2. Parts of A.T.H.A.R.V.A
Hydraulic Areca Cutter
Hydraulic Blade Vertical Shaft Hydraulic Unloader
Fixed Blade Horizontal Shaft
Additional Installments
Soil Water Monitoring System
Hydraulic Weed Puller
Hydraulic Fertilizer Gun
Hydraulic Fertilizer Spray
3. The Hydraulic Areca Cutter
This is the main part of the project along with some other features which
are optional though useful. This basically eliminates the need for a man to
climb up the palm with a sickle in his hand and cut the bushel. A man can
sit in his van look at the bushel he wants through the cameras fixed in the
shafts(optional) and through the machine pluck out all the arecanuts he
wants.
4. Hydraulic Blade
This is a blade which moves to and fro thus cutting the areca bushel. The
Hydraulic blade grazes the Fixed blade and the bushel gets separated. The
hydraulic blade used can be of two types - Single Joint Blade and Dual
Joint Blade. The hydraulic blade traces an arc around the bushel before
applying pressure to the stem and thus cut it. The Dual Joint blade can be
used to trace a wider arc and reach out to tougher positions.
Individual Part Description
5. Individual Part Description
Fixed Blade
This is a stationary blade and doesn’t move. It can be withdrawn and
sheathed within the Horizontal Shaft or the Rafter as is the case when not
in requirement. This when comes in contact with the hydraulic blade
procures the desired result as already stated.
6. Individual Part Description
Vertical Shaft
This is the substitute for the manual climbing as you don't have to climb the
areca plant at all but sit in your vehicle and control the hydraulic system
and let the technology do the magic! The vertical shaft on the application
of energy, either manual or mechanical through distribution of pressure in
accordance with Pascal’s law rises up and reaches the required height.
This greatly benefits the farmers who might have labourer problems or are
accident prone. This can be modified to a less bulky system which is
easier to operate but challenging to construct and uses more power. A
modification to be included in ATHARVA2.
7. Individual Part Description
Horizontal Shaft
This is another shaft which adjusts the width. It is used to take the blades
closer or far away from the bushels. It also doubles up as a sheath for the
blades and the two blades are fixed on this part. There are two such parts
in the standard model but it can be reduced to one more efficient shaft
with a rotating base to ease the workload and give a wider range for
application. To be Included in ATHARVA2 .
8. Individual Part Description
Hydraulic Unloader
This is basically the principle used in dump trucks or log splitters. It collects
all the areca bushels and through its inclined plane rolls them down.This
may not be of much use in Areca cutters but certainly is advantageous
when you want to cut areca flowers (called Pingaara in the local language
used for devotional and decorative purposes and in fairs in small town India)
or tender coconuts which get damaged on falling from greater heights.
9. The Hydraulic Weed Puller
This is a basic setup consisting of a standard weed remover attatched to a
hydraulic system. This is optional but the added advantage is that you
dont have to supply any energy for its working. The motion of the vehicle
is enough to power it. When the weed puller is moved by the hydraulic
application, the weeds are cut - As simple as that!
10. Hydraulic Fertilization Unit
This contains a fertilizer can and an outlet pipe to spray the liquid
fertilizer. Here we have 2 liquids, one our hydraulic fluid and the other is
the fertilizer and we should take care that the two don't mix up. When
the tank is pressurized due to hydraulic application, the liquid fertilizer
takes the outlet path thus reducing pressure - According the the Pascal’s
Principle.
