Vol. 86, No. 6
Abstract
Development of System for Real-Time Detection of Wind-Winnowing Quality
[Keywords: combine, electrification, wind winnow, quality of winnowing, anomaly detection]
Combined harvesters are expected to enhance versatility by diversifying target crops. Using an independent motor-driven, stepless speed-change mechanism for each work section, as a countermeasure, enables fine adjustments. An algorithm was developed previously to determine the accuracy of wind sorting by detecting changes in grain volume based on the load current of a wind-winnowing fan. In this study, a system that detects changes in the grain flow rate and determines the correct or incorrect wind-sorting accuracy, which fluctuates in real time, is developed based on this algorithm. The accuracy of the system is evaluated using multiple test data with different amounts and rates of change in the grain flow rate.
Investigating the Development of Pre and Postharvest Technology for Strawberry Exports based on Carbon-dioxide Emissions
[Keywords: strawberry, export, food loss and waste, CO2 emission, shipping, cultivar season]
A life cycle assessment for strawberry exports from Japan to Malaysia or China was conducted to investigate the development of related pre-and postharvest technology. Export method, food loss and waste rate, and cultivation season were the variables in the analysis. The computed results were presented in terms of carbon-dioxide emissions, they showed that strawberries cultivated in March and April should be exported by shipping in appropriate packaging and at low temperatures to reduce food loss and waste. It is assumed that pre and postharvest technologies will be required for the successful long-term transportation of strawberries produced in March and April.
Automatic Mowing by an Electric Agricultural Machine＊
[Keywords: agricultural robot, global navigation satellite system, path planning, path-following control, electric consumption]
This study describes the development of an electric agricultural machine with an electric mower. We used different paths for mowing the weed using a global navigation satellite system. The machine was able to operate for ≥100 min, and mowing ≥15 a on a single charge. Furthermore, we measured the path following accuracy on different routes with and without lifting up/down the mower. As a result, the path in which the mower was lifted up/down and a right-angle turn was performed had the highest path following accuracy, with the RMSE of the lateral and directional deviations being 1.9 cm and 2.0°, respectively.
A Study on Static Pressure for Dairy Manure Composting with High Moisture Content
[Keywords: dairy manure, high moisture content, forced aeration, porosity, static pressure]