Comparison of performance of infield collector-transporter and mini tractor-trailer with grabber oil palm Malaysia

Mutasim Ali, . and Azmi Yahya, . Comparison of performance of infield collector-transporter and mini tractor-trailer with grabber oil palm Malaysia. pp. 707-720. ISSN 0126-575X

Large expansions in oil palm cultivation together with the rapid growth in manufacturing industry have put tremendous strain on the labour force in Malaysia. A four-wheeled hydrostatic drive integrated prototype machine known as FFB collector-transporter has been designed developed and tested to improve labour productivity for infield evacuation of fresh fruit bunches in the oil palm plantation. This prototype machine is capable of collecting the fresh fruit bunches in the field and transporting them diectly into the mainline transporter at the roadside. The machine construction consists of the main chassis and driving unit collection assembly operator cab scissors lift-type fruit bin and associated hydraulic control unit. The various functional components within the machine are hydraulically operated under an automated sequential mode from a solenoid control unit in the operator cab. The original FFB collector-transporter showed average improvemnts of 10.2 per cent in the total collection time reduction of 62.8 per cent in loose fruits and increase of 34.1 per cent in fuel consumption over the mini tractor-trailer with grabber under the controlled laboratory test. The projected average machine output for the FFB collector-transporter and mini tractor-trailer with grabber were 42.43 and 38.71 tonnes per day respectively. The FFB collector-transporter after modifications showed average improvement of 56.9 per cent in the total collection time an increase of 35.5 per cent in the machine output and reductions of 130.9 and 16.1 per cent in loose fruits and fuel consumption over the mini tractor-trailer with grabber. The projected average machine output for the FFB collector-transporter after modification was about 60 tonnes per day. FFB collector-transporter showed a projected average machine output and machine capacity of 34 tonnes per day and 4.2 tonnes per hour under the field test at a calculated collection-transportation cost of RM5.08 for every tonne of fresh fruit bunches. These performance and cost parameters are expected to vary with different crop yields and terrain conditions. Collection and transportation cost reduction of 16.6 per cent per tonne or a cost saving of RM0.85 for every tonne of fresh fruit bunches was obtained with FFB collector-transporter over the mini tractor-trailer with grabber. The FFB collector-transporter has big potentials for positive contributions towards high labour productivity and better cost economy in the oil palm plantation mechanisation in Malaysia.

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Abstract

Large expansions in oil palm cultivation together with the rapid growth in manufacturing industry have put tremendous strain on the labour force in Malaysia. A four-wheeled hydrostatic drive integrated prototype machine known as FFB collector-transporter has been designed developed and tested to improve labour productivity for infield evacuation of fresh fruit bunches in the oil palm plantation. This prototype machine is capable of collecting the fresh fruit bunches in the field and transporting them diectly into the mainline transporter at the roadside. The machine construction consists of the main chassis and driving unit collection assembly operator cab scissors lift-type fruit bin and associated hydraulic control unit. The various functional components within the machine are hydraulically operated under an automated sequential mode from a solenoid control unit in the operator cab. The original FFB collector-transporter showed average improvemnts of 10.2 per cent in the total collection time reduction of 62.8 per cent in loose fruits and increase of 34.1 per cent in fuel consumption over the mini tractor-trailer with grabber under the controlled laboratory test. The projected average machine output for the FFB collector-transporter and mini tractor-trailer with grabber were 42.43 and 38.71 tonnes per day respectively. The FFB collector-transporter after modifications showed average improvement of 56.9 per cent in the total collection time an increase of 35.5 per cent in the machine output and reductions of 130.9 and 16.1 per cent in loose fruits and fuel consumption over the mini tractor-trailer with grabber. The projected average machine output for the FFB collector-transporter after modification was about 60 tonnes per day. FFB collector-transporter showed a projected average machine output and machine capacity of 34 tonnes per day and 4.2 tonnes per hour under the field test at a calculated collection-transportation cost of RM5.08 for every tonne of fresh fruit bunches. These performance and cost parameters are expected to vary with different crop yields and terrain conditions. Collection and transportation cost reduction of 16.6 per cent per tonne or a cost saving of RM0.85 for every tonne of fresh fruit bunches was obtained with FFB collector-transporter over the mini tractor-trailer with grabber. The FFB collector-transporter has big potentials for positive contributions towards high labour productivity and better cost economy in the oil palm plantation mechanisation in Malaysia.

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Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Summary (En)
AGROVOC Term:	ELAEIS GUINEENSIS
AGROVOC Term:	PALM OILS
AGROVOC Term:	OILS INDUSTRY
AGROVOC Term:	TRACTORS
AGROVOC Term:	TRAILERS
AGROVOC Term:	HANDLING MACHINERY
AGROVOC Term:	MACHINERY INDUSTRY
AGROVOC Term:	HANDLING
AGROVOC Term:	MALAYSIA ELAEIS GUINEENSIS
AGROVOC Term:	ACEITES DE PALMAS
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:52
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/17993

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