Design tractor-driven hole drilling machine

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING

ENGINEERING
FINAL YEAR PROJECT
PROJECT NUMBER : SMK 02/2011

PROJECT TITLE: DESIGN OF A TRACTOR DRIVEN HOLE DRILLING MACHINE FOR TREE-PLANTING
A project Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical
and Manufacturing Engineering.
BY:
LIMO KIPKOECH ELIUD
REG. NO: F18/1855/2006
AND
ROTICH MARTIN KIBIWOTT
REG NO: F18/1822/2006
SUPERVISED BY MR. S.M. KABUGO

June 2011
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DECLARATION
This document contains our original work and to the best of our knowledge has not been produced and
presented elsewhere for academic purposes
Signed..
Limo Kipkoech Eliud
Signed..
Rotich Martin Kibiwott
This project is submitted as part of examiners body requirement for the award of the degree of Bachelor
of science in mechanical and manufacturing engineering from the university of Nairobi
Project supervisor
Mr.S.M Kabugo
DEDICATION
I dedicate this to my mum Jennifer, siblings and colleagues who gave me all the support and believed in
me throughout my undergraduate program.
I also dedicate to my late father who worked hard to see me fulfill my dream.
Thank you all.
Limo Kipkoech Eliud.
I dedicate this to our family and colleagues who gave me all the support and believed in me
throughout my undergraduate program.
Thank you all.
Rotich kibiwott martin.
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank God almighty for giving us grace and energy throughout the project and the
undergraduate studies.
our sincere gratitude goes out to the project supervisor Mr. Kabugo for his guidance, advise and help he
offered us throughout our entire time in the university especially during this project. You have been a
constant source of inspiration, encouragement and knowledge, thanks for the time and dedication.
Special thanks to the entire staff of University of Nairobi who offered their assistance during the project
period and the department of mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering for the monetary funding.
Finally, we appreciate our classmates, friends, parents ,brothers and sisters for their support and
encouragement.
iii
NOTATIONS
T = torque.
p = total tool force.
= soil density.
g = acceleration due to gravity.
t = tool working depth below the surface.
c = soil cohesion strength.
q = surcharge pressure vertically acting on the soil surface.
w = tool width.
N, Nc & Nq factors that depend not only on the soil frictional strength, but also on the tool
geometry and tool to soil strength properties.
= friction angle.
= rake angle.
w = width of the cutter.
P = vertical average contact pressure.
k = soil stiffness constant for sinkage.
z = sinkage distance into the soil.
n = a soil constant.
kc and k = soil stiffness constants, which are presumed to be independent of plate width or diameter.
F = force.
A = Area.
M = moment.
E = Modulus of Elasticity.
I = moment of inertia.
K = constant.
iv
N = Newtons.
Np
= number of pinion teeth.
Ng = number of gear teeth.
Ao = cone distance.
= pitch angle for gear.
= pitch angle for pinion.
Fw = face width.
hk = working depth.
ht = whole depth.
=circular pitch.
aG = addendum of gear.
ap = Addendum of pinion.
bp = Dedendum
C = clearance.
p = dendendum angle.
o = face angle of blank for pinion.
o = Face angle of blank for gear.
R = root angle for gear.
do = pinion outside diameter.
DO = Gear outside diameter.
xo = pinion pitch apex to crown.
Xo = Gear pitch apex to crown.
tp = pinion circular thickness.
Tg = Gear circular thickness.
v
acp = chordal addendum.

tc = chordal thickness.
DW = wire diameter.
Dm = mean diameter
vi
ABSTRACT
This project is about the design of a tractor driven hole-drilling machine for planting trees. A machine
has been proposed that is going to address the shortcomings of the existing hole drilling methods and
provide a solution to the problem of hole drilling for planting trees or even for other purposes such as
for electricity, telephone and fencing poles. The proposed machine will use the power of a tractor by
means of the tractor Power Take off (PTO).
It begins with chapter one, which highlights various existing soil drilling methods and tree planting
operations. Literature review together with the project justification, conceptual model of the proposed
machine, operational characteristics and parts required is given in chapter two
Chapter 3 gives a brief description of the various components, their material properties, standard sizes
of the parts and the relevant equations to be used in the design. Determination of forces and machine
component dimensions is done in chapter four. Finally the results are discussed in chapter five and
appropriate conclusions drawn from them.
vii
Table of Contents
DECLARATION .......................................................................................................................................... i
DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................................ ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................... iii
NOTATIONS ............................................................................................................................................ iv
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................. vii
CHAPTER ONE ......................................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.0 BACKGROUND; .............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1.1Hole digging methods ............................................................................................................... 2
Traditional methods ........................................................................................................................ 2
1.1.2 Mechanized methods ............................................................................................................. 3
CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................................ 4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................................ 4
2.0 Introduction. .................................................................................................................................. 4
2.1 Tree planters................................................................................................................................. 4
2.1.1 Mechanical planters ............................................................................................................... 4
2.1.2 Auger Drilling. ........................................................................................................................ 5
2.1.3 AEON Tree Planter .................................................................................................................. 8
2.1.4 Hand auger equipment ......................................................................................................... 10
2.2 Tractor Driven Post Drillers ....................................................................................................... 15
2.3 Project justification. ..................................................................................................................... 15
2.4 Conceptual model of the proposed machine. ............................................................................... 16
CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................... 19
DESIGN OF PROPOSED MACHINE COMPONENTS ................................................................................... 19
3.1 THE CUTTING TOOL ...................................................................................................................... 19
viii
3.2 CUTTER PLATE ............................................................................................................................. 23

3.3 SPRINGS ...................................................................................................................................... 26
3.4 SHAFT .......................................................................................................................................... 29
3.5 Bevel gears .................................................................................................................................. 32
CHAPTER FOUR...................................................................................................................................... 35
DETERMINATION OF FORCES AND MACHINE COMPONENTS DIMENSIONS. ........................................... 35
4.1 Soil cutting force. ......................................................................................................................... 35
4.2 Penetration force ......................................................................................................................... 36
4.4 spring dimensions ....................................................................................................................... 38
4.5 Shaft size ..................................................................................................................................... 40
4.5.1 shaft diameter based on strength.......................................................................................... 40
4.5.2 Resistance to twisting method .............................................................................................. 41
4.5.3 Transmission of Torque Approach. ........................................................................................ 42
4.6 Shaft length ................................................................................................................................ 42
4.7 Design of bevel gears ................................................................................................................... 43
4.8 The boom .................................................................................................................................... 48
CHAPTER FIVE........................................................................................................................................ 52
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................. 52
5.1 Discussion .................................................................................................................................... 52
5.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 52
5.3 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 53
5.4 References ................................................................................................................................... 53
ix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 BACKGROUND;
Drilling is the act of making a hole in a material using cutting equipment and can be done on the earths
surface. Hole drilling on the earths surface is primarily done for several purposes, which include
erection of structures, extraction of oil or planting trees. The structures erected in drilled holes include
electricity poles, flag posts, masts; buildings etc. extraction of oil involves a vigorous drilling exercise of
extracting oil from depths of over 800 feet. Hole drilling for Planting trees is a major activity that
involves digging holes using either a drilling machine mechanism or hand tools. Trees are defined as
woody plants that have secondary branches supported clear of the ground on single main stem or trunk
with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity varies from 3m to 6m ; a
minimum of 10cm trunk diameter (30cm girth). Compared with most other plants, trees are long lived,
some of them getting to be several thousands years old and growing to up to 115m (375 ft) high., scenic
beauty and medicinal value among other reasons. In general, trees are necessary for our existence due
to the following reasons:
They are planted as cash crop e.g. tea, coffee, cottonwood, black locust and white ash
Some are used as medicine.
They act as carbon sinks.
They control soil erosion
They are used as fuel.
They act as windbreakers.
They are used for construction purposes.
Kenya has less than two percent forest cover of the countrys 58 million hectare with an
estimated 186000-hectare forest cover loss since 19909(www.kenyaforests.org). It also faces a
major wood shortage because plantation forests are not regenerating fast enough with an
annual deforestation rate of 0.3 percent. The government is counting on farmers to increase
Kenyas forest cover by up to 10 per cent the level it was at independence. Even though tree
planting is actually a great investment opportunity it has remained under appreciated in many
parts of the country. There is growing scientific evidence that forests, and the carbon they emit,
are undervalued. Recent studies have determined that huge amounts of carbon are stored in
peat and other organic matter soils, now estimated to account for about two thirds of the total
undetected. Indeed, native forests, tree plantations, grassland and other ecosystems in the
world may take up more carbon dioxide than released by industrial activities.
The forest survey carried out by US forest department showed that death rates of trees overall had
more than doubled since 1955. In the pacific north-west and British Columbia, deaths had doubled in 17
1
years. In California, the death rate took 25 years to double. These scientists believe that human
induced global deforestations is responsible for 18 -25% of global climate change. The United Nations,
World Bank and other leading non- governmental organizations are encouraging reforestation, avoided
deforestation and other projects that encourage tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In an effort to reduce the rapid depletion of the countrys miniscule forest cover, green belt movement
started by Nobel peace laureate prof.wangari mathai in 1977, whose vision is always to plant more trees
, has roughly planted over 30milion trees in public lands, schools, recreation sites and other parts of the
country across Kenya. This movement had helped in addressing the challenges of deforestation, soil
erosion and lack of water.
Tree planting involves the following operations: lining, holing for planting, transporting the seedling
from the nursery to the field, transporting the seedling in a tray or sling from roadside to the planting
hole, and finally planting the seedling in the prepared hole.
From the stages of tree life, planting is the most important operation and thus it requires great attention
.the operation could affect the whole life to the trees since it is the starting point of the trees life.
Hole digging methods

