Western Mindanao State University

College of Engineering and Technology

Mechanized Corn Seeder

Submitted to:
Dr. Roberto M. Sala
Engr. Rudito Jose Electron Y. Tabacug
Dr. Armando Arquiza
Engr. Darry Junsay
Engr. Janueber Garcia

Submitted by:

Molina, Seila

Fox, Gary Mitchel Jr.

Manlang, Maidylou G.

Itol, Eduardo F.

Camus, Keziah L.

Carumba, Trixy R.

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 ABSTRACT

Mechanized Corn Seeder is an attractive way for farmers to reduce

the time of planting corn seeds. By using this mechanized design to plant

corn seeds, there is a reduction in the required labor and a potential for

higher planting efficiency and accuracy. This is especially important in the

farming industry in the Philippines where traditional planting usually takes

much time and required extensive human labor. However, the cost of this

mechanism may be a little expensive, especially for small farmers. As a

result, potential benefits of Mechanized Corn Seeder are often not fully

realized.

The main objective of this study focuses on the modernization of

traditional planting, by developing a design that can help local farmers.

The developed design uses minimal manpower to allow the mechanism to

work. With the technique of planting by using the Mechanized Corn

seeder, the user not only is lessening the required time for planting, but is

also, lessening the physical work needed. This means that, unlike

traditional planting, the Mechanized Corn Seeder does not need much

movement from farmers other than pushing and directing it.

After substantial research, it shows that this study will be beneficial

and suitable to all corn farms in the long run. Mechanized Corn Seeder is

operated manually and reduces the work of farmers, increasing the

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efficiency of planting. This also reduces the problem encountered in

manual/traditional planting. The design of the mechanism allows the user

not to worry about the requirements needed in corn planting as it is

designed according to its function.

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 DEDICATION

This project study is wholeheartedly dedicated to our beloved

parents who have been our source of inspiration and strength, who

continually provide us their moral, spiritual, emotional and financial

support.

To our brothers, sisters, relatives, mentor, friends and classmates

who shared their words of advice and encouragement to finish this study

To future researchers who could use this study as their guide or

reference

And most of all, We dedicate this book to the Almighty God, the

source of knowledge and wisdom. All of these, we offer to you.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers wish to express their deepest gratitude and

warmest appreciation to the following people, who, in any way have

contributed and inspired the researchers to the overall success of the

undertaking:

 The researchers are very grateful to God Almighty for without His

grace and blessings, this study would not have been possible.

 Immeasurable appreciation and gratitude to the following people

who in one way or another have contributed in making this study

possible.

 Dr. Roberto Sala, Dean of College of Engineering, for his full

support, encouragement and for giving us a long period of time to

complete this manuscript.

 Engr. RJ Electron Tabacug, Department of Mechanical

Engineering Head, for his sincere and valuable guidance, checking

our output and giving us advices, comments, unceasing support and

encouragement.

 Saivar Saipuddin for his time and effort in helping us with the

design of our machine.

 Ross Edmund Rivera for sharing his knowledge and recommending

us specific metals to be used in the fabrication of our machine.

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 The panel members during our title defense who manifested their

distinguished skills and talents in their own fields as seen in their

way of giving advices and ideas shared.

 Our sense of gratitude to all who have lent their helping hand in

this venture.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

1.1. Background of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

1.2. Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

1.3. Statement of the problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.4. Scope and Limitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.5. Significance of the study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2. Review of Related Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3. Research Design and Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

4. Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

5. Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..28

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Variety of Seeder

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Seed Planter (Traux and Zoubek)

Figure 1.1. Parts of Seed Planter (Traux and Zoubek)

Figure 2. Mild steel sheet wheels

Figure 3. The Machines Heart (contains the seeds)

Figure 4. Seed container

Figure 5. The fillet disk (gear)

Figure 6. Furrow Opener

Figure 8. Finger Gear

Figure 9. (a) Shaft and Handle (b) Roller

Figure 10. Perspectives

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A: Budget And Time Table

Appendix B: Schedule Of Activities

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 INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the study

In spite of growing urbanization and industrialization in the world,

nearly thirty percent working population still engaged in agriculture in the

Philippines. Agriculture is of vital importance for a growing economy like

the Philippines (Habito and Briones, 2015). Agriculture is the backbone of

food security. It is impossible to imagine an economy without agriculture.

