Preliminary Field Evaluation of Seeds Drilling Assisted by a Tractor with Autopilot System

Abstract

Seed drilling is one of the steps in agricultural operations that always needs great attention as it will eventually affect crop production. In a mechanized seed drilling operation, the quality of operation is measured by how precise the seeds or seedlings were planted in the rows. This study was conducted to evaluate a tractor trailed by a tractor equipped with an autopilot system that functions to drive the tractor with a hands-free driving system. This machinery system was tested to plan corn seed on tilled dry soil. The tractor's operating speeds were set at three levels, i.e., 3.4, 4.2, and 5.5 km/hr. The effects of the different speeds were investigated towards numbers of seeds per hole, plants distance, and seedlings damage. Field capacity and average heart rate of tractor operator while conducting the operation were also measured. The findings showed significant differences between three operating speeds towards the number of seeds per hole and field capacity. Also, the observation showed that the operating speeds and field capacity have a close relationship, and the operating speeds with an average heart rate of an operator. The operating speed of 5.5 km/hr was the best for better work productivity, while the operating speed of 3.4 km/hr was highly recommended if seeds use efficiency become a preference. Generally, this study has successfully given introductory exploration for a tractor's potential usage with an autopilot system in seeds drilling operation for Malaysia's cash crop.