Hole digging involves either of the following methods :
Traditional methods
Mechanized methods
Traditional methods
Traditionally, simple tools like hoes, pangas and craw bars are used in the digging of holes for planting
trees. This process is labor intensive and involves
digging of the holes

pick up soil using spade or hand depending on the size of the hole,
The above method has the following limitations;

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Its slow and time consuming

Its tedious and quite involving i.e. a lot of energy is spent on digging of the holes
large-scale plantation needs a large human labour force.
It may not be done to the required dimensions i.e. depth hole and diameter of hole since it
depends on the limited human accuracy
Its expensive; high labor cost
The hole digger has to touch dirt every now and then hence becoming dirty
2
7.
Proper orientation of holes is difficult to maintain
1.1.2 Mechanized methods

Currently, hand held augers are used for drilling the holes for planting trees. The drilling of the holes
typically involves cutting of the roots of the harvested stump with an implement such as an axe then
using hand held motorized auger to drill the hole to the desired depth. The use of the hand held
motorized auger has the following limitations;
It is difficult to control due to the weight of the device and the engagement of the roots of the
harvested tree stump during operation.
It requires considerable muscular effort and difficult to maintain because of the difficult
operative nature of the motorized auger. With the hand held motorized augers, the hole drilling
process is labor intensive. It requires substantial effort getting up and down to chop roots, pickup the hand-held motorized auger, drill the hole, lower the hand held motorized auger, get
down on your knees to plant the seedling, pack dirt around the seedling, and then pick-up all the
equipment to move on to the next site.
Some motorized auger devices tend to scatter dirt away from the holes being drilled by the
auger, resulting in more difficult effort to pack soil around the seedling to finish the planting
process
The movement of machine around the farm is cumbersome.
The cost of machines involved is high
Some of the devices currently used to drill holes for planting trees are held augers, oil palm transplanter,
AEON tree planter etc.
It would, therefore be desirable to provide a device/machine to improve the operation of drilling a hole
for the planting of trees, particularly in the tree farm operations in which the trees are arranged in a grid
pattern and the seedlings are planted between more mature, unharvasted trees. It would also be
desirable to provide a mechanism that would improve the operation of a motorized auger to cut
through trees roots and minimize the displacement of dirt away from the drilled hole
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction.
Many traditional methods have been used which are so tedious and not efficient. Due to their
inefficiency, there has been need for a better way to plant trees. This has lead to mechanized ways of
planting trees and hence the development of tree planting machine.
Tree planting machines are not new , having been in use in both America and Europe for a number of
years.
In the last past years, interest in mechanical planting machines has widened to other soil types.
Agriculture cabbage planter have been adapted to plant trees cuttings (super-prefer) and purpose built
machine (whitfield F-85) has been operating in northeast Scotland, on new planting schemes only.
Planting machines offer a means of planting woodland quickly using small team operators. Whilst the
quality of machine planting may be lower than standard manual planting, it is consistent and can
achieve better results than operational manual planting. Manually controlled machines can achieve a
higher planting quality than semi-automatic planters because the operator can influence the positioning
of the plant in the furrow.
2.1 Tree planters

2.1.1 Mechanical planters
Mechanical tree planters are machines attached to a tractor that makes a slit in the soil.. A seedling tree
is placed in the slit and the packing wheels on the planter close the slit and firm the soil around the
seedling. In addition, some are equipped with furrowing attachments to scalp part of the planting area,
while designs that are more recent have spray attachments for applying herbicides to control unwanted
vegetation. These planters are only as good as their operators. Adjustments may be required for depth
and firmness of packing around the seedlings. During tree-planting, correct spacing of trees is usually
achieved by adjusting the speed of the tractor.
There are three types of mechanical planting machines;
i.
Floating type-, it is attached to a tractor by a three-point hitch so that the entire machine can be
raised from the ground by the hydraulic lift on the tractor.
ii.
Semi-floating type - it has its front end carried by the tractor and its back end carried on wheels;
the tractor cannot lift it.
iii.
Trailer type it has all or nearly all its weight carried on its own wheels.
Fig.2.1.1 mechanical tree planter.
Most of these planting machines consist of a rolling coulter, a trencher, an operators seat and packing
wheels. These parts are attached to a sturdy frame, usually equipped with a three-point hitch for use on
a tractor with a hydraulic lift unit.
The rolling coulter is a disc like cutting wheel that cuts through the ground surface and severs old roots,
trash and other debris. It also serves to automatically raise the trencher over buried rocks, logs, etc. it
should cut at a depth slightly below the trench point
2.1.2 Auger Drilling.
Auger drilling is a drilling method that uses a large helical shaped screw to extract material from
the ground. When used for drilling, the auger drill bit screws into the soil and material is
automatically moved up the shaft of the rotation device. There are many types of augers
available today. Large, powered augers are typically used in the farming, construction, and
utility industries. These auger-drilling devices are used to drill holes for fence posts, utility
poles, and large drainage pipes under highways. Some of these augers are large and
cumbersome to operate. Figure 2.1.2a illustrates a giant auger for drilling holes for larger
diameters.
Fig2.1.2 a giant auger.
Fig.2.1.2b Tractor driven auger type drilling units.(www.bush hog tough features.com)
2.1.3 AEON Tree Planter

