Research in Agricultural Engineering, 2011 (vol. 57), issue 4
List of reviewers Index of volume 57
editors
Res. Agr. Eng., 2011, 57(4):I-II | DOI: 10.17221/4348-RAE 
The use of CAN-Bus messages of an agricultural tractor for monitoring its operation
J. Čupera, P. Sedlák
Res. Agr. Eng., 2011, 57(4):117-127 | DOI: 10.17221/20/2011-RAE
The development of electronic components in engine regulation leads to the possibility of obtaining a large amount of parameters of control processes. Nowadays, these data can be read in an easy way due to the properties of used networks. The data obtained from the data bus must be processed carefully; otherwise, there is a risk of erroneous results. The article presents the results of measurements performed on four tractors. We focused on comparing the fuel consumption of engines and the accuracy of flow measurement readings from the CAN-Bus of these tractors. Even the same engines may show considerable differences in fuel consumption, taken from...
A novel three-point hitch dynamometer to measure the draft requirement of mounted implements
M. Askari, M.H. Komarizade, A.M. Nikbakht, N. Nobakht, R.F. Teimourlou
Res. Agr. Eng., 2011, 57(4):128-136 | DOI: 10.17221/16/2011-RAE
An adjustable three-point hitch dynamometer with a draft capacity of 50 kN was developed to measure forces on the tractor and mounted implements. The design concept of the dynamometer was based on two linkage frames mounted between tractor links and the implement. The force sensing elements were comprised of a loadcell that was installed between the frames. The system provides variable width and height of the dynamometer links to satisfy a wide range of implement dimensions. All mounted tillage implements at categories II and III such as plows, cultivators and harrows were able to be tested by this dynamometer excluding mounted implements powered by...
Biogas composition depending on the type of plant biomass used
M. Herout, J. Malaťák, L. Kučera, T. Dlabaja
Res. Agr. Eng., 2011, 57(4):137-143 | DOI: 10.17221/41/2010-RAE
The aim of the work is to determine and analyse concentrations of individual biogas components according to the used raw materials based on plant biomass. The measurement is focused on biogas production depending on input raw materials like maize silage, grass haylage and rye grain. The total amount of plant biomass entering the fermenter during the measurement varies at around 40% w/w, the rest is liquid beef manure. The measured values are statistically evaluated and optimised for the subsequent effective operation of the biogas plant. A biogas plant operating on the principle of wet anaerobic fermentation process is used for the measurement. The...
Design and development of power operated banana slicer for small scale food processing industries
S.P. Sonawane, G.P. Sharma, A.C. Pandya
Res. Agr. Eng., 2011, 57(4):144-152 | DOI: 10.17221/35/2010-RAE
A power operated rotary banana slicer suitable for small scale processing was designed and developed based on engineering properties of banana varieties, namely Nendran and Dwarf Cavendish. This banana slicer mainly consists of feeders for round slicing, cutter, power transmission mechanism, base support and frame. The power operated rotary slicer with three blade cutter that was operating at 360 rpm speed was developed to overcome drawbacks of existing hand or power operated rotary slicers and to meet the demand of small scale processing industries. This slicer has slicing efficiency of about a 93-94% with effective capacity of about 100 kg/h for...
Influence of surface integrity on bonding process
M. Müller
Res. Agr. Eng., 2011, 57(4):153-162 | DOI: 10.17221/39/2010-RAE
Adhesive bonding technology is successfully applied partly in the primary production, partly in the renovation in various fields of human activities. This fact emphasizes the importance of the partial factors research, which influence is essential for the quality, reliability and necessarily the usable life of bonded joints. The mechanical preparation of bonded surface is a varied process which influences directly the resultant bonded joint quality. The aim of the bonded surface mechanical preparation is the adhesion improvement in the adhesive - adherend interface. For mechanical preparation we use tools of defined cutting edge, by means of which...