PROPOSAL TO REPLACE MATERIAL FOR WINGED TIPS USED IN SOIL PURVEYERS

Abstract

The furrowing activity is essential in sugarcane cultivation as it creates channels in the soil for planting seedlings. This process involves intense mechanical friction between the furrower and the soil, requiring durable and resistant materials to ensure the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of agricultural operations. The main objective of this work is to present a proposal for replacing the material of the winged tips used in soil furrowers, aiming to increase durability and reduce operational costs.

To achieve this objective, a comparative analysis of the materials used in the winged tips was conducted. Samples with the proposed new materials were manufactured and subjected to field tests to evaluate their performance under real usage conditions. The experiment utilized two planters of the same model: one equipped with Quard 450 steel tips and the other with original material tips. Over an entire season, equivalent to 270 days of work, it was observed that the planter equipped with Quard 450 steel tips required only 210 replacements compared to 1545 replacements of the original material tips.

The results indicated that the average daily replacements were significantly lower for the Quard 450 steel tips. Economically, there was a total savings of 82.70%, with the planter equipped with Quard 450 steel tips having a total operating cost of R$ 37,416.00, compared to R$ 216,252.00 for the planter with original material tips. Thus, the replacement of the winged tips material with Quard 450 steel proved to be feasible and beneficial, providing a more efficient and economical alternative for sugarcane producers. The new materials not only increased the durability of the tips but also significantly reduced operational costs and machine downtime.