Optimization of mechanized harvesting of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)

Abstract

Intensive production of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is the kind of production in which all technological processes of growing and processing chamomile can be carried out by mechanized agricultural resources in an optimal way and with a rational energy consumption. Topic of research in this doctoral dissertation is mechanized process of harvesting chamomile. This research was conducted in order to acquire new knowledge and to propose the improvement and innovation of new technical solutions. For future technical solutions of chamomile harvesters, there is a need to improve picking device, provide a hydraulic adjustment of the position and the working mode of picking devices, increase the volume of the harvester storage, include hydraulic emptying of harvester storage, provide a guidance system of a harvester, optimize the required and used power of a harvester engine, setup and manage harvesting process from the harvester cabin, and make a general modernization and automation.