The AEON tree planter was invented by Norbert noecker in 1946. It was the first successful tree planting
machine in the state of Michigan. The planting machine are now called AEON TREE PLANTER. Each
machine is hand cratfed by larry kaylor or KAYLOR WELDING SERVICES.
The basic design of the AEON TREE PLANTER consists of : a coulter, trencher, and packing wheel. These
very basic parts have remained unchanged since the planter was invented. However, there have been
several improvements made to increase strength and convenience. One makes the frame out of steel
bars five inches and half inches with a trencher welded securely to it.
Each machine is equipped with a single seat for planting ease and comes with a tub to hold the trees
being planted. Lift eye balances whole planter while being loaded for transit. In addition, each machine
comes with two support legs to simplify storage and hook-up procedures. A 33.56 KW Tractor is
strongly recommended or a tractor that is capable of lifting 2000kgs.
AEON TREE PLANTING MACHINE is easy to operate, requires maintenance, and is durable. With so few
parts very little repair is ever needed. It is occasionally necessary to hard face weld or replaces the
trencher point. This planter has been on the market for 25 years. It is used in many types of soil
conditions and can handle most any large sized transplant. It has a planting trench of 0.3-0.356m, which
minimizes root pruning of stock and insures better survival rate.
Fig. 2.1.3a AEON Tree planter (www.aeonintl.com/tree planter pricing.html)
Fig.2.1.3b Actual Operation-tree spacing indicator to the right .Packing wheel to the right of center.
(www.aeonintl.com/tree planterpricing.html)
Special features of the AEON Tree Planter;
trencher point easily accessible for changing

cleanout space between coulter and trencher
front surface of trencher and point seated with hard face weld
comfortable seat, easily adjustable sideways and the lengthwise
lift eye balances whole planter while being loaded for transit
The complete machine weighs approximately 55okgs.

Standard features
3 point hitch
Adjustable tree spacer with sound effect from 3 to 8
Coulter 35 diameter and 3/8 thickness
It has a heavy packing wheel with an adjustable spring load.
Extra heavy steel frame- 5 *1.5
2.1.4 Hand auger equipment

The hand auger consists of extendable steel rods, rotated by a handle. A number of different steel
augers (drill bits) can be attached at the bottom end of the drill rods. The augers are rotated into the
ground until they are filled, and then lifted out of the hole to be emptied. A different auger can be used
for each formation (soil) type. Hand augering can be done both by using a heavy tripod and winch (such
as the vonder rig), or with lighter materials. It is suitable for unconsolidated formations: sand, silt and
soft clay. Stiff clays, hard materials and gravels are difficult or impossible to drill through.
By applying extension rods with a bayonet or a conical threaded connection, augering to greater depths
is possible. With hand auger equipment a depth of 8-10 meter can realistically be achieved. The
maximum boring depth strongly depends on factors such as soil profile and the characteristics of the
material the auger has to pass through.
Figure 2.1.4a Shows different bailers with augers.
.
Fig.2.1.4a different bailers and augers.
As with any tool or equipment, hand auger equipment too has to meet certain requirements. The most
important requirements are:
10
The equipment should be efficient, i.e. it should be such that, depending on the type of soil
research and the requirements the research should meet, this research can be executed as fast
as accurate as possible.
The equipment should be solid and strong
As general little manpower is available for such soil research in the field , and sometimes long
distances have to be covered carrying equipment, it is an important condition that the
equipment should be light and easy to handle.
The augers have been made of a high grade non-toxic steel and carefully selected hardening
treatment contributes to achieve a wear resistant and solid design
Advantages of hand augers.
i.
It is easy to use above the groundwater table.
Disadvantages of hand augers.

I.
II.
It may be difficult to remove the temporary casing. If clay layers are penetrated. It is
very difficult to use a temporary casing as it sticks to the clay.
The hole drilled does not stay open if a collapsing sand layer is encountered below a
clay layer (through which the temporary casing could not penetrate.)
There are various types of hand auger equipments

(i)Edelman augers
This type of soil auger is by far the most used auger. The typical design of the Edelman auger allows for a
minimum of friction during penetration into the soil, and the extraction of the auger from the soil, which
means less physical effort to achieve optimal results, the auger type should be chosen in respect of the
soil type in question. There are 4 types: the clay, sand, coarse sand as well as a combination type.
Clay soils are very cohesive. Therefore, the blades of the clay auger can narrow, having the
advantage that they meet with little resistance.
Sandy soil is not cohesive, in order to keep the sample inside the auger, this has broad blades.
Cars sand soils and extremely dirt sands soils have little or no cohesion at all. The blades of this
auger are extended with extra wings, thus forming an almost closed auger
The combination auger type gets a reasonably good hold of sandy material clavey material can
be fairly easily removed from the auger body
11
Fig 2.1.4b Edelman augers: clay combination, sand and coarse sand type (www.eijkelkamp.com)
To remove the sample from the Edelman auger, it is placed with its tip down on the surface, after which
it is turned 180 degree
(ii) Riverside auger
This is a very suitable for auguring in hard stiff soils, mixed with fine gravel both above and below the
ground water level. The very sharp extremities of the auger bits point at an angle downwards. This
design makes auger go through the soil easily.
Fig2.1.4c Riverside auger(www.eijkelkamp.com)

(iii) stony auger
For soil with large gravel content. The auger body for stony soils consists of heavy steel strip, vaulted all
along, which is bent double forging .
The pointed cutting bits of the trip are bent outward, thus creating some-what wider than the average
body diameter. The stony soil auger is used when the Riverside auger is not yielding adequate results in
coarse gravel soils.
(iV). Spiral auger and stone catcher.
The spiral auger operates similar to a cocks screw and does not cut off the soil. the auger is usually
applied when hard layer need to be penetrated
12
The spiral auger has a negative end, i.e the centre of the auger end is whetted away. For profile
research (soil mapping) the spiral auger is seldom used. Its use is confined to augering through very
hard layers e.g bore ore, bricklayers, chalk and lime profiles in combination with other auger types. The
single spiral auger is standard equipped with a contact for electrodes. The stone catcher auger type is
used to remove loose stones from the auger hole.
Fig.2.1.4d spiral auger and stone catcher. (www.eijkelkamp.com)

(Vi) soft soil auger
This special type of Edelman auger has an extended auger body (sensitive to torsion) and is suitable only
sampling very soft (clay) soils.
Fig.2.1.4e soft soil auger (www.eijkelkamp.com)

(Vii). Gouge auger
The gouge auger can be used for sampling with a minimal disturbance of more or less soft, cohesive
layers e.g. wet clay, peat. The gouge auger with the smallest diameter is used for the deepest sample.
(Viii). Piston sampler

The piston sampler differs completely in design and application from the augers described before and is
very suitable for sampling less cohesive soil layers (sand) below the ground water table. the piston
sampler is also suitable for sampling sediments with a sand content. Essential differences between the
other augers and the piston sampler are
13
The piston sampler can only be applied below the water table in moderately cohesive soils like
sand, weak soil layers, etc.
The piston sampler can take almost undisturbed samples.
The piston sampler takes samples of 0.75 or 2.0 meters, while the other types have a maximum
sample length
Fig. 2.1.4f Gouge auger and piston sampler (www.eijkelkamp.com)

2.1.2 Medium duty augers: earth (dirt) augers
This particular model of our earth auger is set up for soil applications with blade teeth and a fish tail
pilot bit. 16 through 24 models can also accommodate bolt-on bullet teeth for rock applications.
Hundreds of variations are possible for virtually any soil condition with changeable shanks,teeth and
pilots.
14
2.2 Tractor Driven Post Drillers

These are also auger type but are rotary driven by the power take off of a tractor and hydraulic press is
applied to push the rotating auger into the ground. The hydraulic unit also provides the up and down
motion that removes the loose soil after digging to reveal a clean hole.
Fig 2.2 tractor driven post-hole driller. (www.bush hog tough features.com)
2.3 Project justification.

