Date of Award
12-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Plant and Environmental Science
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Kendall R. Kirk
Committee Member
Dr. Daniel J. Anco
Committee Member
Dr. Aaron P. Turner
Abstract
Presented research was conducted at Clemson University’s Edisto Research and Education Center to quantify harvest related losses associated with the effects of peanut digger blade geometry, the effects of the peanut digger inversion assembly, and the effects of vine load on digging and strategies to address vine load. Three studies were performed to determine the potential losses incurred during the digging processes; various harvest metrics were analyzed to quantify the effects of the treatments. Five objectives guided the presented research. Objectives of the effects of peanut digger blade geometry study investigated the impact of blade geometry and blade aggression on recovered yield, blade depth, and stability. Objectives of the effects of the peanut digger inversion assembly included an investigation of the effects of the current digger inversion assembly on recovered yield and above ground losses. The effects of vine load on digging and strategies to address vine load studies research was guided by three objectives, which address vine load control methods, mechanical vine load control strategies, and methods to monitor vine load conditions within the digger. Digging operations utilized a two-row automated depth controlled KMC 2‑38 peanut digger while digging the peanut variety FloRun 331 in 2018 and 2019, and Emery in 2020; all plots were planted and dug with the use of autosteer. Tests were conducted in two-row plots of consistent lengths, respective to the study year. Recovered yield data was collected in 2019 and 2020 studies using a 2-row plot combine. Combine settings were consistent throughout the duration of harvest. Results from the testing demonstrated significantly improved recovered yields in the effects of peanut digger blade geometry study; in the most adverse digging conditions tested recovered yield increased by 532 kg ha-1 (475 lb ac-1). The inversion assembly was found to result in significantly increased above ground mechanical losses by as much 23 kg ha-1 (21 lb ac-1) when peanuts were dug at 4.0 kph (2.5 mph). The effects of vine load on digging and strategies to address vine load study indicated recovered yield improvements of 275 kg ha-1 (245 lb ac-1) when vine mass was reduced with the plant growth regulator Apogee. Further, reduced total above ground losses were found with standard rod spacing treatments and conveyor speeds of 85% to 100% of ground speeds independently. The investigation of methods to monitor vine load conditions determined that the application of vine speed sensing significantly detected speed differences across harvest conditions. The data suggested substantial effects on digging depth, depth stability, recovered yield, above ground losses, and inversion ratings as a function of the various treatments defined, and a quantification of these effects are reported.
Recommended Citation
Samenko, Loren, "Sources of Peanut Digging Losses and Strategies to Reduce Losses During Inversion" (2021). All Theses. 3685.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/3685