DIRE DAWA UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

Design and Manufacturing of Semi-Automated Potato

Harvesting Machine

A Proposal submitted to School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in partial

fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical
Engineering

PREPARED BY:

1. KALANTENEH ALEMAYEHU…...........................DDU1001069
2. KALEAB TSEGAYE…………………………...…..DDU1001627
3. YAMLAK BELETE………………………………...DDU1001562

Advisor:- Hailemichael S.(MSc)

March,2022
Dire Dawa; Ethiopia
Table of Contents
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. II
LIST OF TABLE ........................................................................................................................ III
LIST OF FIGURE ...................................................................................................................... IV
1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. OVERVIEW OF THE HARVESTING MACHINE ............................................................................ 1
1.2. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION ........................................................................................ 1
1.3 CUSTOMER NEEDS ................................................................................................................... 4
1.4. CUSTOMER NEEDS FROM MARKET ......................................................................................... 4
1.5. PROBLEM STATEMENT ........................................................................................................... 4
1.6. OBJECTIVE............................................................................................................................. 5
1.6.1. General objective ........................................................................................................... 5
1.6.2. Specific objective .......................................................................................................... 5
1.7. METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................... 5
1.8. SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE PAPER .................................................................................. 7
1.9. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PAPER ................................................................................................. 7
2. LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................................... 8
3. BUDGET INQUIRY .............................................................................................................. 10
3.1 MATERIAL LIST ............................................................................................................... 10
4. WORK PLAN ...................................................................................................................... 11
4.1. WORK PLAN .................................................................................................................... 11

i
 Abstract

Potatoes are the agricultural commodities that have the potential to be developed in Ethiopia.
At harvest, Potatoes are the agricultural commodities that have the potential to be developed in
Ethiopia. The method used was very simple, just use the hoe. The farmers complaining for the
need so much work force for harvesting while the labor cost are getting increase, and the time
spend for harvesting process are too long. Even if there is a tool for foreign-made potato
harvesters are very expensive and not suited to the conditions of potato farming in Ethiopia. The
machine consist of the two main part, which are potatoes digger (scraper) to scrap potatoes from
the soil, potatoes elevator and separator (screener) used to separate potatoes from the soil.
This project focusing on the design of the digger harvester parts.The acting forces between
soil and potatoes in the process of harvesting by vibration loads are complicated. In order to study
theeffect of the exciting forces for the dynamic characteristics of potato conveying and
vibrationseparation system, taking potatoes with soil on them and equivalent viscoelastic material
as awhole, a mechanic model was establish for the potato conveying and separation
systemconsidering the sectional material forces between the potatoes, the soil and the shaker
chain inthe conveying, separating, crushing and screening process, and then analysis of the model
wasconduct by asymptotic method numerical integration.

ii
List of table

Table 1:-Table of budget inquiry ................................................................................................................ 10

T able 2:-Task Breakdown and Time Schedule .......................................................................................... 11

iii
List of figure
Figure 1:-Harvesting of potato using a garden fork ..................................................................................... 2
Figure 2:-Harvesting ware potato with an animal drawn digger .................................................................. 3
Figure 3:-Harvesting potato with tractor drawn digger ................................................................................ 3
Figure 4:-potato harvesting component ........................................................................................................ 8

iv
1. Introduction
1.1. Overview of the harvesting machine

Agriculture plays a dynamic role in Ethiopian economy. So any development in the

productivity related task help to escalation Ethiopian farmer’s status and economy. Although agro
industry is accreted of lingering peace. The sole culprit for slogging in pace of accretion (in agro
industry) is dependency on customary approaches and equipment. In Ethiopian, harvesting is
usually performed manually or semi mechanized, and share responsibility for the high cost of
production. In the semi-mechanized harvesting, diggers are used, coupled to a tractor, which
degrade the furrows and expose the tubers. Later, the collection is done manually by men or young
women who also carry out a preliminary selection field. However, self-propelled harvesters have
been used in advanced countries for potato culture. The trend toward mechanization of the total
harvest is related to the availability and cost of man-power.. They are larger machines, which
require elongated rows to avoid man oeuvres and frequent loss of time, which reduce the
operational capability of the machine. The process of mechanized harvesting of potatoes can
represent a great advance for the producing regions, mainly to optimize the production process,
with increased production area, faster removal of tubers from the ground when free risk of attack
from pests and diseases, and stronger compliance with delivery dates of production. However, the
decision to invest invariably involves risks, which must be provided when one decide to invest in
certain equipment.