The above machines have got their shortcomings as discussed below
The mechanical planter can only be used in an open field plantation due to its size i.e its hard to
maneuver through an existing plantation. It is also expensive and cannot dig deep holes.
The AEON tree planter cannot dig deep holes; also the operator is quite close to the ground and
chances of getting hurt by the removed soil or particles as the machine operates or getting dirty.
The hand held augers which have been used have got its shortcomings due to high friction, also a lot
of manual efforts, tiring to operate, proper orientation of the drilled hole is difficult to maintain because
15
of the difficult operative nature of the auger. The hole drilling process is labor intensive and requires
substantial efforts getting up and down to chop roots, pick-up the hand held motorized auger, drill the
hole, lower the hand held auger motorized auger, get down your knees to plant the seedling, pack dirt
around the seedling, and then pick up all the equipment to move on to the next site. Some motorized
auger devices tend to scatter dirt away from the hole being drilled by the auger, resulting in a more
difficult effort to pack soil around the seedlings to finish the planting process.
Proposed machine design.
It is proposed to design a machine that can easily be used to drill holes for planting trees, electricity or
telephone poles and other applicable areas.
The machine to be designed can drill a hole of 600mm diameter and a maximum depth of one meter.
The holes to be produced by the machine will be of uniform diameter throughout as opposed to the
ones drilled by augers, which are usually conical. It is also possible to drill holes of different diameters
like 200mm, 300mm and 400mm by just changing the size of the cutter plate.
Important features of the proposed machine are: ease of transportation to drilling site, ease of assembly
at the drilling site, being able to be attached and detached from the driving power easily.
2.4 Conceptual model of the proposed machine.

The proposed machine is driven by the tractor power take-off (PTO). The PTO shaft will be connected to
the vertical shaft by a set of straight mitre bevel gears at 90o . The vertical shaft will be holding a cutter
plate at the bottom on which a cutting tool is mounted. The design borrows from Bush hog, auger type
drilling units with the auger being replaced by the vertical shaft carrying a cutter pate as shown below.
16
Parts required:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
Two bevel gears

Cutter plate
Cutting tool
Helical compression spring
Universal joint
Shaft
Thrust bearing
Plate carrying cutting tool
Operational characteristics
Before engagement of the cutter plate into the soil the cutter plate is closed as shown in the diagram
below.
Shaft
Cutting tool
Cutter plate
12.55 mm
Helical compression
spring
Fig 2.2a Closed assembly
On engagement into the soil, the resistance of the soil to cutting will force the plate carrying the cutting
tool to open to its maximum as the helical compression is compressed as shown below:
17
Shaft
Movable
Helical compression
spring
Rigid
Cutter plate
Plate carrying the

cutting tool.
Cutting tool
Fig.2.4b Open assembly of the proposed machine component.
When the cutter plate is fully open, soil-cutting operation commences. Soil cutting operation in this case
is similar to turning in metal cutting where a layer of metal (chip) is removed. In soil cutting, a layer of
soil is removed or scrapped and it flows through the tool face to the top of the cutter plate. After drilling
to a sufficient depth, rotation of the cutter plate is stopped, hence the helical compression spring
pushes back the plate carrying the cutting tool since there are no soil cutting forces thus closing the
cutter plate.
The column of soil resting on the cutter plate can now be lifted up to the surface and dropped. The
operation is repeated until the required depth of the hole is reached.
18
CHAPTER THREE
DESIGN OF PROPOSED MACHINE COMPONENTS
3.1 THE CUTTING TOOL
Soil cutting operations can be likened to the planning process shown in figure 3.1a below where the tool is
wedge-shaped, has a straight cutting edge and is constrained to move relative to the soil surface in such a way
that a layer of soil is removed (or scrapped).
Tool face
Tool
S c ra p p e d
la y e r o f
s o il
Undeformed
soil thickness
cutting
edge
Clearance
Tool
flank
Fig 3.1a soil cutting operation.

The wedge-shaped cutting tool consists of two surfaces intersecting to form the cutting edge. The surface along
which the scrapped soil flows is known as the rake face, and that that which is ground back to clear the
scrapped soil surface is known as the flank .thus during cutting a wedge-shaped clearance crevice exists
between the tool flank and the new soil surface.
The slope of the tool face is known as the rake angle. The angle between the flank and the new soil surface can
affect the rate at which the cutting tool wears and is defined as the clearance or relief angle. Relief angle is
provided below the cutting edges to allow the tool to penetrate the soil and to prevent the cutting tool from
rubbing against the soil during the cutting operation. Angles from 60 to 80 are sufficient to reduce friction.
In the selection of the cutting tool, the following is considered;
Rake angle.
Rake angles affect the shearing action that the tool has on the material. In general terms rake
angles are of three types ;
(i) Positive rake angle.
19
(ii) Neutral rake angle and

(iii) Negative rake angle.
These are shown below;
(I)
(ii)
(iii)
Fig3.1b Rake angles (i)positive rake angle (ii)neutral rake angle (iii)negative rake angle
The positive rake angle is chosen for the cutting tool in order to enhance the free
cutting action possible when cutting through the soil and to reduce the cutting forces
thus minimizing tool deflection and wear.
Relief angle.
This is shown below;
Relief Angle
Fig.3.1c Relief angle

Relief angle prevents the side and/or end of the tool from physically rubbing against the
soil surface. Increasing the relief angle will tend to weaken the tool, but on the positive side, will
maintain a working cutting edge for a longer period.
20
Radius or nose refers to tip of the cutting tool, which is slightly rounded to strengthen the cutting tool
with a larger radius the pressure on the tool is reduced.
Tool
Nose
Surface in contact
with soil
Fig.3.1d Nose radius
Soil cutting force.

The determination of soil cutting forces employs the universal earth moving equation proposed by
Reece in 1965. He recognized that the mechanics of earthmoving are similar in many respects to the
bearing capacity of shallow foundations on soil as described by Terzaghi in 1943. He also based his
findings on the fact that the quantitative effects on maximum bearing pressure of soil weight, cohesion
and surcharge pressure above the foundation level can be separated and are algebraically additive.
Reece hence proposed the following as the universal earth moving equation for describing the force
necessary to cut soil with a tool.
P = [gd2 (N) + cd ( Nc) + qd( Nq)]w. 3.1.1
Where P = total tool force;
= total soil density.
g = acceleration due to gravity.
d = tool working depth below the surface.
c = soil cohesion strength.
21
q = surcharge pressure vertically acting on the soil surface.

w = tool width
(N), Nc and Nq are factors which depend not only on soil friction strength, but also on tool geometry
and tool soil strength properties.
In using the above earth moving equation, it is assumed that the surcharging pressure vertically acting
on the soil surface,q to be zero since the cutting is of small depth ( about 30mm) hence the component
qd(Nq) is negligible. This reduces the equation to;
P = [gd2 (N) + cd (Nc)]w 3.1.2
The penetration force; vertical average contact pressure.

