, turning, slowing, or filling of
hoppers. This capacity is expressed in terms of acres per hour or ℎ𝑎/ℎ𝑟
𝑆
𝑇𝐹𝐶 = 𝑊 × −−− −ℎ𝑎/ℎ𝑟
10
Where, W = Width in feet; S = Speed in mph
Theoretical Time per ha.: It is the time that would be required at the theoretical field
capacity.
Effective Field Capacity: It is the actual average rate coverage by the machine. It is expressed
as ha/hr or acres per hour
𝑊 × 𝑆 × 𝐸𝑓
𝐸𝐹𝐶 𝐶 =
10
W=Rated width of implement, m (feet)
S=Speed of travel, Km/hr (miles/hr) ; Ef=Field Efficiency, %
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 FIELD CAPACITIES & ECONOMICS

Thus Effective field capacities on the basis of total hr or minutes per ha. or acre, is the sum of
the theoretical time per hectare plus the time per hectare required for turns plus the time per
hectare required for ‘support functions’ i.e. time lost as a result of;
i) Adjusting or lubricating the machine
ii) Breakdowns
iii) Clogging
iv) Turning at ends
v) Adding seed or fertilizer
vi) Unloading of harvested products
vii) Waiting for crop transport equipment etc.

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 FIELD CAPACITIES & ECONOMICS

Effective Operating Time: It is the time during which the machine is actually performing its
intended functions.
Field Efficiency: It is the ratio of effective field capacity to theoretical field capacity, in %. It
includes the effect of time lost in the field and failure to utilize the full width of the machine.

𝐸𝐹𝐶
𝐸𝑓 =
𝑇𝐹𝐶
Performance Efficiency: It is the measure of the functional effectiveness of a machine.
Field Machine Index: It is the percentage ratio of effective operating time plus turning time.
Comparative Index: It is determined by actual time studies with the same machine for
different fields.

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 FIELD CAPACITIES & ECONOMICS

Time Efficiency: It is the ratio of time a machine is effectively operating to the time a machine
is committed to operation. The following list describes the time elements that should be
included when computing the capacities or cost of the machine:
1) Machine preparation time at the farmstead.
2) Travel time to and from the field
3) Machine preparation time in the field both before and after operations (includes daily
servicing, preparation for towing)

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 FIELD CAPACITIES & ECONOMICS

4) Theoretical field time (time the machine is operating in the crop at an optimum forward
speed and performing over its full width of action).
5) Turning time and time crossing grass waterways (machine mechanisms are operating).
6) Time to load or unload the machine if not done on-the-go.
7) Machine adjustment time if not done on-the-go (includes unplugging).
8) Maintenance time (refueling, lubrication, chain tightening etc., if not done on-the-go, not
include daily services).
9) Repair time (time spent in the field to replace or renew parts that have becoming
inoperative.

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 MATERIAL CAPACITY
Material capacity and effective field capacity are the two most common methods of measuring
machine capacity. The material capacity is the measurement of volume throughout per hour and
is expressed as bushels per hour or tons per hour

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡

𝑀=
𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

( Note: Bushels means a measure of capacity equal to 8 gallons or equivalent to 36.4 liters)

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 MATERIAL CAPACITY

Example:
If a self-propelled combine was shelling (removal of maize seeds from the cob) corn that
yielded 150 bushels (a measure of capacity equal to 8 gallons or equivalent to 36.4 liters, used
for corn, fruit, liquids, etc.) per acre, its effective field capacity could be expressed in bushels
per acre. If 39 acres of corn is combined in ten hours with no breakdowns or other delays, its
effective material capacity would be:

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 150 × 39

𝑀= ⇒ ⇒ 585 𝑏𝑢𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑟.
𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 10

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 FACTORS AFFECTING FIELD EFFICIENCY

1) Theoretical field capacity of machine: Field efficiency decreases with an increase in TFC
and with an increase in the operating speed of the implement.

