International Journal of Agricultural

Science and Research (IJASR)

ISSN (P): 2250-0057; ISSN (E): 2321-0087
Vol. 7, Issue 5, Oct 2017, 227-242
© TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND MODIFICATION OF SHREDDER

CUTTING MECHANISM

N. SRIDHAR1 & A. SURENDRAKUMAR2

1
Research Scholar, Department of Farm Machinery and Power, AEC & RI,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kumulur, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India
2
Professor, Department of Farm Machinery, AMRC, Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
ABSTRACT

In order to aid in engineering design and modification of cutting mechanism in shredders, and to investigate
the effect of parameter on cutting energy, an impact type pendulum test rig was used to measure the energy required for
cutting the plant stems. A total number of 324 experiments were carried out on KC1 cotton variety, in different thickness
viz., 6 (T1), 8 (T2) and 10 (T3) mm, approach angle viz., 0 (φ1), 15 (φ2), and 30 (φ3) deg, shear angle viz., 0 (θ1), 15 (θ2) and
20 (θ3) deg and bevel angle of cutter blade viz., 23 (α1), 25 (α2), 28 (α3) and 30 deg (α4). The results show that the optimum value
of Specific Cutting Energy (SCE) 178.04 J was obtained, at treatment combination level of α2 × T3× θ 1× φ2, respectively.

Original Article
The optimized treatment combination has been selected, for modifying the cutting mechanism of selected shredder. The
modified shredder, evaluated in actual field condition resulted in saving 37.5 and 82 percent cost and time, when
compared with conventional method of crop residue removal, from agricultural field.

KEYWORDS: Angle of Cutting, Pendulum Test Rig, Field Efficiency & Shredding Efficiency

Received: Jul 24, 2017; Accepted: Aug 12, 2017; Published: Sep 19, 2017; Paper Id.: IJASROCT201728
INTRODUCTION

Govt. Of India estimates, approximately 500 Mt of crop residues are generated every year (MNRE, 2009).
According to different estimates, 72 Mt–127 Mt of crop residues are burnt on-farm (Mehta, 2004; Pathak et al.,
2006; Pathak et al., 2010). Burning residues leads to a plethora of problems, such as the release of soot particles
and smoke causing human health problems, emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane and
nitrous oxide adding to global warming and loss of plant nutrients, such as N, P, K and S. Niveta Jain et al (2014)
reported burning of 98.4 Mt crop residues emitted 8.57 Mt of CO, 141.15 Mt of CO2, 0.037 Mt of SOx, 0.23 Mt of
NOx, 0.12 Mt of NH3 and 1.46 Mt NMVOC, 0.65 Mt of NMHC, 1.21 Mt of particulate matter, during the year
2008–09. Instated of burning, retention on of crop residues on field surface, which help to conserve moisture,
nutrients and controlling weeds in addition to moderating soil temperature. Rajendra Reddy et al. (2002) conducted a
study, to find out the effect of crop residues and tillage operations, on the physico- chemical and microbial properties of
soil and the crop performance. It was found that, the incorporation of crop residue like wheat straw about 5 t ha-1 resulted
in improved soil physical characteristics (bulk density decreased from 1.29 to 1.26 mg m-3, infiltration rate and hydraulic
conductivity increased from 2.42 to 2.86 cm hr-1), along with increased nutrient status (available nitrogen increased from
160.9 to 221.2 kg ha-1, phosphorous increased from 16.2 to 21.2 kg ha-1and potassium increased from 320.8 to 429.8 kg
ha-1).In India, mostly the plants are removed by manual pulling or cutting by sickle, up to the height of 50 to 75 mm
above the ground surface and burnt later. Non-availability of labor, troubles of mechanization and high cost of residue

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228 N. Sridhar & A. Surendrakumar