Penetration into the soil begins at small loads with accompanying shear strains, which are less than
those that are required to develop failure. After local shear failure has occurred, a wedge of soil beneath
the sinking structure continues to descend, but an increasing penetration load is needed in order to lift
larger depths of surcharged soil above and to the sides of the object.
Natural soil exhibits a gradual change in load required for the transition between small and large linkage
and a smooth variation in sinkage with increasing penetration force is observed. Early descriptions of
such behavior were reported by Bernstein (1913) and Goriatchkin (1937) and the following equation was
proposed to describe it;
P = kzn
3.1.3
Where P = Vertical average contact pressure.

k = a soil stiffness constant for sinkage.
z = sinkage distance into the soil.
n = a soil constant.
The principal deficiency of the above equation for predictions of machine sinkage and performance was
found to be the variability of the soil stiffness constant, with the size of the object and the soil. From civil
engineering technology, it was known that the sinkage of a rectangular plate at a given average vertical
pressure on a particular soil, depends also on the width of the rectangular plate (Taylor, 1948).Bekker
(1956) combined the two concepts, namely the exponential pressure sinkage relationship of the
equation above and the pate size dependence of the soil stiffness constants as follows
P = (
+ K) Zn3.1.4
Where;
Kc and k are soil stiffness constants presumed to be independent of plate width or diameter.
22
b = tool width
3.2 CUTTER PLATE

The size of the plate can be determined by considering the weight of the soil that is resting on the plate prior to
lifting from the hole after drilling. Assuming the hole is drilled up to a maximum depth (d) of one metre before
lifting as shown in the figure below,
shaft
2b
Column of soil
Cutter plate
a
Fig.3.2a
The mass of the soil is given by:

Mass =density volume
m = (a2 b2) d ..3.2.1
Where;
m = mass of the soil.
= soil density.
a = Radius of the plate.
23
b = radius of the shaft bore as shown above.

d = depth of soil.
The equation relating the maximum shear stress and the plate thickness is:
max = c
... 3.2.2
( From mechanics of engineering materials p.p Benham and R.J Crawford pg 456)
Where max = maximum shear stress.
c is a factor involving the ratio
and poissons ratio
p = pressure on the plate.

h = plate thickness.
The loading configuration for the plate is shown below.
Case 7
Fig3.2b plate loading
24
Table 3.2 : Coefficients

a
b
C
c for the plate configuration shown in the figure 3.2b
1.25
1.5
0.135
0.41
1.04
2.15
2.99
3.69
Source: mechanics of engineering materials by p.p Benham and R.J Crawford pg456
=
= 13.3
This value is beyond the range tabulated in the table 3.2 and therefore in order to get the corresponding value
of c for this ratio, a graph of
against c is drawn and extrapolated as shown below.
Graph of a/b against c"

18
16
14
12
10
a/b
8
6
4
2
0
0
10
15
20
25
C"
The value of c is found to be 16.5.
25
3.3 SPRINGS.
A spring is an elastic member that stores energy and provides a force over a distance by elastic
deflection. The spring structures are characterized by their ability to withstand relatively large
deflections elastically. Design of springs is an analysis of machine elements that undergo relatively large
elastic deflections and are made of materials capable of withstanding high stress levels without yielding.
compression helical springs.
They are made up of round wire wrapped in cylindrical form with a fixed pitch and wound to form a
helix. The spring may be wound in hot or cold depending on the application and the material. Helical
springs take up axial loads and in some cases take up torque also. This type of spring is used due to the
following advantages:
Ease of manufacturing.
They are reliable.
They are available in wide range.
They have constant spring rate.
Their performance can be predicted more accurately and their characteristics can be varied by
changing dimensions.
Fig.3.3a Variations in helical compression springs.

Spring materials
As the energy stored in a spring is measured by the volume of elastically distorted material which is
limited by the spring configuration and stress carrying capacity of the most highly strained portion, it is
usual practice to employ high-strength materials such as high-carbon steel, cold -rolled and precipitation
hardening stainless and non-ferrous alloys, and a few specialized non metallics such as laminated fibre
glass.
Extension and compression springs are usually made from high-carbon steel, manganese steel, or silicon
steel. The heavily loaded springs in internal combustion engines are made of chromium and vanadium
steel. The wire (or bar) intended for manufacturing of helical springs is subjected to heat treatment
before being wound and wires of diameter more than 12mm are wound hot. Highly accurate springs for
instruments and important mechanisms are made of patented wire made of high carbon steel.
26
Materials commonly used for making springs and their physical properties are given in table 3.3a below
Table 3.3a Physical properties of spring materials
Material
Ultimate
tensile
strength
Yield
strength
(tensile)
Yield
stress
(shear)
Working
stress
(tension)
Working
stress
(shear)
E
104
Kg/mm2
G
104
Kg/mm2
Music wire
ChromiumVanadium
steel
Si-Mn steel
C95 steel
C50 steel
Monel metal
Phosphor
bronze
Brass
Brass(hard
drawn)
Duralumin
200
160
170
130
100
75
90
61
55
37
20
2.0
0.77
0.80
150
135
80
80
67
110
90
51
47
34
64
57
30
28
20
54
47
39
34
31
32
28
23
20
13
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.75
1.0
0.77
0.77
0.77
0.65
0.42
64
61
32
30
19
18
13.5
10
8.1
6.7
1.0
1.0
0.37
0.37
44
23
5.4
0.67
0.27
13.5
9.0
All values are in kg/mm2
Source: Machine design by R.K. JAIN pg 577
Standard wires for springs

The wire size for springs is usually selected from the standard ranges available. The most
commonly used sizes are:
Table 3.3b Standard wire sizes.
SWG
5/0
4/0
3/0
2/0
Dia.(mm)
10.973
10.160
9.490
8.837
8.229
7.020
7.010
6.401
SWG
10
11
12
Dia.(mm)
5.893
5.385
4.877
4.470
4.064
3.658
3.251
2.946
2.642
SWG
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Dia.(mm)
2.337
2.032
1.829
1.626
1.422
1.219
1.016
0.914
0.813
SWG
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Dia.(mm)
0.711
0.610
0.559
0.508
0.457
0.4166
0.3759
0.3454
0.3150
Source: Machine design by R.K. JAIN pg 572
Design of helical spring means determining the principal dimensions like the mean coil diameter
Dm, size of the wire Dw, the number of coils n and the free length Lf.
27
Fig 3.3b Principal dimensions of the spring.

Dw = wire diameter.
Dm = mean coil diameter.
OD=outside diameter
ID=inside diameter
wire diameter is determined from the equation

D = (
) . 3.3.1
(From Machine design by R.K. JAIN pg582)

where;
Ss = design shear stress.
Dw = wire diameter.
Fc = soil cutting force.
Dm = mean coil diameter.
28
3.4 SHAFT
The Shaft size is dictated by torque, but changes in horsepower and speed (RPM) affect torque as shown
in the following equation of determining power;
P= T..3.4.1
Where
T = Toque.
= speed (RPM).
T=
accordingly, an increase in horsepower would require more torque, as would a decrease in RPM.
For example, a 100-hp designed for 900-rpm would require twice as much torque as a 100-hp PTO
designed for 1800-rpm. Each shaft must be sized for the torsional load it is expected to carry.
In determining the shaft size, three approaches can be used:
(i) Determination of shaft diameter based on strength.
(ii) Resistance to twisting method
(iii) Transmission of torque approach.
Determination of shaft diameter based on strength.
When the shaft is subjected to both torsional and bending loads, the maximum torsional shear stress is
given by:
(
3.4.2
(From Machine design by R.K. JAIN pg 647)

Where
M=bending moment
T=torque
Resistance to twisting method
The other way to calculate minimum shaft size is to set a limit on the amount of torsional deflection
(twisting) that may occur. Resistance to torsional stress is directly proportional to shaft size: the larger
the diameter , the greater the resistance to twisting. A rule of thumb with this method is that the shaft
must be large enough that it will not deflect more than 1 degree in a length of 20 times its diameter.
To calculate the minimum shaft size to meet this specification, The Machinery's Handbook provides the
following equation for determining minimum shaft size:
29
D=
4 (inches) ..3.4.3 (a)
where:
P = horsepower
N = speed (RPM
Transmission of torque approach.
This method involves determination of the shaft diameter by considering the following cases .
Table 3.4 Main power transmitting shaft.

Shaft with keyway.
D=
(inches.)
Shaft without keyway.

D=
(inches.)
Source: machinerys handbook.

