Research in Mechanisation on peat soil in Malaysia
Paper presented at International Symposium on Tropical
Peatland, 6-10 May 1991 Kuching, Malaysia
Author: H.S.Ooi
ABSTRACT
Efforts to develop more peatland for agriculture has been
hampered by the difficulty to mechanise crop production on
peat. The constraints to mechanisation on peat were
identified as (a) the very low load bearing capacity of the
soil (b) the presence of large quantities of undecomposed
wood in the peat soil (c) the high water table level or
water-logged condition of existing peatland (d) the effect of
soil subsidence causing buried wood to be exposed. Research
in mechanisation on peat soil was undertaken by MARDI since
1979. Basic studies on mechanical properties of peat soil and
on machine mobility on peat were carried out to understand
the behavior and characteristics of peat and their
interrelationships with machinery design parameters. From the
studies on mechanical clearing of the undecomposed wood in
peat, it was found that the mini-excavator was suitable both
functionally and economically in areas which are adequately
drained for its usage. The mini-excavator was also suitable
for field drain construction and maintenance, soil leveling
and clearing of shrubs. Various soft soil transporters were
tested, evaluated and compared. A tractor cum transporter
for peat was successfully designed and developed by MARDI in
1986. For efficient mechanisation on peat, the necessary
physical conditions of the farm must be planned for and
provided at the land clearing stage.
ABSTRAK
Mekanisasi atas gambut adalah payah dan oleh kerana ini
pembangunan kawasan gambut untuk pertanian secara besar-
besaran sedang terhalang. Antara faktor-faktor penghalangan
ialah (a) kelembutan tanah gambut yang tidak dapat menapung
jentera yang berat (b) banyaknya tunggul dan batang kayu yang
belum reput (c) aras air yang tinggi dan (d) penurunan paras
permukaan tanah gambut. Penyelidikan mekanisasi atas gambut
dimulakan di MARDI pada tahun 1979. Penyelidikan dijalankan
termasuk kajian ciri fisikal tanah gambut dan perhubungannya
dengan penggunaan jentera; kajian pembersihan tunggul dan
batang kayu secara berjentera; dan ujian jentera-jentera
pengangkutan. Sebuah jentera jenkaut kecil telah didapati
sesuai untuk kerja-kerja penyelenggaraan saperti pembinaan
dan pembersihan parit ladang, dan pembersihan tunggul dan
semak. Sebuah traktor/jentera angkut untuk gambut telah
dicipta oleh MARDI pada tahun 1986. Untuk mekanisasi yang
sempurna, kaedah fisikal ladang yang diperlukan mesti
dirancangkan dan dilengkapkan pada awal-awalnya.
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