- Docente: Massimiliano Varani
- Credits: 6
- SSD: AGR/09
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Marketing and Economics of the agro-industrial system (cod. 8526)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student has the knowledge to make the correct selection of agricultural machineries, both from a technical and an economic point of view, according to the different cultivation operations and business conditions.
Course contents
Elements of Physics and basic mechanics (10 hours).Units of measurement, vectors, force, moment, kinematics, work, energy, power, efficiency, fluids, elements of thermodynamics, reading of a technical drawing.
The tractor (17 hours): historical evolution, classifications and main types; engine characteristic curves; transmissions and main gearboxes types, protection frames, vibrations, suspensions, dynamic balance
The tractor-agricultural machine linkage (4 hours): three-point hitch, trailer hitch, hook traction efficiency, power take-off.
Fodder harvesting (6 hours): cutting machines, conditioning and harvesting.
Soil tillage (6 hours): hints of soil mechanics, conventional tillage, minimum tillage, no-till farming.
Cereal harvesting machines (2 hours): combine harvester
Fruit harvesting machines (2 hours): harvesting carts, grape harvesters.
Crop defense machines (2 hours): orchard and herbaceous crop sprayers.
Introduction to Biogas, economical and technical evaluation (2 hours)
Economic evaluation and sizing of the machine park (3 hours)
Practice exercises and field tests (6 hours): visit to the experimental center of Cadriano, field tests with machines.
Readings/Bibliography
Lessons notes
Physics books
"Fondamenti di fisica", D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Agricultural mechanization books
"Engineering Principles of Agricultural Machines", 2nd ed. St. Joseph, Michigan: ASABE, Copyright American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
"Meccanica agraria. Le macchine agricole", P. Biondi, UTET
"Meccanica Agraria (Vol.I)", G.Pellizzi, Edagricole
"Choosing and Using Farm Machines", B. Witney, Land Technology
Teaching methods
The course is composed by lectures in the classroom and exercises in the laboratory.
Assessment methods
Agricultural Mechanization Technique is a module of the integrated course 'AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION, IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE', therefore the final exam will be carried out only at the end of the lessons of both modules of the the Integrated Course.
The AMT exam is oral only and consists of 3 questions related to the topics covered during the course. (Duration about 20/30 min)
The final grade is calculated as the arithmetic average between the results of both components of integrated course
It should be noted that the verbalising teacher is Prof. Toscano.
It is possible to do the exam in English.
Teaching tools
Laboratory tools and materials.
Visits to the Experimental Center of Cadriano.
Participation in the procedures for the characterization of agricultural machineries.
Office hours
See the website of Massimiliano Varani