Design and development of a double-row weeder for rice field: Eco-Friendly weed management solution.

Abstract

Agricultural mechanization and technology adoption are rapidly increasing in Bangladesh, particularly in the context of weed management in rice fields. This study addresses the pressing need for efficient and labour-saving methods by designing and developing a manually operated double-row weeder tailored to the specific conditions of Bangladesh. The weeder is designed to clean weeds between field rows, optimizing the weeding and mulching processes. The hypothesis guiding the design includes a line-to-line distance of 20 cm, a push-pull action, and an operating condition of 3~5 cm of standing water to soften the field. The weeder incorporates essential elements such as a skid/float, float holder, main body frame, rotor, axel, bush, rotor holder, rotor holder adjuster, handle, handle holder, handle height adjuster, handle arm, handle arm jointer, nut, bolt, and more. For fabrication of the weeder, MS sheet, MS pipe, MS flat bar, MS nut-bolt, and other materials were used. The weeder features four rotors with six blades in each drum, strategically positioned for optimal weed uprooting and burial. The precise 2 mm-thick float assembly, set at a 20° angle, ensures smooth operation. With an efficient field capacity of 0.037 ha/h, the weeder demonstrates a weeding efficiency of 76.88%. The weeder weight is 7.5 kg, which helps pulverize the topsoil and enhance soil aeration. The developed weeder holds excellent potential for farmers in Bangladesh, offering improved comfort and reduced labour in weeding and mulching operations.