ISSN 3141-6632
A farmer's choice of farm equipment typically depends on the size of the farm and the types of crops cultivated. Therefore, the selection of agricultural machinery should be based on its anticipated performance, operational requirements, and associated costs. In selecting field machinery, one of the most important variables to consider is the size or capacity of the machine. This study developed and implemented an Implement Field Performance Simulator (IFPS) model using Python to evaluate the field performance of agricultural implements. The model considered four key performance parameters: total field time, theoretical field capacity, effective field capacity, and field efficiency. The simulation was conducted using implement widths of 1.0 m and 2.0 m at operational speeds of 4, 5, and 6 km/h. The model was developed, compiled, and tested to identify and correct errors. The results indicated that increasing operational speed and implement width reduced total field time and increased both theoretical and effective field capacities. However, field efficiency generally decreased as operational speed increased. The highest field efficiency of 85.5% was recorded for the 2.0 m implement operating at 4 km/h, while the lowest efficiency of 80.70% was recorded for the 1.0 m implement. The study concluded that implement width had a greater influence on effective field capacity than operational speed within the conditions investigated. Therefore, selecting an appropriate implement width is essential for improving field capacity and overall operational performance in agricultural mechanisation.
Keywords: Computer Simulation, IFPS Model, field time, Theoretical field capacity, Effective field capacity, Field Efficiency.