1.2. Background and justification

Potato in Ethiopia is considered both a cash and food crop in the limited production areas. It
has the ability to lift citizens out of poverty. Despite its potential, intensification levels remain very
low in the potato subsector, translating into a very low yield. Farmers increase production by
expanding the land used to grow potatoes, not by intensifying their activity. This results into poor
quality yields and thus losses in income at the household level. The causes of post-harvest losses
at storage include sugar buildup, decay, sprouting and greening. Harvesting methods being used
are manual harvesting (traditional harvesting) and mechanical harvesting. [1]

1
 Potato harvesting using hand hoes/sticks:-Hand hoe harvesting should not be used
because it will result into more damaged tubers, takes a lot of time and many tubers are left
underground. A better tool to use, if other options are too costly is, the garden fork which causes
less damage to tubers than the hand hoe. This approach should only be used initially for sections
with high bacterial wilt incidence to avoid mixing potentially diseased potato with healthy potato
at the end of harvesting exercise. These tubers should be packed separately and taken for
immediate consumption. [1]

Figure 1:-Harvesting of potato using a garden fork [1]

Potato harvesting using animal drawn digger:-The rationale for using oxen drawn tools
for cultivation and transportation is that it increases agricultural work output, reduces drudgery
and improves life in rural areas. Compared to other means of modem agricultural production,
animal traction is the one that a smallholder can think of eventually possessing. Potato producers
can use the animal drawn potato digger to harvest potatoes on large scale. These diggers are
pulled by a pair or two of oxen, driven through the field to expose the tubers on top of the ridges
for ease of picking. Less human labor than hand hoe harvesting is needed for this harvesting
method. The animal drawn digger is faster and results into less damage and also exposes more

2
of the tubers in a field. Locally a producer should use plough frames on the farm, modified by
removal of the mold board and replacing with a forked end. [1]

Figure 2:-Harvesting ware potato with an animal drawn digger [1]

Potato harvesting using tractor drawn digger:-The tractor drawn digger comes in a
variation of single or double rows. These are attached to the three point linkage of a small tractor
and then connected via a shaft to the digger set. The potato digger unit should be aligned along
the ridge and adjusted to cut at base of the ridge. The speed of the shaker should also be adjusted
via the tractor's power take-off (PTO) such that it gently shakes off the soil and delivers the
tubers on top of the ridge (Figure 3). The tractor should be aligned such that the tires run along
the furrow to avoid compression damage of the tubers. The tubers are then picked up by hand
and placed in a collection bin for transportation to the storage yard. This system is much faster,
more efficient and less damaging to the tubers compared to animal drawn digger. [1]

Figure 3:-Harvesting potato with tractor drawn digger [1]

3
1.3 customer needs
 They need a machine which in a cheap price.
 Harvest in short time
 Easy to operate
 Easy to maintenance
 Long service life time
 Comfortable
 They need warranty as well as guaranty
 They need strong enough machine to operate its function for predefined time
 It should be suitable to environment condition

1.4. Customer needs from market

 Harvesting machines are too expensive. So, the farmer cannot buy the machine.
 Harvesting machine and their spare spear parts are mostly not available throughout our
country.
 Most machines are complicated to operate. So, they need skilled operator
 Difficult to maintain due to the absence of maintenance place

1.5. Problem statement

Most Ethiopian farmers or potato diggers use their hands and small dibber to harvest wide area
of farm. Actually there are different modern types of potato harvesting machines which can harvest
wide area of farm within few hours but due to their high cost and as they requires skilled operator
our farmers could not afford those lovely machines. All in all, harvesting with hands is a
heartbreaking operation in our country.

Dark visions of harvesting with hand are

Consuming much time

Loosens the ability and motivation of diggers
Decreases quality of potato
Exposes to safety hazard for diggers

4
1.6. Objective

1.6.1. General objective

To design and manufacturing of semi-automated potato harvesting machine.

1.6.2. Specific objective

To design detail parts of semi-automated potato harvesting machine.
To modify the existing semi-automated machine
To make 3D model of the machine.
To fabricate the machine components (its assembly).

1.7. Methodology
In order to do this final project, we are required to refer different books which are related and
useful in designing this project. The other sources that we used include several different sources
from the web, like Google, Wikipedia, and many other web pages. The consultation of our advisor
was also the basic source of knowledge for the accomplishment of this project. Also we used
different software to design the 2D and 3D drawings, for analysis of the effect of stresses on parts
of the designed machine and also for solving complex equations. Among the software we used are
CATIA, AutoCAD, SOLID WORK and others.

5
Materials to be used
The materials to be used to accomplish this research are software like, SOLIDWORK and
measuring instruments like meter; mobile, stationary materials, Personal computer, books and
Journals.

Methodology used
In order to achieve the aim and objectives of this study the following data sources and
methods of data collection will be used. These data sources are primary and secondary data
sources.
Primary data
In order to achieve the required objective we use the following primary data Observation
and Oral interview.

Secondary data
In order to obtain relevant information for this proposal work different written materials is
going to be used especially in the literature review section and previous worked projects.