removal from the field crops, are some of main reasons behind burning of crop residues. Shredders are most commonly used,
for removing the crop residues from agricultural field. Shredding of crop can be performed in a short span of time, which is
of great advantage, especially in the early decomposition of the crop residue in field, to increase soil nutrient content. The
performance of each shredder differs depending on many factors viz,. thickness of cutter blade, bevel angle, shear angle,
approach angle of cutter blade, peripheral velocity of cutter blade and forward speed of operation. Design a new shredder,
or modification of the cutting mechanisms of shredder needs new engineering data, on the cutting properties of crop stem.
Determination of specific cutting energy, is considered to be an important criterion for comparing the effectiveness of any
cutting system. Prasad and Gupta (1975), investigated the mechanical properties of maize stalk, as related to harvesting in a
pendulum impact test apparatus. They reported that, the specific cutting force for maize stalk was 6.3 N mm-1, while
studying the rheological properties of maize stalk under transverse loading, they found that, the optimal value of 23 deg for
the bevel angle and 55 deg for shear angle and 2.65 m s-1 for cutting velocity. The minimum cutting energy was 17 MJ
mm-2, for maize stalk, at 73.6 percent moisture content on a wet basis. Persson (1987) reported that, impact on cutting the
energy consumed to overcome the shearing resistance of the stem, is equal to the energy required for quasi-statics cutting,
plus the energy expended in overcoming friction. Imbabi (1992) found that, the energy requirements for cutting the sesame
plants ranged from 4.32 to 27.03 Joule stem-1, according to the moisture content of stems, while the cutting force ranged
from 432.14 to 1351.31 N stem-1, according to the moisture content of stems. The energy required for the cutting unit of
stalk cutter, may be categorized as: friction in the moving parts of the machine and air friction; kinetic energy required to
accelerate the chopped material; energy required to overcome friction of the chopped material, against the stationary parts
of machine; and energy required to cut the stalk (O’Dogherty et al., 1995; Chattopadhyay and Pandey, 1999).The cutting
strength of the plant stem, and effective parameters on cutting energy have been reported by many researchers, such as rice
( Lee and and Huh 1984), wheat (Hoseinzadeh et al., 2009; Esehaghbeygi et al., 2009; Muller, 1988), barely (Tavakoli et
al., 2009), potato vines (Godesa, 2004), soya bean (Mesquita and Hanna, 1995) and alfalfa (Nazari Galedar et al., 2008).
Reza (2007) designed and constructed a pendulum type impact shear test apparatus, for measuring the energy required for
cutting paddy stem, and optimized the blade optimum parameters. The optimized blade parameters were 28 deg blade
bevel angle, 30 deg oblique angle (approach angle), 35 deg tilt angle (shear angle) and 2.24 ms-1 peripheral velocity of blade.
Yumnam Jekendra and Pratap Singh (1991) concluded that, the rake angle (approach angle) of 10 to 20 deg and operating
speed between 25 to 35 ms-1, gives an optimum cutting energy requirement for forage chopping. O ‘Dogherty and Gale
(1986), investigated the effect of blade parameters on the dynamics of cutting grass. They have used blade thickness of 1 to
3 mm, in blunt condition. The results showed that, below the critical speed (35 ms-1) both cutting time and distance were
significantly less, for the 1 mm blade than for the 2 and 3 mm blades. Vagadia et al. (2004) developed an agricultural waste
shredder, with the size of blade of 362×80×11 mm. One side of the blade was sharpened and the edge was made 30 deg
beveled, for smooth cutting. Senthilkumar (2004) developed a cotton stalk shredder, cum in situ applicator, with the
combination of 2 number of blades, 28.60 ms-1 peripheral velocity, 6 mm blade thickness (model) and 0 deg rake angle was
selected, for experimental cotton stalk shredder for prototype 2 number of blades, 0 deg rake angle and 12 mm blade
thickness was selected. Morad and Fouda (2009) reported that, the forward speeds between 4 to 5.5 km h-1, 2.8 to 4.8 km h-
1
and 2.1 to 3.2 km h-1 were recommended for removing rice straw, cotton stalks and sunflower stalks, respectively.
Maughan et al. (2012) investigated the impact of cutting speed, blade type, and blade angle on miscanthus harvesting
energy requirement. The cutting energy was determined at three cutting speeds (31.5, 47.3 and 63.0 m s-1), three oblique
angles (approach angle) (0, 30 and 40 deg) and two blade fixtures (fixed, flexible). The differences between the blade

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Performance Evaluation and Modification of Shredder Cutting Mechanism 229

fixtures were found to be negligible. A 40 deg oblique angle, operating at 31.5 ms-1 had the lowest energy consumption,
averaging 9.1MJ ha-1.

Information on physical and mechanical characteristics of plant, and the power or energy requirement of
equipment, has been very valuable for selecting a design and operational parameters of the equipment Persson, (1987).
Such information is needed, for the design of shredding and other agricultural machineries, assuring appropriate machine
functions and an efficient use of energy.

The specific objectives of the present study were,

• To study the effect of blade parameters and to determine their optimum values for modification of the cutting
mechanism.

