MODIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF A PEDAL DRIVEN SEED DRILL

F. B. Akande, O. E. Ajiki, O. Adekoya and K.O. Oriola*

Department of Agricultural Engineering,

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

E-mail: kazzyoris@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: An existing pedal driven seed drill was test run, the problem with the low level of performance was studied, and modifications were made on the existing pedal driven seed drill for better performance. The angle of repose was used to calculate the volume of the seed hopper, shaft design of the solid agitator, diameter of both the front and rear wheel and the length of chain were calculated. The newly fabricated seed drill was calibrated and tested on the field using paddy rice and sorghum. The results of the calibration shows a seed discharge rate of 43.24 kg/ha for paddy rice and 432.2 kg/ha for sorghum. The speed, theoretical and effective field capacity were calculated to be 1.89 km/h, 0.174 ha/h, and 0.086084 ha/hr. The efficiency of the machine was evaluated to be 49.5 %. The seed drill has a seeding rate of 43.24 kg/ha.