Actuating Force Required For Operating Various Controls Of Walk-Behind Type Paddy Transplanter Leading To Development Of Remotely Operated System

Highlights The actuating force, torque, and application rate needed to operate the control levers of paddy transplanter were determined. Results would be beneficial for the development of a remote-control/autonomous system for the transplanter. The system will reduce the operators‘ fatigue, resulting in increased work efficiency and safety. ABSTRACT A great deal of human fatigue is involved with operating the walk-behind type paddy transplanter popularly applied in South Asian countries, especially in India. To operate the transplanter remotely, an accurate estimation of the actuating force used to control the hand levers (push and pull type), the stroke length to actuate the lever, and frequency of use of control levers is required so that conventional mechanical levers can be replaced by appropriate electronic sensors, control units, and actuators. In this work, the actuating forces and required torques of the control levers of a walk-behind paddy transplanter (Kubota make; NSP-4W, MZ175-B-1) were measured using three types of load measuring instruments. The results revealed that about 24.1 N force was required to control the accelerator lever, whereas the left turning and right turning steering levers required an actuating force of 24.0 N each respectively. To start the transplanting mechanism, a much higher actuating force (78.1 N) and torque (14.84 N-m) was required for 54 times/hour by controlling the planting clutch lever; to stop the mechanism, however, comparatively smaller force (28.3 N) and torque (5.38 N-m) was required for 54 times/hour. The movement of the transplanter was controlled by shift clutch lever, which required 14.30 N force (2.6 N-m torque) from neutral to forward direction of transplanter in the field condition, whereas 12.7 N force and 2.4 N-m torque was required to control the lever for forward movement of the transplanter on road conditions. These findings would be beneficial for selecting the force and stroke length of actuators for the development of remote control/ autonomous system for the walk-behind type paddy transplanter and other similar machines, which is expected to substantially reduce the operator‘s workload and enhance both workability and safety.