• To investigate the shredding efficiency of modified shredder based on optimized values.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The efficiency of shredder is the ability to cut the crop stalk into very small pieces. The impact type rotary cutter
performance, mainly depends on the design of cutting mechanism of rotating blades. Many factors were involved in the
design of rotary cutter blades. The most significant features of the rotating blades are, thickness of cutter blade, bevel
angle, shear angle, approach angle of cutter blade, peripheral velocity of cutter blade and forward speed of operation. For
achieving maximum shredding efficiency of crop stalks, the following variables were selected for the investigation.

• Bevel angle of cutter blade

• Shear angle of cutter blade

• Approach angle of cutter blade

• Thickness of cutter blade

A total number of 324 experiments were conducted, in Department of farm power and machinery, AEC&RI,
Tamil Nadu agricultural University, Coimbatore, by using the impact type pendulum test rig, as shown in Plate 1. The KC1
(H) variety cotton stem was selected, for the entire laboratory experiment. The investigation was carried out, with four
levels of bevel angle viz., 23, 25, 28 and 30 deg, three levels of approach angle 0, 15, and 30 deg, three levels of shear
angle 0, 15, and 20 deg, and three levels of thickness of the cutter blade 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm, respectively. The
moisture content of cotton stalk was maintained constant (42 to 53.23 per cent in dry basis) throughout all experiments.
The specific cutting energy for selected cotton stem was recorded, during the lab investigation. The effect of selected levels
of variables, for the evaluation parameters was analyzed using a completely randomized design.

Principle of Operation of Pendulum Test Rig

The working principle of impact, type pendulum test rig, where a long swing arm suspended at its top end and has a
blade fixed at the lower end is made to oscillate, in a vertical plane. It is normally displaced to one side of the equilibrium
position, by an angular deflection ‘θ’. By the principle of conservation of energy, the swing arm, when released is expected to
oscillate to the other side of equilibrium line, and deflection through an angle ‘θ’. There is a continuous exchange of energy of the
swing arm, from maximum potential energy (when the arm is at its extreme upswing position before it is released to swing down)
to maximum kinetic energy (when the swing arm is at the equilibrium line). The material to be cut is normally placed at the point

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230 N. Sridhar & A. Surendrakumar

of maximum kinetic energy, of the swinging arm and held by a material holder. When the swing arm is released, it gains speed
till it contacts, and cuts the material placed in the path of the blade (koloor and Kiani, 2007; Johnson et al., 2012; Yiljep and
Mohammed, 200).

Cutting Energy Calculation

The cutting energy of the stem was determined, by the difference between θ and θ0. Expressions for determining
cutting energy requirement and peripheral knife speed, were given as stated by Prasad and Gupta (1975). The following
formula has been used, for calculating specific cutting energy during the experiment.

E = M g R (cos θ0 - cos θ) (1)

Where,

E = Energy utilized for cutting the pendulum, Joules

M = Mass of the pendulum, (kg)

R = Distance between the center of rotation and the center of gravity of the pendulum arm, m

θ0 = Maximum angle of deflection on the pendulum frame from vertical after cutting the specimen, (deg)

θ = Maximum angle of deflection of the pendulum from vertical at the end of free swing, (deg)

Optimization of Variables

The selected levels of a variable have optimized, with respect to minimum specific cutting energy,
for modification of the cutting mechanisms of selected shredder. The quality of cut was done by selecting treatment
combination, as shown in Plate 1.

Modification of Cutting Mechanism of Shredder

The optimized value has been used, for modification of the cutting mechanisms of selected shredder. Hence, the
tractor had been chosen, as the prime mover for work and the modified Shredder. It has been proposed to mount on the rear
of the tractor, to complete the shredding operation. The schematic drawing of the tractor operated, modified Shredder and
internal components of shredder, as shown in Figure 1 and Plate 2. The technical specifications of tractor operated
modified shredder, as furnished in Table 1.

