Here comes the BPRE Pneumatic corn planter

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

Development of the Planter

In 2002 Dr. Manolito C. Bulaong and other BPRE engineers had already developed a prototype of a 2-row pneumatic corn planter.  However, it needed further improvement before it could be commercialized.

Thus, Caparino and a host of other BPRE engineers set out to test the prototype corn planter under different field conditions. 

Caparino’s team included Dr. Bulaong, Andres M. Tuates Jr., Wryan Quiel Z. Viloria, Donald V. Mateo, Jimmy P. Esguerra and Ruben E. Manalabe.

Caparino said the prototype had four assemblies: planting, fertilizer applicator, main frame, and drive assemblies.  It used a pneumatic metering device to be able to plant any size of corn seeds.  It can be installed in pairs like two rows, four rows, six rows and so on, depending on the horsepower rating of the tractor to be used.

Likewise, the prototype can be hitched on the rear of any four-wheel tractor by means of a standard three-point hitch.  The planting assembly had adjustments for row and hill spacing, as well as soil depth.  The fertilizer applicator assembly had an adjustable metering device and was made of stainless steel for protection against corrosion.  Ideally, it should operate well under the smaller sizes of Philippine farms.

The prototype was tested and evaluated in Alcala, Binalonan and San Jacinto, Pangasinan, as well as in Quezon and Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.

Results of  the test and evaluation of  the prototype led to modifications in the fabrication of a working model.  The modifications were focused on the depth gauge, soil compactor, drive wheel, seed metering, base fertilizer tank, fertilizer metering, stand, and shafting.

The working model has the same features as the prototype plus the following:

* An optional furrower that can create half V-shaped or V-shaped furrows for easy irrigation after planting, which is the preferred practice in some corn areas.

* The seed metering and fertilizer applicator had separate ground wheel and gear box to reduce load and slippage.

* An agitator in the fertilizer metering system was included to avoid compaction and clogging of fertilizer.

* It had a detachable hitching system for better durability.

* Upgrading of material specifications which experienced frequent breakdown and wear out.

The working model was tested and evaluated in a sandy loam soil in Alcala and a clay loam soil in Binalonan using reconditioned Kubota tractors with 22 and 26 horsepower tractor rating, respectively.

It obtained the highest planting capacity of 3.3 hectares a day at a forward speed of 4 kph [kilometers per hour] under both sandy and clay loam soils.  The highest hill planting efficiency of 93.73 percent was attained at a forward speed of 4 kph under clay loam soil. 

Caparino said the machine’s field efficiency, 62.4 to 77.05 percent, is quite low.  It is largely affected by the length and shape of the field and the skill of the operator during turning and maneuvering of the planter.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/harvest-time/)