The shaft to be keyed hence the formula;
D=
3.4.3 (b)
is used where;
P = PTO horsepower.
N = PTO speed in RPM.
Shaft material.
A good material for the shaft must have sufficiently high strength, good machinability, low sensitivity to
stress concentration and to withstand heat treatment operations of high wear resistance. Usually shafts
are made of mild steel and carbon steel, the following grades of carbon steel being used C25, C30, C40,
C45 and C50. (source: Machine design by R.K. JAIN pg646)
Determination of the shaft length.
The analysis of the shaft based on torsion is as follows;
30
Consider a thin cylindrical tubes of radius r and thickness r on which shear stress is .
The force per unit length on the tube = r
The torque per unit length of the tube about the shaft axis = rr
The resisting torque on the whole tube = 2rrr
The resisting torque for the whole cross section =
dr.
This is equal to the applied torque; therefore

2r2dr
T=
(1)
Geometry of deformation.
A cylindrical shaft of length L and outer radius ro subjected to torque T may be regarded as being built up of a
large number of thin-walled tubes just fitting inside each other. They are all twisted through the same angle of
rotation , therefore for any arbitrary tubes of radius rp and rq experiencing shear strain p and q
From the equation =
, we may write;
(2).
The shear stress shear strain relation in terms of shear modulus is given by;
=G
(3).
From equation (2) and (3),

=
(4).
Therefore,
T=
2r3dr. =
, substituting for in equation (1).
2 r3dr
The integral function; 2r3 dr
: this is the polar second moment of area of the section denoted
by J. Therefore,
31
T =
From equation (4),

=
= 3.4.4
The quantities concerned and their units are:

T = torque, N-M.
J = Polar second moment of area, M4
= shear stress, N/M2 at radius r, M
G = shear modulus, N/M2
= Angle of twist over the length L, M.
3.5 Bevel gears

For intersecting shafts,bevel gears offer a good means of transmitting motion and power.Most
transmissions occur at right angles,but the shaft angles can be any value.In the design the intersection is
at right angles.Bevel gears have tapered elements because they are generated and operate,in theory,on
the surface of a sphere.Pitch diameters of mating bevel gears belong to a frustra of cones as shown in
figure 3.5a.In the full development on the surface of a sphere,a pair of meshed bevel gears are in the
conjugate arrangement as shown in figure 3.5b.
Straight bevel gears are the simplest and most widely used type of bevel gears for the transmission of
power and/or motion between intersecting shafts.
32
Bevel gear tooth proportions

Bevel gear teeth are proportioned in accordance with the standard system of tooth proportions used for
spur gears. However, the pressure angle of all standard design bevel gears is limited to 20. Since beveltooth elements are tapered, tooth dimensions and pitch diameter are referenced to the outer end
(heel).Since the narrow end of the teeth (toe) vanishes at the pitch apex (centre of reference generating
sphere), there is practical limit to the length (face) of a bevel gear. The geometry and identification of
bevel gear parts is given in figure 3.5c below.
Bevel gear terminology

Shaft angle -The angle between the intersecting shaft axes.
Pitch angle - The angle between the gear axis and the pitch cone generator.
Pitch diameter- The diameter of the circle, which forms the base of the pitch cone.
Cone distance - The distance between the apex of the cone and the pitch circle.
33
Back cone - The complementary cone generated by a line at right angles to the pitch cone generator at
the pitch diameter and intersecting the axis.
Outside diameter - The diameter across the tips of the teeth.
Addendum - The height from the pitch circle to the tip of the tooth measured along the back cone
generator.
Dedendum -The depth of the tooth space below the pitch circle measured along the back cone generator.
Face width - Length of the teeth measured along the pitch cone generator; the British Standards
Institution recommend that the face width should not normally exceed either one third of the cone
distance or three times the pitch.
34
CHAPTER FOUR
DETERMINATION OF FORCES AND MACHINE COMPONENTS
DIMENSIONS
4.1 Soil cutting force.
The values to work with are selected as below in order to be able to read out the values of (N)and (Nc)
from the tables in appendix 1, graph 1 and 2
Rake angle = 300
Angle of friction between soil and the tool material, = 200
Angle of internal friction,0 = 300; this is sometimes a directly visible quantity, such as the angle
of response
With the following values,
d = 20mm,
w = 227.5 mm.
Where
d=cutting tool depth
w=tool width
The factors(N) , (Nc)and c are determined from graphs 1 & 2and table 2 in appendix 2 by first
calculating the ratio
= 0.0879
This gives the following values;

N = 1.6
Nc = 1.7
The following assumptions are made:
Soil density = 2000 kg/m3
Soil cohesion strength, c = 20.7 kpa (heavy clay)
Substituting these values in equation 3.1.2,
P = [gd2 (N) + cd (Nc)] w
P = {[2000 9.81 0.022 1.6] + [20,700 0.02 1.7]} 0.2275.
=162.97 N
This is the total tool cutting force P labeled FC in the figure below;
35
Fc
Fr
Ft
Fr = Resultant force.
Ft = Thrust force.
Fig 4.1 Forces acting on the cutting tool.
The torque carried by the shaft due to this cutting force is now determined. This force is assumed to act
at the centre of the cutting tool width and is taken about the centre of the plate i.e.
Torque, T = P
where P = soil cutting force.

W = tool width.
T =
162.97 0.18625 =30.353 N-M
If the 1635 4WD PLATFORM/CAB tractor model is chosen, the torque from the PTO shaft can be
calculated. This tractor has PTO power of 20.2 kw and a PTO speed of 540 RPM.
Hence torque, T =
= 357.21 N-M
This torque is high compared to the torque as a result of the tool cutting force hence it can be handled
by a small tractor model e.g 1635 4WD PLATFORM/CAB tractor model.
4.2 Penetration force

Vertical average contact pressure is calculated from equation 3.1.4.
P = (
+ K) Zn
where;
p=vertical average contact pressure
36
C = 20.7kpa.
2 kpa/mn-1
Kc =
K = 103 kpa/mn
n = 0.11
Tool width b = 227.5 mm = 0.2275m
Z = 0.02m
P = {
+ 103 1000 } 0.020.11
= 72,697.747 Pascals.
Penetration force, F = P A
Where A is the contact area with the soil for the cutting tool. A is determined from the length of the
cutting tool and the nose radius, r, by assuming a quarter of the nose is in contact with the soil as shown
in fig.3.1d. From engineering and technical journal vol.27 No.2009 of studying the effect of nose radius
on work piece run out and surface finish by Dr.saad Kareem Sharther,for metal cutting, experiments
prove that high values of nose radius were obtained as 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5mm. Since soil cutting
operation in this project has been likened to metal cutting and since also the size of the soil cutting tool
is bigger compared to the metal cutting tool, the big value of the nose radius is selected i.e. 2.5mm.
Therefore contact area, A =
2rl
Where
r=nose radius = 2.5mm
And l = length of the cutting tool = 227.5mm
Hence penetration force, F = 72,697.747 2 2.5 10-3 0.2275 = 64.95 N
4.3 Determination of plate thickness .

Assuming the density of the soil is 2000kg/m3, from equation 3.2.1,
Mass of the soil = (a2 b2) d
= 2000( 0.32 0.02252) 1.
= 562.3058kg.
37
This mass of soil can be sufficiently lifted by the tractors three point hitch (from appendix 1, the lift capacity of
1635 4WD PLATFORM/CAB tractor model is 1270kg).
From equation 3.2.2,
max = c
h =
, making h the subject of the formula,
"
The value of c is found to be 16.5.

