The purchase of a tractor is a huge financial expenditure for a farmer - NSC Agricultural Technology - Question 5 - 2016 - Paper 1

1. Smaller Financial Expenditure: Tractor (c) is generally more cost-effective for vineyard operations.

2. Less Diesel Used: The efficiency of tractor (c) enables reduced fuel consumption during long farming hours.

3. Easier Maneuverability: Tractor (c) is designed to fit into narrow rows and maneuver easily in tight spaces found in vineyards.

4. Reduced Soil Compaction: The design of tractor (c) minimizes soil compaction, which is crucial for the health of vineyard soils.

1. Variable Rate Technology (VRT): Allows for precise control of resources during operation.

2. GPS: Enables accurate navigation and mapping of the farming area.

3. Four-wheel Driving: Provides better traction and stability on uneven terrain.

4. Power Steering: Improves maneuverability and ease of operation.

A - Flywheel

B - Clutch plate

C - Pressure plate

A - Round baler/Roller type
B - Rectangular baler/Ram or piston type (square, big pack)

The bale density in baler B can be changed by:

• Increasing the pressure within the baling chamber, which compresses the material more tightly.
• Decreasing the resistance to the hay moving through the chamber, allowing for more efficient packing.

1. Storage Space Optimization: Baler B can produce compact bales that maximize storage efficiency.

2. Easier Handling: The rectangular shape allows for easier stacking and transport of bales.

3. Continuous Baling Process: Baler B often has higher throughput capabilities, allowing for continuous operation.

Harvesting maize with a combine harvester involves several key steps:

• Shear Cuts the Plants: The combine is equipped with shears that trim the plants at the base.
• Auger Mechanism: Once cut, the auger transports the maize cobs to the thresher.
• Threshing Process: The thresher extracts the grain from the cobs, separating them for collection.
• Sieving: The combine then sifts through the collected material to ensure only viable grain is processed while removing debris.

1. Ensure the Machine is Off: Before performing any maintenance, ensure that the machine is not running.

2. Wear Protective Equipment: Use safety goggles and ear protection to guard against injuries.

3. Avoid Loose Clothing: Operators should secure loose clothing to prevent entanglement in moving parts.

A - Single-action cylinder
B - Double-action cylinder

The drive shaft must be equipped with a sliding joint to accommodate changes in distance between the tractor and implement during operation. This ensures flexibility and prevents damage caused by rigid connections.

1. Repairs: Regular maintenance and unexpected repair costs.

2. Fuel Costs: Fuel consumption based on operational hours and efficiency.

The gear ratio can be calculated as follows:

ext{Gear Ratio} = rac{ ext{Number of Teeth on Driven Gear}}{ ext{Number of Teeth on Drive Gear}} = rac{44}{22} = 2:1

The final drive increases torque because the drive gear has fewer teeth than the driven gear. This results in a mechanical advantage, allowing the same input speed to produce a higher output torque.

To find the speed of the driven gear, we use the gear ratio determined earlier:

1. Using the gear ratio from 5.9.1: 2:1 implies the driven gear will turn slower.

2. Calculation: ext{Speed of Driven Gear} = rac{ ext{Speed of Drive Gear}}{ ext{Gear Ratio}} = rac{200 ext{ r/min}}{2} = 100 ext{ r/min}