Performance Evaluation of MPKV Hydraulic Check Basin Former under Different Operating Conditions in Chhattisgarh, India
R. K. Naik
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Virendra Kumar
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Geeta Patel *
Agricultural Engineering (FMPE) CARS, Raigarh, IGKV, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Shreya Thakur
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Ankush Jaiswal
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Karan Mandal
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Mechanised check basin formation offers a means of preparing earthen bunds for in situ rainwater conservation, but the operating performance of the MPKV hydraulic check basin former requires evaluation under local field conditions.
Aims: To evaluate the field performance of the MPKV hydraulic check basin former under different operating conditions.
Study Design: A split-split plot design with three replications was used, with three levels each of forward speed (2, 3 and 4 km/h), soil moisture content (12, 15 and 20% dry basis) and basin distance (4, 5 and 6 m).
Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted during the academic year 2025–26 at the instructional farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Methodology: Machine performance was assessed in clay soil (Vertisol) in terms of bund height, effective working width, theoretical field capacity, effective field capacity, field efficiency, wheel slip and fuel consumption.
Results: Bund height ranged from 167.17 to 180.67 mm, with the maximum at 3 km/h, 15% soil moisture and 6 m basin distance. Mean effective working width at 2, 3 and 4 km/h was 1.970, 2.076 and 1.929 m, respectively. Theoretical field capacity ranged from 0.40 to 0.80 ha/h and effective field capacity from 0.30 to 0.77 ha/h; the highest mean effective field capacity was 0.681 ha/h at 4 km/h. Field efficiency ranged from 76.60 to 97.30%, wheel slip from 3.41 to 5.41%, and average fuel consumption was 3.11 l/h (6.10 l/ha).
Conclusion: The MPKV hydraulic check basin former performed satisfactorily under the evaluated field conditions, although operating settings should be selected according to the desired bund geometry and field capacity.
Keywords: Hydraulic check basin former, check basin formation, bund height, tractor forward speed, soil moisture content, basin distance, effective working width, field capacity, field efficiency, wheel slip