With production there is consumption, in an economy like the Philippines

food production time is important. Mechanization in agriculture is one of

the key for increasing the production by decreasing timely plant process,

reducing losses and manual labor. The major problems that farmers face

are the long plant process and disadvantage in equipment.

The basic aim of agriculture especially in the Philippines is to help

the farmers raise stronger and fruitful crops and plants. Agricultural

technology is the key to raise the source of farmer’s income. Planting

process includes the preparation of soil, choosing of seed and planting.

The long process of planting causes an increase in cost, manual labor and

production time. In the past years, the development of mechanized

planting in the Philippines has not been able to take an advanced

improvement. With the proper knowledge on mechanical advancement, the

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researchers took it as a chance to greatly improve the equipment to help

the farmers.

Also the researchers will provide a mechanized seeder to satisfy the

needs of users. Thus, the machine will be able to provide comforting use

for farmers to plant.

B. Objectives

 The primary objective of this study is for farmers to have a

fast and accurate planting process.

 This study is intended to improve the patented design of

seed planter.

 Previous mechanized seed planter designs either used motor

to run or sensors to plant the seed. This new design will

provide a full mechanized process from preparing the soil to

planting the seeds to covering the seed and finally watering

it.

 With that, this study will provide a sense of comfort to

farmers or users. The researchers aim to lessen the planting

process time for farmers.

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C. Statement of the problem

The main objective of the study is to determine the feasibility of

creating and redesigning a mechanized corn seeder.

Specifically it aims to answer the following questions:

1. Is the redesigned seed planter able to solve the problems of

farmers during planting process?

2. Will the Zamboangueño Farmers be interested if the proposed

Machine is going to be available in the market?

D. Scope and Limitations

This study will focus on the amount of time for the planting

process by the mechanized corn seeder. The study limits on the

experimentation. The researchers plan to perform the experiment in an

open area that is located in Zamboanga City to see its capacity and ability

to plant corn seeds. The hole in the hill-drop design is 0.4 inch, designed

specifically for corn seeds. One revolution of the design is equal to 2 drops

of 3 corn seeds. The design is not applicable to wetland and hard or very

dry soils. The design applies to Loam soils best.

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E. Significance of the study

The Philippines is considered to be one of the most bio diverse

areas in the world and agricultural sector counts for about two-thirds of the

country’s employment. Agriculture work is hard work. From the public’s

point of view the farm labor problem seems to consist of a labor supply to

limited as to restrict production and extend planting time. This study aims

to minimize exploitation among agricultural workers by improving

planting conditions, introducing seed planter especially to small scale

farmers to minimize planting time.

A seed planter is a device that sows the seed for crops by

positioning them in the soil and burying them to a specific depth. This

ensures that seeds will be distributed evenly. The use of seed planter can

improve the ratio of crop yield and saves time and labor.

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 Review of Related Literature

The seed planters consist of a frame that includes frame section and a

furrowing disk section. A linkage connects the main frame section and the

furrowing disk section, and a motor is used to move the furrowing disk

section with respect to the main frame section. The linkage allows the

furrowing disk frame to move to a low position for no-till planting and

move to a high position for tilled planting (Traux & Zoubek, 2016).

Others may comprise a frame, a rock shaft and a compliance bar. A

set of torsion joints is placed about the rock shaft. A motor rotates the rock

shaft to move the planter assemblies in a raised position with their yokes in

contact with the compliance bar for transporting or moving it in a low

position for planting (Traux & Zoubek, 2016).

Figure 1. Seed Planter (Traux and Zoubek)

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Figure 1.1. Parts of Seed Planter (Traux and Zoubek)

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 A mechanical engineering graduate invented “Mechanical Corn

Planter”. The machine is operated manually to help farmers’ plant corn in

an efficient and convenient way. The custom way of planting corn is by

using a furrowing tool that is pulled by a carabao to make rows on the

ground. The farmer will then drop the seeds and cover them with soil using

his feet (Ruiz, 2016).

