Design and development of a tractor cum transporter 
for peatland in Malaysia

Source : MARDI Report No.128  (1989)

Author : Ooi, H.S. 

ABSTRACT

Work on the project was initiated in 1981. First the role of the machine in terms of mobility and functions were accurately defined. Then the range of peat conditions in which it will be used were established. The allowable nominal ground contact pressure of the machine for the softest terrain to be designed for was determined. The horsepower required was estimated and special design features of the machine were determined. Existing machines were field-tested and evaluated to verify and establish the design solutions obtained. The final design specifications of the machine were prepared and a prototype unit was built with the assistance of a local agricultural machinery manufacturer in 1986. Various field trials and machine design modification were carried out on the prototype machine. It was found to be suitable for use on soft peat where the watertable was more than 30 cm below the soil surface. It was suitable for soil rotary cultivation, infield transportation of up to 1 t and other field operations. The prototype unit was named MALTRAK. The anticipated price of a commercial version of MALTRAK inclusive of the rotary cultivator was less than M$30 000 (Ringgit).

ABSTRAK

Projek ini telah dimulakan pada tahun 1981. Pada peringkat permulaan, peranan jentera daripada segi daya gerak dan fungsinya telah ditetapkan. Keadaan dan ciri tanah gambut tempat jentera tersebut akan digunakan telah ditinjaupastikan. Spesifikasi berkenaan dengan tekanan jentera pada tanah yang sesuai, kuasa-kuda enjin yang diperlukan dan ciri-ciri istimewa jentera yang mustahak telah disediakan. Jentera-jentera yang sedia ada telah diujinilai untuk menilaipastikan and menentukan kesesuaian spesifikasi- spesifikasi yang telah disediakan itu. Berikutan dengan ini, sebuah jentera yang memenuhi keperluan yang ditetapkan telah direkabentuk dan telah dibina dengan kerjasama sebuah kilang tempatan pada tahun 1986. Jentera prototaip ini telah diujikan dalam berbagai-bagai keadaan tanah gambut dan didapati sesuai untuk kawasan gambut dengan aras air di bawah permukaan tanah melebihi 30 cm. Jentera ini telah didapati sesuai untuk pembajakan tanah, pengangkutan dalam ladang sehingga 1 t dan sebagainya. Jentera ini telah dinamakan MALTRAK. Harga pasaran seunit jentera MALTRAK termasuk alat tambah pembajak dianggarkan kurang daripada M$30 000 (Ringgit).

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