Abstract

The total harvesting of Jowar requires two stages of cutting, one at the top for separating cobs and another at the bottom for fodder. The study aimed to determine the cutting force required for three Jowar (Sorghum officinarum) varieties at different combinations of blade parameters. The minimum value of force was observed at the combination of bevel angle 45°and rake angle 0° for the varieties CSV-20 (2.04 N) and CSV-23 (2.10 N); whereas, for the variety CSH-9 the minimum force (1.26 N) was measured at blade bevel angle 35° and blade rake angle 0°. Similarly minimum force of 1.86, 1.59 and 1.06 N for cutting the stalks of Jowar varieties CSV-20, CSV-23 and CSH-9, respectively were recorded at the combination of blade rake angle 0° and blade velocity 350 rpm. At a combined effect, minimum force was recorded at blade bevel angle 45o and blade velocity 350 rpm for all the three varieties selected.

Keywords: Blade parameters, Cutting force, Jowar stalks