Table 1: Technical Specifications of Modified Shredder

SI. No Item Values
A Prime mover 45 hp tractor
B Over all dimensions (L×B×H), mm 1400 × 1340× 840
C Cutter blade
i. Type of cutter Rotary impact type
Ii Number of cutter blades 6
Iii Bevel angle of cutter blade, deg 25
Iv Shear angle of cutter blade, deg 0
v. Approach angle of cutter blade, deg 15
Vi Thickness of cutter blade, mm 10
Vii Rotary speed of cutter blade m s-1 27.8
viii Forward speed of operation km h-1 2
D Type of power drive PTO

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Performance Evaluation and Modification of Shredder Cutting Mechanism 231

E Power transmission for cuter blade Through gear box

Plated 1: A = Impact Type Pendulum Test Rig, B Indicates Improper Cut and
Indicates Proper Cut by Selected Treatment Combination

Plate 2: Internal Components of Modified Shredder (A= Cutting Knife, B= Circular

Disc C= Bush, Nut and Bolt D= Cutting Knife Assembly

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232 N. Sridhar & A. Surendrakumar

Figure 1: Modified Shredder Based on Optimized Values

Components of Shredding Assembly

Figure 2: Blade Assembly of prototype

Performance Evaluation of Modified Tractor Operated Shredder

The modified tractor operated shredder was evaluated in actual field condition, in terms of shredding
efficiency, field capacity and cost of operation. After the completion of shredding, the sample had been collected
randomly, in shredded field. The collected samples have been measured by different scale level (referred to Luis et.al,
1993; Church 1991) , according to their length viz., 0 -5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-15 cm, 15- 20 cm, >20 cm, respectively.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The three replications were taken from a different cross sectional area of cotton stem. The dial showed the
indicated angle, for cutting cotton stem and corresponding cutting energy were calculated, using a formula.

Effect of Approach Angle of Cutter Blade (φ) on Specific Cutting Energy

The effect of approach angle (φ) of cutter blade, on specific cutting energy at 0 deg (θ1), 15 deg (θ1) and 30 deg
(θ1) shear angle, with bevel angle and thickness (T) of cutter blade are shown in Figure 2.

In general, increase in approach angle from 0 (φ1) to 15 (φ2) deg, reduced the specific cutting energy, as well as
increase in approach angle up to 30 deg (φ 3), increased the specific cutting energy of cuter blade, respectively. When the
cutter blade approach angle was higher at 30 deg (φ3), sliding of cutter blade occurred, which in turn reduced the impact
effect of the blade and hence, higher specific cutting energy is required. The cutter blade with 15 deg (φ2) approach angle,
yielded minimum specific cutting energy for selected levels of shear angle, bevel angle with 6 (T1),8 (T2) and 10 mm (T3)
thickness of the cutter blades. This is in close agreement with the results, reported by El-Sahar 1988 and Sumner et.al
1984a.

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Performance Evaluation and Modification of Shredder Cutting Mechanism 233

Effect of Shear Angle of Cutter Blade (θ) on Specific Cutting Energy

The effect of shear angle (θ) deg, bevel angle (α) deg and thickness (T) mm, of cutter blade on specific cutting
energy at 0 (φ1) deg, 15 (φ2) deg and 30 (φ3) deg, approach angle is shown in Figure 3.

It is inferred that, there was a reduction of specific cutting energy, with increase in shear angle from 0 deg (θ1) to
15 deg (θ2). Increase in shear angle from 0 (θ1) to 15 (θ2) deg of cutter blade, has led to a reduction of frictional force of
crop stem under impact and hence, reduced specific cutting energy (impact energy). Further increase of shear angle to 20
(θ 3) deg, resulted in an increasing of specific cutting energy, for bevel angle 23 (α1), 25 (α2), 28 (α3) and 30 (α4), with 6
(T1), 8 (T2) and 10 (T3) mm thickness of cutter blade, respectively. This might be due to the fact that, the plane of least
resistance coincides with optimal value of shear angle of 20 deg (θ3).

Effect of Blade Thickness on Specific Cutting Energy

The thickness of blade affects the specific cutting energy and shredding efficiency of the shredder (Bosoi et al.,
1990). The effect of shear angle (θ) deg, bevel angle (α) deg and approach angle (φ) deg of cutter blade, on specific cutting
energy, with respect to the thickness of cutter blade (T) mm is shown in Figure 4.

It is observed that, the cutting energy increases with increase in bevel angle (α) deg, approach angle (φ) deg and
shear angle (θ) deg but decreases with increase of the thickness of cutter blade (T) mm. Hence, the bevel angle, shear angle
and approach angle should be kept at minimum, with maximum thickness 10 mm (T3) of cutter blade resulted in minimum
specific cutting energy required for cutting the crop stem.