2) Machine Maneuverability: Farm machines need to be easily maneuvered in fields and on

the roads to the fields. Field machines need to be designed to make short turns at the ends of
the fields and while following crop rows planted on the contour and in curves. Field tillage or
seeding machines can make square turns, Raking or windrowing or bailing operations usually
follow a rounded corner pattern.

( Note: Maneuverability is the quality of being easy to move and direct: Power-assisted
steering improves a car’s maneuverability)

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 FACTORS AFFECTING FIELD EFFICIENCY

3) Field patterns: Objectives are:

i) Amount of field travel should be minimum.
ii) Number of non-working turns should be minimum.
iii) Number of non-working travel in interior of field should be minimum.
iv) Field patterns should produce level surface to eliminate water ponding.
v) Repeated machine travel over a particular area of field will cause compaction of soil.

4) Field Shape: An irregular field has less field efficiency than rectangular fields because of
excessive turning time.

5) Field Size: Field efficiency of large fields is less.

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 FACTORS AFFECTING FIELD EFFICIENCY

6) Yield (If harvesting operation): If yield is high it changes the width of cut of machine.
Throughout capacity of combine approx. is 10 ton/hr (4m cutter-bar).

7) Crop and Soil conditions: If crop and soil conditions are poor machine forward speed
reduced, field efficiency will improve, but this is not the desirable factor.

8) System Limitations: Field efficiency may be limited by the capacity of other operations
in a system, e.g. seedbed preparation and planting is a system in which seeding is required
immediately after the soil preparation. Seeding can be done 1 acre/h but seed bed preparation
can’t (disc narrow one vass acres/h.

01-09-2023 Prepared by Bhaskar vitla, GPT Kushalnagara 11

 CALCULATION OF THEORETICAL FIELD CAPACITY

Theoretical Field Capacity is a simple calculation involving speed and width with efficiency
set at 100%. It can be calculated from the following equation:

𝑆
𝑇𝐹𝐶 = 𝑊 × −−− −𝐴𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑠/ℎ𝑟
8.25
Where, W = Width in feet; S = Speed in mph
The 8.25 is a constant used to convert the multiplication of feet and miles to the area in acres.

01-09-2023 Prepared by Bhaskar vitla, GPT Kushalnagara 12

 CALCULATION OF THEORETICAL FIELD CAPACITY

Suppose a tractor with a 20-foot grain drill travels 5.0 mph. What is the theoretical field
capacity (TFC)?
𝑆 𝐴𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑠
𝑇𝐹𝐶 = 𝑊 × −−− −
8.25 ℎ𝑟

5
𝑇𝐹𝐶 = 20 × ⇒ 12.12 𝐴𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑠/ℎ𝑟
8.25

It is impossible to maintain the theoretical field capacity of a machine over long periods of
time. Interruptions such as turning, filling seed hoppers and breakdowns cause severe
reductions in theoretical field capacity. The theoretical field capacity can be used as a
benchmark for evaluating the performance of a machine or operator because it is the maximum
capacity attainable at a given speed.

01-09-2023 Prepared by Bhaskar vitla, GPT Kushalnagara 13

 PROBLEMS

1. A tractor with a 4.5 m disc travels 8 km/hr speed, what is the total field capacity in ha/hr?
Solution:
Data: W = 4.25 m; S = 8 Km/hr; TFC =?

𝑆 ℎ𝑎
𝑇𝐹𝐶 = 𝑊 × −−− −
10 ℎ𝑟

8
𝑇𝐹𝐶 = 4.25 × ⇒ 3.4 ℎ𝑎/ℎ𝑟
10

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 PROBLEMS

2. A power harrow has 5 m width runs at a speed of 30 Km/hr, calculate the total field capacity.
Solution:
Data: W = 5 m; S =30 Km/hr; TFC =?

𝑆 ℎ𝑎
𝑇𝐹𝐶 = 𝑊 × −−− −
10 ℎ𝑟

30
𝑇𝐹𝐶 = 5 × ⇒ 15 ℎ𝑎/ℎ𝑟
10
OR
= 15 × 2.417 ⇒ 37.06 𝐴𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑠/ℎ𝑟

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 PROBLEMS

3. A tractor pulls 2 m width heavy-duty offset disc harrow at an operating speed of 5 km/hr,
what is the total field capacity?