The plate material is made from carbon steel (yield = 370 Mpa)
(From mechanics of engineering materials by P.P Benham and RJ Crawford pg 610)
Applying a safety factor of 2, max =
= 185 Mpa.
Weight of the soil above the plate = mass gravitational acceleration = 562.3058 9.81 = 5516.22N.
Pressure, P, on the plate due to this weight =

=
.
( .
= 19620N/M2
Therefore;
h =
h = 0.01255m = 12.55mm
4.4 spring dimensions

The material selected for the spring is C95 steel(from table 3.3a), which has the following properties:
Yield stress (shear), = 57 kg/mm2 = 559.17 Mpa.
Modulus of rigidity (G) = 7700 kg/mm2. = 75.537Gpa.
Applying a safety factor of two, the design shear stress = =
= 279.585 Mpa.
On the basis of space limitation, the mean coil diameter Dm is chosen to be 40 mm

Fc = 162.97 N ( from previous analysis)
38
8
D = (
Dw = (
)
.
) = 3.9 mm.
Selecting the nearest standard size of wire from table 3.4b , Dw = 4.064 mm
Deflection analysis
The deflection of the spring is given by the equation
=
(from machine design by R.K.JAIN pg 573)
From which n =
Where
=deflection
G = shear modulus
Dw= wire diameter
F = soil cutting force

Dm = mean diameter of the coil.
n = number of turns.
When the plate carrying the cutting tool Is fully open, the spring will have deflected by an amount equal
to
=
0.6 = 0.2356m
Therefore n =
=
( .
.
n = 58.18559turns
39
Calculation of free length.
Solid length, Ls = number of turns Wire diameter.

= n Dw
= 59 4.064 = 239.776 mm.
Free length, Lf = solid length + operating deflection.
=239.776 + 235.6
= 475.376 mm.
The circumference of the cutter plate = 600 = 1884.96 mm.
The ratio of the free length to the circumference of the cutter plate =
.
.
= 0.25
Hence the spring will occupy about 25% of the circumference.
4.5 Shaft size

4.5.1 shaft diameter based on strength.
From appendix 1, the selected tractor model is 1635 4WD PLATFORM/CAB, which has the following
values for its PTO;
P = 27.1 horsepower(20.2Kw)
N = 540 RPM.
From equation 3.4.1, T =
= 357.21 N-M
For the gears, the driving forces are computed as though the contact is always at the pitch circle. Hence
the driving force F is given as:
=
40
The bending moment M at the centre of the gear =

Therefore M=
=T
The equivalent twisting moment = (
= (
=(357.12 + 357.12 ) = 505.044 NM

Grade C40 is selected, from which
= 380 Mpa
(From Machine design by R.K. JAIN pg 1414)

The relationship between allowable stresses and specified minimum strengths using the AISC (American
Institute of Steel Construction) code is specified as:
max = 0.4 y
(from mechanical engineering design by J.E. Shigley pg 24)
where max = maximum allowable shear stress.
= 0.4 380 = 152Mpa
Applying a safety factor of 2, max =
= 76 Mpa.

(
max =
Where d = shaft diameter.

76 106 =
505.044
Therefore d = 32.35 mm.

4.5.2 Resistance to twisting method
P = 27.1 horsepower
N =540 RPM.
From equation 3.4.3 (a),
D=
4 (inches)
41
4 = 0.89608 inches.
D = 22.7 mm.
4.5.3 Transmission of Torque Approach.
From equation 3.4.3 (b),
D=
D=
= 1.735255 inches.
D = 4.41 cm (44.1mm)
The larger value obtained from the third design criteria i.e. (transmission of torque approach) is
selected which is 44.1mm. The nearest standard shaft size of 45mm is chosen. (From Machine design by
R K JAIN pg 650).
4.6 Shaft length

From the machinerys handbook, the rule of thumb is that the shaft must be large enough so that it would not
deflect more than one degree in a length of 20 times its diameter.
P=T
=
T=
J=
=
=
L=
G = 77 GN/M2 for steel
(mechanics of engineering materials by p.p Benham and R.J Crawford pg60)
42
P = 27.1 HP or 20.2KW
N = 540 RPM
J=
= 4.02578
10-7 M4
If the twist of the shaft should not exceed one degree, the length of the shaft can be found.
= 10 = 0.01745329 rad.
T=
= 357.214 N-M
Therefore; L =
= 1.5m
4.7 Design of bevel gears

Sketch of the bevel gear.
.
Calculation of dimensions for pinion.

Number of teeth, = 16
Number of gear teeth, Ng = 16
Diametral pitch = 0.222
Number of pinion teeth, Np = 16
Cone distance, AO =
Face width, F =
= 50.91mm.
= 16.97 mm.
43
Working depth, hk = 2/p
= 9mm.
Whole depth, ht = 2.188/p + 0.05 =

.
Circular pith, p =
+ 0.05 = 9.90 mm
= 14.139 mm
Addendum of gear, aG = m (0.54 +
.
(
Equivalent 900 ratio;

M90 = MG = =
aG = 4.5 ( 0.54 +
= 4.5
.
.
.
= 2.532
Addendum of pinion, ap
ap = hk - aG
= 9.0 - 2.5322
= 6.4678
Dedendum , bp
=
- ap =
.
.
- 6.4678
= 3.388 mm
Clearance, c
C = ht - hk
= 9.9 9.0
= 0.9 mm.
Dedendum angle p
p = tan-1
= tan-1
.
.
= 3.8070
44
Face of angle of blank.

0 = + G
= 45 + 8.176
= 53.1760
G = dedendum angle for the gear
= tan-1
bG = Dedendum of gear
=
=
- aG
.
- 2.5322
= 7.3237
G = tan-1
.
.
= 8.1760
Root angle, p
= 45 - 3.807
= 41.1930
Outside diameter, do
do = d + 2ap cos
= 72 + 2(6.4678cos 45)
= 81.1469 mm.
Pitch apex to crown, X0
X0 =
=
sin
- 6.4678 sin 45
= 31.4266 mm.
Circular thickness;
45
t = pT
= 14.139 - 5.637
= 8.50 mm.
T = - (ap - aG) tan
= 7.068 - (6.4678 2.5322) tan 200
= 5.637 mm.
Choral addendum, acp = ap +
= 6.4678 +
= 6.6452 mm.
Calculation of dimensions of gear

Number of pinion teeth, Np=16
Number of gear teeth, Ng=16
Diametral pitch=0.2222
Face width, F=16.97
Pressure angle, =20
Shaft angle, =90
Working depth, hk=same as pinion=9.0mm
Whole depth= same as pinion=9.90mm
Pitch diameter, D=
=72mm
Pitch angle, =90-=45

Cone distance, Ao=same as pinion=50.91mm
Circular pitch, p=same as pinion=14.139
Addendum for gear, aG=2.5322
Deddendum, bG=
- aG
46
- 2.5322
=7.3138
Clearance ,c=same as pinion=0.9mm
Dedendum angle,G=tan-1
=tan-1
.
.
=8.1750
Face angle of blank,o=+P
=45+3.807
=48.808
Root angle,R=-G
=45-8.175
=36.825
Outside diameter,Do=D+2aGcos
=72+22.5322sin45
=75.581mm
Pitch apex of crown , Xo= -aGsin
=
-2.5222sin45
=34.2165
Circular thickness, T= (ap - aG)tan20
=
(6.9678-2.5322)tan20
=5.637
47
4.8 The boom

4.8.1 Approximation of the Length of the boom
Considering the boom is connected to the shaft as shown below,

shaft
boom
1.5m
450
1.5 m
Length of boom =
= 2.12 m
4.8.1 weight of the boom
weight of the boom=weight of gear box + weight of bevel gears + weight of the vertical shaft +
weight of the cutter plate
4.8.2 weight of bevel gears.
Bevel gears are frustum shaped as shown below;
48
H= 31.83mm
53.4mm
81.1469 mm
By similarity,
.
.
h = 20.94 mm
base = 33.94 20.95
H = 31.83mm
Volume of the cone v =
( HR2 hr2 )
(0.03183 0.040572 0.020950.02672 )
v = 3.922 10-5 m3.

