Farming Machinery

Instructor: Assoc. Prof. SHIKANAI Takeshi

Credits: ２ (once a week for 90 minutes)

Term: Fall Semester

Day and Time: Thursday, 1250-1420

Office hour　　Monday　15:30-17:30 or Any time with an advance appointment

tshikana@agr.u-ryukyu.ac.jp

tel. 098-895-8771　　

Room No. 267 (Agr. Building)

http://www.cc.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/~tshikana (http://www.cc.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/%7Etshikana)

1. Course objective and method

Japanese farmers have only 1-hectare farmland, that is 2.5 acres. So Japanese farmers are small-scale farmers. There are many agricultural countries that have mainly small-scale farms, especially in Asia. When these farms are mechanized, it is challenging for farmers because it is difficult for farmers to own farm machines due to high prices. However, Japanese farmer perfectly mechanized rice production system. In this lecture, by comparing the history of the agricultural mechanization of Japan with that of other countries, such as the U. S., we clarify the secret of success of mechanization in Japan.

The agriculture is the industry that affects the cultural and social condition of the people.

For example, the rice cultivation of Japan becomes a basis of the daily life custom and culture of people in farming village. So, learning the agriculture of one country is connected with the learning the culture of the country. I try to show the combination in the Japanese farm mechanization with the Japanese culture in the lecture.

And also, I will show you the up-to-date technology in agricultural engineering. For example, the system of environmental protection type agricultural or sustainable agriculture that use the computer and electronic technology for appropriate crop management.

I have to tell you that this class is collateral class with Japanese student. Japanese student of the agricultural faculty of about 10 persons will participate. I would want to have an active discussion between international student and Japanese student who have different agricultural background. I hope that you and Japanese students will learn the function of the agricultural machine used in present agriculture in the world and discuss the ideal form of future agricultural mechanization in any countries.

The importance is not put in a mathematical knowledge in my class. I put the importance on the understanding the social importance of agricultural mechanization, and the thinking the view of agriculture in the future.

2. Course contents (tentative)

Week 1　 10/9　 Course guidance　(Text pp.1-20, p21)

Week ２　10/16　Canceled (No class)

Week ３　10/23　Development history of the agricultural machine of Japan (Text pp.22-30, pp.31-57, pp.58-70, pp.71-86)

Week ４　10/30 Canceled　(No class)

Week ５　11/6　 Canceled due to the preparation for RYUDAI Festival (No class)

Week ６　11/13　Engineering basic knowledge on the agricultural machine (Text pp.87-91)

Week ７　11/20 Tractor (Structure and mechanism, The control system of the implement) (Text pp.92-106, pp.107-113)

Week ８　11/27 Soil tillage1 (Mechanical properties of soils) (Text pp.114-119)

Week ９　12/4 Soil tillage2 (Mechanics of tillage tools) (Text pp.120-150)

Week 10　12/11　The regeneration of the agriculture of Japan (Video) (Text pp.151-152)

Week 11　12/18　 Midterm examination

(Year-end holidays)

Week 12　１/８　Grain harvesting (Mechanisms, Functional process) (Text pp.153-171)

Week 13　１/15　Crop planting and chemical application (Text pp.172-190)

Week 14　１/22　Agricultural safety and health for engineers (Text pp.191-192)

Week 15　１/29　Agricultural mechanization strategy (Text pp.193-200)

Week 16　２/５　The up-to –date technology (Precision agriculture) (Text pp.201-208)

Week 18 ２/12　Extra day for Monday class (No class)

Week 19 ２/19　 Term examination

3. Teaching materials

Handouts will be given to students.

4. Grading

Grading is based on participation in the discussion on the topics of class　(20%), homework (30%), Midterm exam (20 %), and Term exam (30%).

5. Goal in the class

１． It is possible to describe the feature of the agricultural mechanization of Japan. And, the agricultural mechanization of Japan is characterized from the viewpoint as the country which is located in Asia from the viewpoint of the comparison with U.S.A.. In addition, it is possible to consider the agricultural machine expected in the future.

２． The agricultural machine system for mechanizing paddy field rice cultivation can be explained. It is possible to raise the agricultural machine used for paddy field rice cultivation along the farm work system, and it can explain the structure and mechanisms and performance, etc..

３． The engineering calculation problem on simple agricultural machine is solved. For example, the calculation of the power necessary for the traction work is completed.

４． The basis to consider the agricultural machine theoretically is constructed. For example, is it possible that you object the idea that the agricultural machine is the poison for the farmers because the mechanization increases the debt?

6. References (All books is available in the university library.)

　Srivastava, A. K. et al: Engineering Principles of Agricultural Machines, ASAE

　Murphy, D. J.: Safety and Health for Production Agriculture, ASAE

　Kondo, A. et al: Robotics for Bioproduction Systems, ASAE

The Japanese Society of Agricultural Machinery, Introduction to Japanese agricultural machinery　Tractors and Implements, 1994

The Japanese Society of Agricultural Machinery, Introduction to Japanese agricultural machinery　Machines for planting, spraying, harvesting and grain processing, 1995

The Japanese Society of Agricultural Machinery, Introduction to Japanese agricultural machinery　Machines for roughage, vegetable, orchard, transportation and horticultural facility, 1996