TTTI/ER/EO/01

COURSE: DIPLOMA IN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

DAG SEPT 2022
AGRICULTURAL MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS
SECTION A
Question 1
a) State the function of the following parts of a planter:
i. Cell wheel

ii. Boot
iii. Hopper

iv. Press wheel

v. Depth wheel (5 marks)

b) Discuss the calibration of a seed drill. (10 marks)

1
 TTTI/ER/EO/01

Question 2
a) Explain the function of the following parts
i. Agitator
ii. Plate and flicker

iii. Star wheel feeder system (3 marks)

2
 TTTI/ER/EO/01

b) Explain four maintenance practices of a spinning disk fertilizer distributor (4 marks)

 Check for loose nuts every day
 Grease the bearings after or before each day’s work
 Keep the spinning disc clean and dry after work everyday.
the plough thoroughly and smear old oil on shiny surfaces of the disc.
 keep correct adjustments of the spinning disc
 replace or repair wornout parts
.
c) Explain the construction of a moving floor slat conveyor manure spreader. (8 marks)

SECTION B
Question 3
a) Differentiate between a precision planter and a seed drill (6 marks)
precision planter can increase seed depth uniformity up to 60% and plant-to-plant spacing up to
approximately 20%, leading to a 10% yield increase when compared to the conventional seed drill
benefits of the precision planter, when compared to the drill, is its ability to control seed depth and its
precise metering, especially when the goal is to plant up to 1.5 million seeds per acre
b) With the aid of a diagram, explain the operation of the fluted feed type mechanism of a planter.
(14 marks)
The fluted wheel also known as fluted roller is driven by a square shaft. There are horizontal groves
provided along the outer periphery of the wheel and wheel can be shifted sideways depending upon the
seed rate. These rollers are mounted at the bottom of the seed box. They receive the seeds in the
longitudinal groves and pass on to the seed tube through the seed hole
It is a seed metering device with adjustable fluted roller to collect and deliver the seeds into the seed
tube.

3
 TTTI/ER/EO/01

Fluted roller feed type mechanism (Fig.16.1) consists of a fluted wheel, feed roller, feed cut-off and
adjustable gate for different sizes of grains.
Fluted roller
Fig. Fluted roller type
The feed roller and the feed cut-off device are mounted on a shaft, running through the feed cups.
The roller carries grooves throughout its periphery. It rotates with the axle over which it is mounted
throws the grains out on the adjustable gate from where it falls into the seed tube.
The fluted rollers which are mounted at the bottom of the seed box, receive seeds into longitudinal
grooves and pass on to the seed tube through the holes provided for this purpose.
By shifting the fluted wheel side ways, the length of the grooves exposed to the seed can be increased or
decreased and hence the amount of seed is controlled.
Thus a number of selection is available between closed position and full exposure of fluted wheel.
The fluted feed mechanism is more positive in its metering action than the internal double run method.

4
 TTTI/ER/EO/01

Question 4
a) Explain the three ways of adjusting fertilizer application when using a spinning disc fertilizer distributor.
(3 marks)

b) Sketch a spinning disk fertilizer and label the parts (7 marks)

5
 TTTI/ER/EO/01

c) Explain the factors considered in the selection of a fertilizer distributor. (10 marks)

Question 5
a) Explain the three types of furrow openers (6 marks)

6
TTTI/ER/EO/01

7
 TTTI/ER/EO/01

Hoe Type: They are equipped with spring tips and suitable for stony or root-infested soils. They are
similar to shovel type and also used for deep placement of seeds if soil is relatively free of trash.
b) Full or Curved Runner: It is a simple device that works well at medium depths in mellow soil free
of trash and weeds. It is suitable for average conditions encountered by corn and cotton
planters. Horizontal plate type depth gages may be attached to the runner for soft soil.
c) Stub Runner: It is used in rough and trashy ground on corn planters.
d) Shovel Type: These openers are best suited for stony or root infested fields. These shovels are bolted
to the flat iron shanks at point where boots are fitted which carry the end of seed tubes. In order to
prevent shock loads due to obstructions, springs are provided. It is easy in construction, cheaper and
easily repairable. It is very common with usual seed drill.
e) Disc Type: These openers are suitable for trashy or relatively hard grounds. In wet sticky soils they
are more satisfactory than fixed openers because they can be kept reasonably clean with scrapers.
Single disc openers are more effective than double disc in regard to penetration and cutting of trash, used
generally on grain drills. Single disc openers with mould board attachments are used for furrow planting
of grain.
Double disc openers are well adapted to medium or shallow seeding of row crops that are critical in
regard to planting depth because depth can be controlled with removable depth bands.

b) Discuss the functions of planters and drills (14 marks)

Question 6

8
 TTTI/ER/EO/01

a) Explain factors affecting seed germination (10 marks)

b) Explain the internal and external force feed metering mechanism (10 marks)