Performance Evaluation of a Two-Row Tractor-Mounted Groundnut Harvester in Comparison with Traditional Harvesting Methods

Abstract

The study sought to evaluate the performance of a two-row, fully mounted groundnut harvester by comparing vine and pod yields, percentage pod loss, and the proportion of damaged pods with four (4) other harvesting methods namely; hand hoe, hand fork, hand pulling, and cutlass. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) comprising three (3) blocks and five treatments. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 95% confidence level. The tractor-mounted harvester recorded a vine yield of 1,833 kg ha⁻¹ and a total pod yield loss of 25.64%, consisting of 0.19% damaged pods and 25.45% detached pod losses. In comparison with the hand hoe, cutlass, hand pulling, and hand fork harvesting methods, the harvester demonstrated competitive performance. However, a significant portion of the total pod losses associated with the harvester was due to pod detachment, highlighting its potential as a practical alternative to hand pulling for reducing overall harvest losses. Although the machine performed satisfactorily in digging operations, its current design limitations contribute substantially to pod detachment, thereby reducing its overall viability. These findings emphasize the need for further optimization of the harvester’s design to enhance its efficiency and minimize pod losses.