Abstract:
The process of agriculture is being improved with the application of new machinery and technology. In the
beginning, the traditional method of ploughing the field with buffaloes was replaced with two-wheel
tractors and now with heavy four-wheel tractors. Tilling the soil with rotary blade assembly attached to a
four-wheel tractor is the popular method among the farmers due to its high productivity. If the dynamic
balance of the assembly is not properly done during the manufacture, farmers will have to experience
mechanical efficiency related issues due to the excessive vibrations that builds up beyond the recommended
levels. Intense vibrations can cause operator fatigue, high fuel consumption, and excessive component wear
shortening the life-time of the equipment. Experiments which were carried out during this study have shown
that the imported tillers are not acceptably vibration free as they should be. Due to the lack of facilities and
expertise in rotor balancing, farmers doesn’t have a choice but to use these tillers. Using machinery with
excessive vibrations for a long period of time can cause both financial losses and health issues. This study
aims to examine the problem holistically and minimize the vibrations through a method affordable to the
local farming community. The results of the study can assist manufacturers to consider making tillers with
good dynamic balance to reduce vibrations and associated problems. Secondly, local manufactures are
encouraged to produce replaceable blades that do not significantly affect the dynamic balancing. Thirdly,
the findings of this study can help to develop a method to check the dynamic balancing of the tiller unit
economically and effectively. This study explains the initial steps that has been taken to identify the problem
of tiller vibrations and the degree of effectiveness of the in situ dynamic balancing. The balancing trials had
reduced the entire vibration level by two folds indicating the initial imbalance. The needed sequence of
steps and further measurements are also planned to assure enhanced overall performance of the machine.