6
Working principle of a machine

General working principle

Potato harvesters are machines that harvest potatoes. They work by lifting the potatoes from
the bed using a share. Soil and crop are transferred onto a series of webs where the loose soil is
sieved out. The potatoes are moved towards the back of the harvester on to a separation unit and
then to a picking table where people pick out the stones, clods, and haulms by hand. The potatoes
then go on to a side elevator and into a trailer or a potato box.

1.8. Scope and limitation of the paper

Our design contains detail design and analysis of semi-automated potato harvesting machine. In
doing the potato harvesting machine we are not design the tractor entire component but according
to power required for operation we only select the suitable tractor type.

Designing components of the semi-automated potato harvesting machine:

 Designing the frame structure & component of the machine

 The Load, force and stress analysis

 Testing components
 Manufacturing process
 Test the machine performance or efficiency in the filed / work shop

1.9. Significance

Our project mainly helps farmer by increasing productivity, reduce labor cost, reduce harvesting
time and to protect from unseasonably rain and insect. So, findings of this project will redound to
the benefit of our country farmer which have a great demand to get high product from farm work.
The project is concerning in adaptive design of the harvesting with some new improvement of
mechanism. So, it has great efficiency and the project is also significant to other students.

7
2. Literature review

Its deals with research work done in past by various investigation on the performance, the
mechanization of harvesting operation is essential to minimize the cost of harvesting, potato loss,
turnaround time, weather risk, and to increase benefit by appropriate technology. Potato harvesting
is the important part in agricultural mechanization; it is the process of collecting the mature potato
from the ground. Harvesting operation includes Dehaulming, digging, separating, gathering, and
stacking the potato. Harvesting methods being used traditional and mechanical harvesting. And
also deals about Product development generic design process steps for potato harvesting machine,
planning, concept development, system-level design, detail design, testing and refinement and
product ramp up, in this step it’s define the material properties according to the design.

Two wheel tractor mounted harvesting machine

Consists of digging blade, chain conveyor, protecting body, chain drive and two wheel
The digger was designed for harvesting potato crops by lifting the soil and potato from the
field with the help of a digging unit and subsequently transferring them onto a separating
unit where potatoes were separated from the soil through mechanical agitation. During
harvesting, the damage to the tuber should be minimum. The clean potatoes were finally
windrowed to the rear, which later were picked up manually. Digger must make the potato
damage in terms of lifting, scuffed and peeler tubers as low as possible. The potato should
be dug up from the field in such a way that the minimum volume of soil is removed without
causing any damage to the tuber. [2]

Figure 4:-potato harvesting component

8
Gaps faced on the existing technology/machine

It has no guide wheel, this lead the soil to be dispersed axially from the digging blade.
It has no hopper, so the potato lay on the ground.
Its toothed blade can be injured easily when it strikes by stone.
Do not operate unless connected to a tractor.

9
 3. Budget Inquiry
3.1 Material list
Table 1:-Table of budget inquiry

Material list
qty
S.NO Material Descriptions Unit cost Total Dimension
name cost
( in birr)
(Birr)
6.5 hp engine This engine is LOCAL brand, petrol engine 9000 1 9000 -
1
with a stroke, single cylinder, petrol engine
with a 6.5hp capacity.
Sheet metal Is one of the fundamental forms used in 1600 1 1600
2
metalworking, and it can be cut and bent in
to a variety of shapes.
Bolt and nut A bolt is a type of fastener which is used to 300 - 300 -
3
join two part together. Nuts are also used on
the bolt to make the fastening process more
effective.
Screw A screw is an externally threaded fastener 100 - 100 -
4
capable of being inserted into holes in
assembled parts,
Roller chain This type of chain is used on bicycles and is 800 1 800 8mm ×3mm
5
adaptable to many other needs, from small-
strand
Gear A gear is a wheel with teeth that engage 650 2 1300 -
6
with the teeth of another wheel in order to
change the speed or direction of transmitted
rotational motion.
Belt Used as a source of motion, to transmit 200 1 200 8mm ×3mm
7
power efficiently or to track relative
movement.

Rebar known as reinforcement steel and 1500 1 1500 12mm ×3mm

8
reinforcing steel
9 TOTAL COST 14800 birr

10
4. Work plan
4.1. Work plan

The schedule of the future work is shown below in the following table:
T able 2:-Task Breakdown and Time Schedule

Month (2022 E.G)

S.NO Activities
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 Collecting data from

primary source
3 Literature review
3 Concept Development
4 Design and Analysis of each
components
5 Select the standard
components
6
Fabricate each components

7 Assemble the machine

components

8 Progress report

9 Final Thesis Submission

11
References

[1] Wasukira, A.; Walimbwa, K.; Wobibi, S.; Owere, L.; Naziri, D.; Parker, M., "Ware potato harvesting
and storage techniques: guidelines for harvesting and storage management of ware potato.," 2017.

[2] w. university, "design of tractor mounted potato harvesting machine," 2012.

12