Figure 3(1): Effect of Approach Angle (φ) Deg of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at
0 Deg (θ1) Shear Angle with Respect to Bevel Angle (α) and Thickness of Cutter Blade (T)

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234 N. Sridhar & A. Surendrakumar

Figure 3(2): Effect of Approach Angle (φ) Deg of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at
15 Deg (θ2) Shear Angle, with Respect to Bevel Angle (α) and Thickness of Cutter Blade (T)

Figure 3(3): Effect of Approach angle (φ) Deg of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at
20 Deg (θ3) Shear Angle with Respect to Bevel Angle (α) and Thickness of Cutter Blade (T)

Figure 4(1): Effect of Shear Angle (θ) Deg of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at 0
Deg (φ1) Approach Angle with Respect to Bevel Angle (α) and Thickness of Cutter Blade from (T)

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9857 NAAS Rating: 4.13

Performance Evaluation and Modification of Shredder Cutting Mechanism 235

Figure 4(2): Effect of Shear Angle (θ) Deg of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at 15
Deg (φ2) Approach Angle with Respect to Bevel Angle (α) and Thickness of Cutter Blade from (T)

Figure 4(3): Effect of Shear Angle (θ) Deg of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at 30
Deg (φ2) Approach Angle, with Respect to Bevel Angle (α) and Thickness of Cutter Blade from (T)

Effect of Bevel Angle of Cutter Blade (α) on Specific Cutting Energy

Bevel angle significantly affects the specific reaction force and energy (Jelani et.al, 1999). The effect of shear
angle (θ), approach angle (φ) and thickness (T) of cutter blade on specific cutting energy, with respect to a bevel angle (α)
is shown in Figure 5.

In general, the force and energy required for cutting only increases, when the fineness exceeds a bevel angle of 30
deg. The most efficient fineness is at bevel angle of 24 deg, if any angle smaller than 24 deg resulted in rapid wear and
dulling of the blade (Chacellor, 1958). From the above observation, it shows that, there is no more variation of specific
cutting energy reduced, when the bevel angle increased from 23 (α1) to 25 deg (α2), but further increase of bevel angle
from 25 (α2) to 30 deg (α3) of cutter blade, resulted in increase of specific cutting energy with all selected levels of shear
angle, approach angle and thickness of cutter blade, respectively. The specific cutting energy was lower for bevel angle at
25 deg (α2) with 10 (T3) mm thicknesses of cutter blade, at all selected levels of shear angle (θ) and approach angle (φ).

Statistical Analysis of Specific Cutting Energy (SEC)

The statistical analysis of the data was performed, to assess the significance of the variables viz., thickness (T),

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236 N. Sridhar & A. Surendrakumar

bevel angle (α), shear angle (θ) and approach angle (φ) on specific cutting energy (SEC). The analysis of variance on SEC
is furnished in Table 2.

The result of ANOVA indicates that, there was a significant difference among the treatments. The individual
effect of the variables viz., thickness (T), approach angle (φ) shear angle (θ) deg and bevel angle (α) deg of cutter blade on
specific cutting energy (SEC) was significant, at 1 percent level of probability.

Table 2: ANOVA on Specific Cutting Energy

Sl. No SV DF SS MS F
1 Treatment 107 12134.81 113.40 6.45**
Bevel angle of cutting blade (α) 3 281.97 93.99 5.35 **
2 Thickness of blade (T) 2 1342.09 671.04 38.19**
3 Shear angle of cutting blade (θ) 2 2362.53 1181.27 67.24**
4 Approach angle of cutting blade (φ) 2 2986.14 1493.07 84.99**
5 α×T 6 856.59 142.76 8.13 **
6 α×θ 6 377.70 62.95 3.58 **
7 α×φ 6 153.03 25.50 1.45**
8 T× θ 4 365.62 91.40 5.2032 **
9 T× φ 4 53.69 13.42 0.76**
10 θ×φ 4 892.77 223.19 12.70 **
11 α × T× θ 12 266.91 22.24 1.26**
12 α × T× φ 12 396.19 33.01 1.87**
13 α×θ×φ 12 470.81 39.23 2.23**
14 T× θ × φ 8 330.83 41.35 2.35**
15 α × T× θ × φ 24 997.89 41.58 2.36 **
16 Err 214 3759.34 17.56
Total 428 28028.97
Cv = 1.82 per cent ** = Significant at 1 % level

Optimization of Levels of Variables with Impact Type Pendulum Test Rig

The selected levels of variables were optimized, for achieving the best performance of cutter blade, in terms of
minimum specific cutting energy with impact type pendulum test rig. The lowest mean value of specific cutting energy
with different combination of the selected levels of variable, is furnished in Table 3.