The machine lets the farmer plant with ease. First, the farmer needs

to push the handle downward, this will result a depth in the soil, then the

handle must be pulled, causing the wheels to rotate and the seed

containers, it will help the seed to fall in the right distance within the rows.

Lastly, the furrower functions to cover the seeds with soil. The device was

designed, so that farmers can use it easily. When malfunction occurs, the

device can be disassembled and that part can be replaced easily (Ruiz,

2016).

“Design & implementation of Seed Sowing Machine” A field is

initially prepared with a plough to a series of linear cuts known as furrows.

The field is then seeded by throwing the seed over the field, a method

known as broadcasting. When the seeds are satisfied randomly with the

help of hand on the soil, the method is called broadcasting (Marode, 2018).

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Table 1. Variety of Seeder

Table 1 shows the data on different seeder from different company

with their specifications and functions.

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 The present review provides brief information about various types

of innovations done in seed sowing equipment. The basic objective is this

operation is to pot seed in rows at desired and seed to seed spacing, cover

the seeds with soil and provide proper compaction over the seed. In this

multipurpose machine consists of cylindrical shape container in which the

seeds can fill. The container is attached on the carrier assembly. It consists

of metering the plate bevel gear mechanism and two holes at the bottom

depending on seed size. Drill sowing and dribbling (making small holes in

the ground for speeds) are better method of sowing seeds. Once the seeds

are put in the holes, they are then covered with the soil to prevent the

damage of seeds by birds. Another method of sowing seeds is with the

help of a simple device consisting of bamboo lobe with a funnel on it

attached to a plunge (Ramesh, 2014).

This research paper presents design and development of manually

operated seed planter machine. In this the researchers presents an objective

of seed planter machine design. The objective of this operation is to put the

seed in rows at desired depth and seed to seed spacing, cover the seeds

with soil and provide proper compaction over the seed. The recommended

seed to seed spacing and depth of seed placement vary from crop to crop.

The mechanical factors effects on seed germination like uniformity of

depth of placement of the seeds. The working as machine is pushed; power

wheel is rotating which transmit power to plunger through chain and

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sprocket mechanism. Cam is mounted on sprocket shafts which push the

plunger towards downward direction. One plunger is penetrated in soil and

during backward stroke flapper is opened so seed get separated from

plunger (Kyada & Patel, 2014).

Tractor mounted row seeders (usually single and multiple row).

Normally it required a well prepared seed-bed which may be ridged or flat

bed. In the past, various types of design have been developed with

different approaches which have their advantages and disadvantages and

also operation a limitation (Adisa & Braid, 2012)

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 Methodology

A. General Procedure

The researchers used the data of planting corn to come up with all

the following computations. The researchers mainly used the distance of

one corn to another corn to use as basis for the sizes of materials. There

will be three (3) seeds in one (1) drop, and each drop should be twenty-

four (24) inches apart (Silver, 2019). Considering the given data, the

researchers will assume the circumference of the mechanism for better

efficiency. The circumference of the mechanism is 48 inches (divisible by

24 inches).

Figure 2. Mild steel sheet wheels

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 This study will use mild steel for the two wheels. The wheels are

12 inches in diameter with 12 fin like paddles in each wheel. By

computing the circumference of the rim which is 37.699 in, 12 fins were

assumed.

Figure 3. The Machines Heart (contains the seeds)

There are 24 fin-mild steel in total; between the two wheels is a container

where the seeds are placed. The container which is smaller than the two

wheels in terms of diameter. The assumed circumference of the container

is 32 in. and the diameter of the container is 10.186 in., the material of the

material is a mild steel sheet. The two wheels and the container are

attached by medium carbon alloy steel containing such elements as nickel,

chromium and molybdenum, which is the not moving rod.