4. A rotary tiller has 10 feet operating width, If the tractor runs at a speed of 2 miles/hr, what is
the total field capacity?

5. A 3 bottom disc plough ploughing at a speed of 9 km/hr. The effective width per plough
bottom is 20 cm, what is TFC?

6. A land was ploughed using 3 bottom 12 inches tractor mounted MB plough operating at a
speed of 5 km/hr. Find the theoretical field capacity?

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 CALCULATION OF EFFECTIVE FIELD CAPACITY

It is the actual average rate of coverage by the machine. It is expressed as ha/hr.

𝑊 × 𝑆 × 𝐸𝑓
𝐸𝐹𝐶 =
10
W=Rated width of implement, m (feet)
S=Speed of travel, Km/hr (miles/hr)
Ef=Field Efficiency in %

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 PROBLEMS

1. A 100 cm double action disc harrow is operated by a tractor having a speed 5 km/hr,
calculate actual field capacity when field efficiency is considered as 80%.
Solution:
Given Data: W=100 cm = 1 m; S =5 km/hr; E =80%
Wkt,
𝑊×𝑆×𝐸𝑓
𝐸𝐹𝐶 =
10
1×5×0.8
𝐸𝐹𝐶 = ⇒ 0.4 ha/hr
10

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 PROBLEMS

2. A Four Bottom 40cm MB Plough is operating at a speed of 5.5 km/hr, field efficiency is
75%. Calculate rate of doing work in ha/hr.
Solution:
Given Data: W=40 cm = 0.4 m
Total Four bottom MB plough is attached so that Total width W = 0.4 ×4= 1.6 m;
S =5.5 km/hr; E =75%
Wkt,
𝑊×𝑆×𝐸𝑓
𝐸𝐹𝐶 =
10
1.6×5.5×0.75
𝐸𝐹𝐶 = ⇒ 0.66 ha/hr
10

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 PROBLEMS
3. A 3× 30 cm plough is moving at a speed of 4km/hr, calculate how much time is required to plough 500 ×500
field when the filed efficiency is 70%.
Solution:
Given Data: W=3 × 30 cm = 90 cm = 0.9 m; Field area = 500 × 500 m2 ; S =4 km/hr; E =70%
Wkt,
𝑊×𝑆×𝐸𝑓 0.9×4×0.70
𝐸𝐹𝐶 = ; 𝐸𝐹𝐶 = ⇒ 0.252 ha/hr
10 10
We know that,
1 hectare = 10000 m2
Total field area = 500 × 500 m2 = 250000 m2
For 1 Hour EFC is 0.252 ha. = 0.252 × 10000 m2 ⇒ 2520 m2 (in meter square)
Now,
2520 m2 - 1 hr
250000 m2 -?
Cross Multiply the above equation then We get,
100 hrs (Approximately)
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 DEPRESSION COST OF THE TRACTOR

✓Depreciated cost is the value of a fixed asset minus all of the accumulated depreciation that
has been recorded against it.
✓The value of an asset after its useful life is complete is measured by the depreciated cost.
✓Depreciation is a cost resulting from wear, obsolescence, and age of a machine
✓This is the Fixed cost

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 OPERATING COST OF THE TRACTOR

Operating or operational costs are the expenses related to the operation of

equipment/Machines.
They are the cost of resources an organization uses to maintain its existence.
This is the Variable Cost

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 FIXED AND VARIABLE COST

Fixed Cost Variable Cost

Depreciation R/M Cost
Interest Fuel Cost
Taxes Lubrication
Shelter Labour cost
Insurance -

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 METHODS TO CALCULATE THE
DEPRESSION COST OF THE TRACTOR

1. Straight Line Method

2. Declining-Balance Method
3. Alternate Method
4. Sinking Fund Method
5. Sum of the years-Digits Methods

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 STRAIGHT LINE METHOD

1. Straight Line Method: The annual depreciation charge is given by following the
relationship,
𝐶−𝑆 𝑅𝑠
𝐷= −− −
𝐿×𝐻 ℎ𝑟
Where,
D = Depreciation per Hr; C = Capital Investment in Rs
S = Salvage or Junk scrap = 10% of C; L = Life of Machine in Yrs.
H= No of Working Hrs.

