This document provides details about the design and fabrication of a plastic mulching machine for agricultural applications. It was created by a group of 4 students under the guidance of Prof. B. G. Koujalagi. The document includes sections on the introduction, literature survey, objectives, working principle, methodology, work done so far, and references. The objectives are to develop an automated machine that can lay mulch film without the need for a tractor to reduce labor and increase production. The proposed design uses solar panels to power electric motors that move the machine and lay the plastic mulch. Calculations are provided on the machine's components, required torque, battery power needs, and estimated cost.

1. KLE Dr. M. S. Sheshgiri College of
Engineering and Technology, Belagavi
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Department of Mechanical Engineering
Design and Fabrication of Plastic Mulching Machine
For Agricultural Application
Project Batch – P06
1. Gajanan Hegade – 2KL19ME023
2. Naveen Ullegaddi – 2KL19ME044
3. Niranjan Kotagi – 2KL19ME048
4. Prajwal Tallur – 2KL19ME058
Under the Guidance of
Prof. B. G. Koujalagi

2. Content
• Introduction
• Literature Survey
• Objectives
• Working Principle
• Methodology followed during work (Flow chart)
• Work done so far
• References
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3. Introduction
• Mulching is the practice of covering the soil around plants to improve the growing
conditions for the crop.
• The result is that plastic mulch film is the primary choice for agricultural
applications. Plastic mulch film is widely used on high-value crops such as
Tomatoes, Melons, Cucumbers, Squash, Peppers, and Strawberries increasingly on
lower-value crops such as Corn and Ginger.
• For arable soils, the most effective conservation practices for reducing water loss
through surface evaporation are those that provide some degree of surface cover for
the soil.
• A cover can be best provided by mulches or by tillage practices that leave plant
residues on the soil surface.
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4. Literature Survey
• [Y. Ramadan]designed an advanced mulching paper laying machine, which can
lay the mulching paper on the beds of the soil as well as the drip pipe with it. This
system does not need more human labor, mulching paper reduces the wastage of
water and stops the growth of grass. Also in these method researchers uses some
mechanical means so that working time is reduced compared to the conventional
method.
• [Fanrong Meng]developed a machine that lays plastic mulch at the exact position
on the prepared plantation bed and secures it with soil. The laying of plastic mulch,
drip pipe, and hole punching will be done in one pass. The machine was developed
for the mulch width of one-meter length. Engine was used for the motion of the
machine. The chain drive mechanism was used for motion transmission from the
engine to the rear wheel setup.
• The problem identified in the survey is that all the mulching machines are done
manually or they connected to the tractor so we are doing an automated machine
which didn’t need a tractor and uses solar energy to work.
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5. Objectives
• To develop a machine that enhances the performance of
working in the farm.
• To develop a machine that reduces cycle time laying mulch
film.
• To minimize the production time.
• To increase the production rate.
• To reduce the capital cost.
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6. Working Principle
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• Solar panel converts solar energy into electrical energy this electrical energy is
stored in the battery.
• In this machine the motor gives power to the wheels to move on the ground.
• When the machine moves in a forward direction the mechanism is done so that
plastic is laid on the ground.
• The closer plate will drop the soil on the side of the plastic.

7. Methodology followed during project work
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Problem Identification
Literature study
Designing
Fabrication
Performance test

8. Plastic Mulching Machine
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9. Work done so far
• Mass of the angle= ρ *V
ρ= Density = 7850*10-9 Kg/mm3
V= Volume mm3
Volume = Length * Breadth * Width
Volume = 500*35*5+500*35*5
= 1,75,000mm3.
m= ρ *V= 7850*10-9 *1,75,000
m= 1.37Kg.
No of the angles = 6
The total mass of angles = 1.37*6 = 8.22 kg.
• Mass of Wheel support m= ρ*V
=7850*10-9 (*500*50*5)
= 0.98Kg.
No wheel support = 4
The total mass of wheel support = 0.98*4 = 3.92Kg = 4Kg.
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10. Work done so far
• Mass of Tube = m= ρ*V
m=7850*10-9 *(400*50*1.64*2+25+400+1.6*2)
m=0.75Kg
No of tubes =2
Total mass of tubes = 0.75*2 =1.5Kg.
• Mass of Long angle V= 35*5*1600*2
V= 5,60,000mm3
m= 7850*10-9*5,60,000
m= 4.39Kg.
No of the long angles =4.39*2 =8.79Kg.
• Battery weight = 3Kg
• Solar panel weight =1Kg
• Total weight =26Kg
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11. Work done so far
• It will be distributed on 4 wheels
= 26/4
= 6.5 kg on each wheel.
To convert it into N
=6.5*9.81
=63.76N.
• Torque T= F*r
T=63.76*300
T=22072.5Nmm.
• Shaft diameter T=Π /16 *d3 *σs
22072.5= Π/16*d3*86.25
d=18mm
Standard diameter =20mm.
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12. Work done so far
• From the literature survey
The tractor-operated plastic mulching machine’s speed is 203rpm.
Our model weight is very less than compared to the tractor so we are taking 70%
less than that
N=60rpm
Power P= 2ΠNT/60,000
P= 2Π*60*22,072.5/60,000
P= 138.6W
• Battery capacity = 12V * 7A =84W(2 batteries)
• = 2*84
=168
= 168/138.6
= 72 mins.
The plastic mulching machine can run 72 min.
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13. Cost estimation
SL NO Particulars Cost Rs
1 L angle 1,500
2 Battery 1600
3 Motor 3,000
4 Solar panel 1,000
5 Wheels 2,000
6 Shaft 800
7 Bush 150
8 Fasteners 300
9 Bearing 500
10 Chain 200
11 Other attachments 3,000
Total Cost 14,050
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14. References
• DEVELOPMENT OF A PLASTICMULCHING MACHINE. Y. Ramadan, M. M.
Moustafa and M.Cottb*
• Fanrong Meng1,2, Tinglu Fan3, Xiaomei Yang1,4, Michel Riksen1,Minggang Xu2
and Violette Geissen1 Soil Physics and Land Management, Wageningen University,
Wageningen
• Plastic MulchesDouglas C. SandersExtension Horticultural SpecialistDepartment of
Horticultural ScienceCollege of Agriculture & Life SciencesNorth Carolina State
University
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15. Thank You
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