Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.] is second important pulse crop of the country after chickpea in India. Harvesting by engine operated self-propelled reaper involves very high vibration and noise which creates adverse effect on operator and combine harvester unable to work properly in small fragmented land. Considering all above, a study was planned to develop battery operated pigeon pea stem cutter in which the cutting may be done by an electric power through motor. Developed pigeon pea stem cutter was tested in research farm with two independent parameter of forward speed and blade type at Sagdividi Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh in March 2022. The overall performance of the machine was evaluated on the basis of field capacity, field efficiency, cutting efficiency, uncut and damage per centage by two different levels of forward speeds and three types of cutting blade. The field data were statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the Factorial-complete randomized design (FCRD) with three replications. The value of field capacity was 39.06 h/ha for two labors, hence total 78.12 man-h/ha required for traditional method whereas the total time required was 9.10 h/ha (18.20 man^-h/ha) using two labors for mechanical harvesting method using developed pigeon pea stem cutter. Total harvesting cost was 3000 ₹/ha for manual harvesting method. Whereas total harvesting cost was 993.79 ₹/ha for developed pigeon pea stem cutter. In stem cutter harvesting method, there was 76.70% time decreased and 66.87% reduction in cost as compared with manual pigeon pea harvesting.