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 CALCULATE THE OPERATING COST OF THE TRACTOR

Repair & Maintenance It varies between 5 to 10% of Initial

cost of machine per year
Fuel Cost Fuel cost is calculated on the basis of
actual fuel consumption in the tractor
Lubricants It should be calculated on actual
consumption but it varies between 30 to
35% of the fuel cost
Wages Wages are calculated on the basis of
actual wages of the workers.

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 FIXED COST CALCULATION
✓Depreciation: By using straight-line method
✓Interest: The interest is calculated for the capital investment considering the salvage value,
(𝐶+𝑆)
𝐼=
(𝐻×𝑖×100)
Where,
i = Rate of interest.
✓Taxes: The taxes paid towards the tractor or the implement is considered as 1% of the capital
cost
0.01 𝑅𝑠
𝑇𝑎𝑥𝑒𝑠 = 𝐶 × −−−− −
𝐻 ℎ𝑟
✓Insurance: The insurance is considered as 1% of the capital cost only for the prime movers
0.01 𝑅𝑠
Insurence = 𝐶 × −−−− −
𝐻 ℎ𝑟
✓Housing cost: It is required to house the tractor in a shed for protection of the machine. This
is also 1% of the Capital cost
01-09-2023 Prepared by Bhaskar vitla, GPT Kushalnagara 27
 VARIABLE COST CALCULATION
✓Cost of fuel: The cost of fuel is calculated by considering the present cost of the fuel and
average fuel consumption of the tractor in Lit./hr
Cost of fuel =Average fuel consumption (Lit./hr) ×Cost of fuel (Rs/Lit.)-----Rs/hr
✓Cost of lubricant: The cost of lubricant is considered as 30% of the cost of the fuel.
✓Cost of repair and maintenance: It is taken as 6% of the capital cost for calculation
purpose.
0.06 𝑅𝑠
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝐶 × −−−− −
𝐻 ℎ𝑟
✓ Cost of the operator: This is calculated consider the wages of operator for a day of 8 hrs.
of work.

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 PROBLEM
✓ Cost of operation of using a tractor of 40 hp, where the tractor is purchased for 4,00,000.
Assume that the life of the tractor is 10 years and rate of interest 13%.
Calculate the cost of ploughing using the above tractor. Assume estimated working hours
=1000 hrs.
Given: C= Capital cost = 4,00,000 Rs
S = Scrap or salvage value = 10% of C = 40,000 Rs
L = Life of the tractor or implement = 10 yrs.
H = No of working hours per years = 1000 hrs.

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 PROBLEM
Solution:
1. Fixed Cost
a. Depreciation: --?
b. Interest:--?
c. Taxes:--?
d. Insurance:--?
e. Housing cost:--?
Total fixed cost = Depreciation+ Interest+ Taxes+ Insurance+ Housing cost
= --?
2. Variable Cost:
a. Cost of fuel: Assume the tractor is consuming 4 lit. per hour and cost of the diesel is 86
Rs/hr ⇒ 86 × 4 =?
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 PROBLEM
0.06 0.06 𝑅𝑠
b. 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝐶 × ⇒ 400000 × =? −−−− −
𝐻 1000 ℎ𝑟
c. Cost of operator: Assuming the wages of operator as 750 per day of 8 hrs. of work
Cost of operator/Driver =750/day
= 750/8 =?
Total variable cost = a+b+c =?

Total operating cost of tractor per hr

= Fixed cost + Variable Cost
=?

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 PLANIMETER
✓A planimeter is an instrument used in surveying to compute the area of any given plan.
✓ Planimeter only needs a plan drawn on the sheet to calculate area.
✓ Generally, it is difficult to determine the area of an irregular plot.
✓ So, by using the planimeter we can easily calculate the area of any shape.

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 END OF SECOND WEEK.

THANK YOU

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