Table 3: Optimized Values of Variables for Different Treatment Combination

Treatment Combination Levels of Selected
Parameter Values
Variables
Specific cutting energy α2 × T3× θ1× φ 2 178.04 J

Hence, the treatment combination of α2 × T3× θ1× φ2 can be selected, as the optimized combination of selected
variable (specific cutting energy was 178.04 J) for designing a new shredder, or modification of the cutting mechanisms of
shredder.

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9857 NAAS Rating: 4.13

Performance Evaluation and Modification of Shredder Cutting Mechanism 237

Figure 5(1): Effect of Thickness of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at 0
Deg (θ1) Shear Angle with Respect to Bevel Angle (α) and Approach Angle 0 (φ)

Figure 5(2): Effect of Thickness of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at 15
Deg (θ2) Shear Angle with Respect to Bevel Angle (α) and Approach Angle 0 (φ)

Figure 5(3): Effect of Thickness of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at
20 Deg (θ3) Shear Angle with Respect to Bevel Angle (α) and Approach Angle 0 (φ)

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238 N. Sridhar & A. Surendrakumar

Figure 6(1): Effect of Bevel Angle (Α) Deg of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem At 6 mm
(T1) Thickness of Cutter Blade with Respect to Shear Angle (Θ) and Approach Angle 0 (Φ)

Figure 6(2): Effect of Bevel Angle (Α) Deg of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at
8 mm (T2) Thickness of Cutter Blade with Respect to Shear Angle (Θ) and Approach Angle 0 (Φ)

Figure 6(3): Effect of Bevel Angle Deg of Cutter Blade on Specific Cutting Energy for Cotton Stem at 10 mm (T3)
Thickness of Cutter Blade with Respect to Shear Angle (Θ) and Approach Angle 0 (Φ)

Performance Evaluation of Modified Shredder

Modified shredder was evaluated in cotton fields, with a forward speed of operation 2 to 5 km h-1 and the
peripheral velocity of cutter blade 28 m s-1, respectively. The observation on shredding efficiency, in terms of length of cut

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Performance Evaluation and Modification of Shredder Cutting Mechanism 239

of crop residues at different scale level (L1 to L5), was recorded during field evaluation. The view of the trial field, during
and after shredding operation are done, as shown in Plate 3

Plate 3: Field Experiments of Shredder with Selected Levels of Variables

The observation on shredding efficiency, field capacity and time consumed were observed during the evaluation.
The result of field evaluation of prototype tractor operated modified Shredder is furnished in Table 4.

Table 4: Result of Performance Evaluation of Modified Shredder

Sl. No Items Prototype
1 Location Farmer field, Coimbatore
2 Variety of cotton KC1
3 Diameter of cotton stem, mm 12 to 17
4 Moister content of cotton at the time of shredding d.b % 44.21
5 Operation cost Rs ha-1 2654.65
6 Time required to cover ha h-1 5.29
7 Width of operation, m 1.10
8 Number of un cut cotton stem in row 100 m length 2
9 Theoretical field capacity, ha h-1 0.24
10 Actual field capacity ha h-1 0.196
11 Field efficiency, % 81.66
12 Shredding efficiency, % 92

The length of cut of crop stem at different forward speed of operation from 2 to 5 km h-1 with a constant
peripheral velocity of cutter blade 28 m s-1 as shown in Figure 5.

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240 N. Sridhar & A. Surendrakumar

Figure 7: Length of Cut of Crop Stem at Different Forward Sped of Operation

The modified shredders resulted in 37.55 and 82 percent savings, in cost and time of operation, respectively, when
compared to conventional method of crop residue removing in agricultural field.

CONCLUSIONS

The following conclusions were obtained from the experiments:

• The lowest specific cutting energy 178.04 J was observed in treatment combination of 15 deg (φ2) approach angle,
0 deg (θ1) shear angle, 25 deg bevel angle (α2) with 10 mm (T3) thickness of cutter blade. This combination has
been selected, for modifying the cutting mechanism of shredder.

• The actual field capacity, theoretical field capacity, field efficiency and shredding efficiency of the modified
shredder were 0.24, 0.196 ha h-1, 81.66 and 92 percent observed, during the field evaluation.

• The modified shredder saves in 37.55 and 82 percent cost and time, when compared with conventional method of
crop residue removal.

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