Evaluation of garden tools set and its performance characteristics

Abstract

A laboratory and field trial program were undertaken by Automotive Development Centre to determine the performance of a garden tools set consisting of an engine, pruner, trimmer, blower and auxiliaries. The garden tools set was produced to apply three types of tools (pruner, trimmer and blower) operated using one source of prime mover. The tools will be connected to the engine by a “plug and play” quick coupling. The tools are powered by two stroke engine of 27cc capacity. The scopes of this experimental work are to measure the pruner cutting rate, trimmer cutting rate, blower thrust force and garden tools noise test. All tests are done at variable speed of engine. The measured parameter for the pruner cutting rate is the area of branch (mm2) per cutting time (second) with difference thickness and for the trimmer cutting rate, the parameter is the area of grass space (mm2) per cutting time (minute) with difference length. Whilst for the blower thrust test, the blower force is measured by the weight machine with the difference distance. The noise test was performed to the garden tools at difference speeds and locations. From this work, the result for each tool is determined. The cutting rate of the trimmer is at the range of 3.22 to 4.55 mm2/min, whereas for the pruner is from 500 to 1210 mm2/sec. The thrust measured for the blower is between 30 to 105 kg/ms2. The noise level generated by the garden tools is at the range of 61 to 94 dB when operating from 1000 to 7000 rpm.