Analysis of Four-Bar Linkage Mechanism of a Power Tiller Operated 8-Row Rice Transplanter

Abstract

Four-bar linkage mechanism of a power tiller operated 8-row rice transplanter was analyzed. Position analysis, velocity analysis and acceleration analysis were done from both analytical as well as graphical methods. The acceleration and velocity of transplanting finger of a power tiller operated 8-row rice transplanter at different crank angles were evaluated. Different equations were derived to find the angle of coupler with the horizontal, angle of follower with the horizontal and velocity and acceleration of transplanting finger at different positions of the crank. The maximum acceleration and velocity were found to be 3866.5 cms-2 and 280.32 cms-1 respectively, at 125 rev/min crank speed. The angle of fixed link with the horizontal was 37.410. Total distance travelled by the finger in the vertical direction was found to be 20.05 cm. From the analysis, it has been seen that at this much acceleration (3866.5 cms-2 ) and the angle of fixed link with the horizontal (37.410), the transplanting of rice seedlings was not proper.