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Figure 4. Seed container

Figure 5. The fillet disk (gear)

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 The container contains the seeds which will then flow through the

gear, which will individually be separated by a gear into three. At the

bottom center of the container is the hill drop, where the seeds will come

out. According to the research outcome the distance for planting the corn

is about 4 to 6 inches. Since the circumference for the container is 32

inches which is divided by the distance of the seed, there will be 2 drops of

seeds per revolution and is equivalent to six seeds.

Figure 6. Furrow Opener

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Figure 7. Furrow Closer

Figure 8. Finger Gea

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 At the front of the container, attached is a rod with two finger

wheel type gear at the other end. With each gear slightly inclined at a

certain angle. At the back of the two wheels is a roller to compact the soil

for covering the seed. At the back of the finger type gear is a furrow

opener. Attached to the outer layer of the roller is the pin for the pump.

Using the circumference of addendum for the roller, 12.5 % of 32 inches

circumference of container is equal to 4 inches. Getting 12.5 % from the

circumference of the rim (wheel) is equal to 4.7125 in. which is equal to

the circumference of the roller.

Figure 9. (a) Shaft and Handle (b) Roller

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Figure 10. Perspectives

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 REFERENCE LIST

Journal

Karim, M. F, M. Alam, M. R. Ali, and O. Kozan. 2014. Design and

development of a drum seeder with urea supergranule

application for rural farmers in Bangladesh. Agricultural

Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 17(3): 61–71.

Tumpa Rani Sarker, Murshed Alam, Md. Rostom Ali*, Chayan

Kumer Saha, Md. Ashraful Haque (Department of Farm Power

and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-

2202, Bangladesh)

Rabbani, M. A., Hossain, M. M., Asha, J. F. & Khan, N. A. (2016).

Design and development of a low cost planter for maize

establishment. Journal of Science, Technology and Environment

Informatics, 04(01), 270-279.

A. Gbabo, Design and construction of a two-row cowpea and

maize planter. Maintenance and Repair Unit, Agricultural

Engineering Section, National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi

1988. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-

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 JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 8, Issue

10 Ver. II (Oct. 2015), PP 147-158.

Book

Ajit K. Srivastava et. al. 2012. Engineering Principles of

Agricultural Machines. Second Edition. American Society of

Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

D. N. Sharma and S. Mukesh. 2010. Farm Machinery Design

Principles and Problems. Second Edition. Pusa Agri-Book Service,

IARI, New Delhi.Pusa Agri-Book Service, IARI, New Delhi.

7/11/2018 46

Ani, O. A., B. B. Uzoejinwa and N. F. Anochili (2016)

design, construction and evaluation of a vertical plate maize seed

planter for gardens and small holder farmers. Nigerian Journal of

Technology (NIJOTECH) Vol. 35, No. 3, July 2016, pp. 647 –

655.

Internet Source

Maize,http://old.iita.org/cms/details/maize_project_details.aspx?zoneid=

63&articleid=273, 18/4/2014.

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 APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: BUDGET AND TIME TABLE

BUDGET

MATERIAL COST

Regular Steel Pipe (Stainless) 304L ₱ 330 per 3kg

Pig Iron ₱ 90 per 3kg

Regular Steel ₱ 300 per 3kg

Carbon Steel ₱ 70 per kg

Mild Steel Sheet ₱ 112 per 2kg

Stainless Steel (304) ₱ 500 per 2kg

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 ₱ 440 per 4kg
Regular Steel Pipe

SUBTOTAL ₱ 1, 842.00

Others Cost (PHP)

Transportation Fee ₱300.00

Computer and Personal Cost

Subtotal ₱ 700.00

Report Reproduction Cost (PHP)

Printing of Paper ₱ 40.00

Printing of Blueprint ₱ 180.00

TOTAL ₱ 220.00

APPENDIX B: SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Activities Time Frame (in days)

A. Planning Stage

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 Choosing of the Study 7

Gather Information 10

Subtotal 17

B. Implementation Stage

Combining Data 40

Encoding 5

Subtotal 45

C. Survey Stage

Inquiry on machine shops 7

Subtotal 7

D. Analysis Stage

Analyze Data 7

Analyze the Research Report 4

Subtotal 11

E. Reporting Stage

Present findings at conference 1 day

TOTAL 81

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