For two gears, V = 3.922 10-5 2 =7.8445 10-5 m3 .
Density of the selected gear material i.e. carbon steel = 7861 kg/m3.
The mass of the gears = density volume.
= 7861 7.844510-5
= 0.62 kg
Weight = 0.62 9.81 = 6.0822N.
49
4.8.3 Weight of the gear box.

The length and width of the gearbox can be approximated to be twice the outside diameter of the gear
(length=width) = 281.1469 = 162.3mm.
Material of the gearbox is cast steel whose density is 7850 kg/m3
Thickness = 3 mm (www. citroparts. com)
3mm
l
Volume of the gearbox v = L3 l3 - 2r3h

= (0.1623)3 - (0.1563)3 (20.017520.003)
= 4.51 10-4m3.
Mass = v
= 7850 4.51 10-4
= 3.54 kg.
Weight = 9.82 3.54 = 34.7628N.
4.8.4 Weight of the Shaft

Shaft length = 1.5m
Volume = r2h
= 0.01752 1.5
50
V = 1.4432 10-3 m3
Mass=7861 1.4432 10-3=11.345kg
Weight = 7861 1.4432 10-3 9.81 = 111.294 N.
4.8.4 Weight of the cutter plate
Volume = r2h
= 0.320.01255
=3.5510-3m3
Mass =density volume
=78613.5510-3
=27.89kg
Weight =27.899.81
=273.601N
Total weight carried by the boom when the plate is empty = Weight of the gearbox + weight of gears +
weight of shaft + weight of the plate. =34.7274 + 6.0822+ 111.29445+ 273.601=425.705N
Since penetration force is 69.95N(from earlier calculations),the weight carried by the boom is sufficient
to provide this force.
Total mass carried by the boom when lifting a one-mitre column of soil
= mass of one mitre column of soil + mass carried by boom when empty.
= 562.3058 + 43.395
=605.7kg
Weight = 605.79.81 = 5941.92N.
51
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Discussion
The main aim was to design various components for a tractor driven hole-drilling machine for planting
trees and even holes for erection of electricity, telephone and fencing poles.
The engineering design approach used to design the dimensions of various components involved the
following steps:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Computing the forces and stresses expected during operation.

Selecting appropriate materials for the parts and noting their properties (yield strength, shear
strength and density).
Applying a factor of safety to the relevant property in order to get the working or allowable
stresses.
Comparing the stresses expected during operation with the allowable stresses in order to obtain
the appropriate dimension of the component.
A machine that will address the problems posed by the already existing machines as highlighted in
chapter two is proposed and fully designed using the above procedure. The designed machine is small
and hence can be used in an existing plantation. It can also drill holes of uniform diameter and can be
attached to operate on various tractor models other than the model on which the design was based on.
The weight of the components carried by the boom was found to be 425.7N and is therefore sufficient
to provide the required penetration force of 64.95N into the soil. The spring was found to occupy only
25% of the cutter plate circumference.
With an accurate fabrication, the machine should achieve the intended objective.
5.2 Conclusion
The machine component was successfully designed and has the following specifications:
a) Cutter plate
Plate thickness (h)= 12.55mm.
Diameter
= 600mm.
b) Helical compression spring.
Wire diameter Dw = 4.064 mm
Number of turns = 59
Free length Lf = 475.376 mm.
c) Shaft
52
Diameter = 45mm.
Length
= 1500mm.
(d)Bevel gears.
Pinion teeth, n = 16.
Gear teeth, N = 16.
Diametral pitch, P = 0.222
Pitch diameter, = 72mm.
Pressure angle, = 200.
Shafts are at an angle of 900 to each other.
(e) Boom.
Length = 2.12 m.
Tube diameter = 88.9 mm (3.5 inch)
5.3 Recommendations
1. Design of various diameters of the cutter plate other than 600mm should be undertaken.
2. A different approach for designing the cutter plate should be explored.
3. Cost analysis of all the components required for the machine should be done.
4. A working model of the system should be fabricated and tested.
5.4 References
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
www. aeonintl.com/treeplanterpricing.com
machinery handbook.
Soil cutting and Tillage by E. Mc Kyes.
www. Answers.com/topic/gear.com
Design of Agricultural Machinery by Gary Krutz (Purdue University), Lester Thompson
(Sundstrand corporation), Paul clear (Lowa state university)
f) www.citroparts.com.
g) Fundamentals of metal machining and machine tools by Geoffrey Boothroyd.
h) Machine design(Mechanical engineering design) by R.K. JAIN.
i) Design of plate and shell structures by Maan H. Jawad.
j) Structural mechanics on behavior of plates and shells by Jack R. Vinson.
k) Tool design for manufacturing by Mark A. Curtis.
53
l)
m)
n)
o)
p)
www.bushhog tough features.com.

Mechanics of engineering materials by P.P Benham and R.J Crawford.
www.wikipedia .com
Green Belt movement website
Mechanical engineering design by Joseph E. shigley.
54

Design tractor-driven hole drilling machine

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Design tractor-driven hole drilling machine

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UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING

PROJECT NUMBER : SMK 02/2011

SUPERVISED BY MR. S.M. KABUGO

= number of pinion teeth.

Ng = number of gear teeth.

acp = chordal addendum.

3.2 CUTTER PLATE ............................................................................................................................. 23

Hole digging methods

digging of the holes

The above method has the following limitations;

Its slow and time consuming

Proper orientation of holes is difficult to maintain

1.1.2 Mechanized methods

2.1 Tree planters

Fig.2.1.1 mechanical tree planter.

Fig2.1.2 a giant auger.

2.1.3 AEON Tree Planter

Fig. 2.1.3a AEON Tree planter (www.aeonintl.com/tree planter pricing.html)

trencher point easily accessible for changing

The complete machine weighs approximately 55okgs.

Extra heavy steel frame- 5 *1.5

2.1.4 Hand auger equipment

It is easy to use above the groundwater table.

Disadvantages of hand augers.

There are various types of hand auger equipments

Fig2.1.4c Riverside auger(www.eijkelkamp.com)

Fig.2.1.4d spiral auger and stone catcher. (www.eijkelkamp.com)

Fig.2.1.4e soft soil auger (www.eijkelkamp.com)

(Viii). Piston sampler

Fig. 2.1.4f Gouge auger and piston sampler (www.eijkelkamp.com)

2.2 Tractor Driven Post Drillers

2.3 Project justification.

2.4 Conceptual model of the proposed machine.

Two bevel gears

Plate carrying the

Fig.2.4b Open assembly of the proposed machine component.

Fig 3.1a soil cutting operation.

(ii) Neutral rake angle and

Fig.3.1c Relief angle

Fig.3.1d Nose radius

Soil cutting force.

q = surcharge pressure vertically acting on the soil surface.

The penetration force; vertical average contact pressure.

Where P = Vertical average contact pressure.

3.2 CUTTER PLATE

The mass of the soil is given by:

b = radius of the shaft bore as shown above.

and poissons ratio

p = pressure on the plate.

Fig3.2b plate loading

Table 3.2 : Coefficients

c for the plate configuration shown in the figure 3.2b

against c is drawn and extrapolated as shown below.

Graph of a/b against c"

The value of c is found to be 16.5.

Fig.3.3a Variations in helical compression springs.

Source: Machine design by R.K. JAIN pg 577

Standard wires for springs

Source: Machine design by R.K. JAIN pg 572

Fig 3.3b Principal dimensions of the spring.

wire diameter is determined from the equation