University of Southeastern Philippines

College of Agriculture and Related Sciences

Department of Agricultural Engineering
Tagum-Mabini Campus
Apokon, Tagum City

APM 143
Agricultural Mechanization and Management

Group Number :3 Date(s) Performed :

Name of Student(s) : Mark C. Angeles Date Submitted : April 6, 2016
Paolo Khryzz Sumagang
Jeric F. Bilita
Richard T. Gudin
Aljean Licaros

EXERCISE NO. 03

DRUM SEEDER

INTRODUCTION

The rice farmers practicing transplanting are facing problems of high cost of cultivation,

less plant population, less tillers per plant, low yields, and high weed population. To tackle all

these problems direct seeding of rice has been found most appropriate alternative. Direct

seeding is becoming increasingly popular now days in India. Direct seeding is of two types

broadcasting and row seeding by using drum seeder.

A drum seeder is planting apparatus used for pre-germinated rice seeds for wet fields.

The advantage of drum seeder is that row to row spacing can be easily maintained and

dropping of seeds in hills is possible. Drum seeder is an effective mean for timely sowing of rice.

Also direct seeded rice may mature 7 to 10 days earlier than transplanted rice (Subbaiah et. al.

2002) It habits a simple metering scheme in which the perforations on the periphery at both

ends of the drum hopper meter the seeds. As the machine is pulled, the drum hopper driven by

a ground wheel rotates, as it rotates, seeds drop from the holes to the ground in rows. Seeds

are placed on the surface or at a few centimeters under the soil.

 A laboratory performance test of a drum seeder was conducted in this exercise using dry

test and wetted rice seed done separately. This test is carried out to determine the performance

of metering mechanism, the outcomes of which can offer the data for the field performance.

I. OBJECTIVES
a) To familiarized the parts of a drum seeder.
b) To be able to recognize the metering apparatus of a drum seeder.
c) To gain knowledge in how to conduct a performance test of a drum seeder.
d) To obtain the efficiency and seeding rate of the seeder to be tested.
e) To determine what hopper capacity setting must use in a specific rice condition.

II. MATERIALS

 Drum seeder  Measuring Tape

 Rice (Dry)  Adhesive Tape
 Rice (Wet)  Containers
 Weighing Scale  Camera

III. METHODOLGY
1. Test for metering mechanism
a. The drum seeder is elevated up and the ground wheel of the machine is rotated

10 times to gather the discharged seeds by different containers and calculate for

its seeding rates. The seeding rate per area is calculated based on the weight of

seeds and the corresponding area covered by the seeder in 10 revolutions of the

ground wheel.
b. This test shall be carried out at ½, ¾, and full of the drum seeder’s hopper

capacity based on its diameter with three seeding rate settings – low, medium

and high (or low, high and very high).

IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Table 1. Seeding Rate (Dry)

Table 1. Seeding Rate (Continuation)
Table 2. Seeding Rate (Wet)

Table 2. Seeding Rate (Continuation)

 The test was made to scrutinize the performance of metering mechanism. Perceiving the

outcomes were tabulated and computed of which stated above for the field performance and

was conducted on type of seed for which the seeder is suitable, which is dry and wet rice paddy.

Evaluations of the different seeding rate of the different hopper capacity setting for dry and wet

conditions are shown in the appendices section.

It was witnessed, in both wet and dry conditions of the paddy that the highest seeding

rate in low, medium and high condition is obtained when the hopper capacity is half-full. Instead,

when the hopper is full, the seeding rate is low. Moreover, when the paddy is wet there is a

small dissimilarity in seeding rate with respect to different hopper capacity.

Accordingly, wet rice paddy is a favorable condition when using drum seeder to reduce

seeding rate dissimilarities as the seeds in the drum decreases due to discharge. Through this

test we can define what hopper capacity setting will be suitable depending on the desired

seeding rate.

Lastly, the chosen seeding rate is higher; half-full hopper capacity is favorable. Or else,

full capacity is used.

V. APPENDICES
VI. CONCLUSION

Scrutinizing the outcomes shown above, it can be inferred that the highest

seeding rate comes from the high setting at ½ hopper capacities at wet paddy condition.

Nevertheless, the condition of the paddy highly affects the seeding rate result it’s

because of the moisture containing the paddy causing into increase in weight and

resulting into higher seeding rate. Moreover, we conclude that when we use row seeding
 from direct seeding using drum seeder, ½ Hopper capacities at high setting (open

perforation) must use whether in dry or wet paddy condition through its high seeding

rate. Lastly, Full hopper capacity discharges small amount of paddy to the ground.

VII. DOCUMENTATION