Effect of Feeding Radius on Distribution Uniformity in Twin-Disc Fertilizer Broadcaster

Abstract. Disc broadcasters are the most widely used machines in fertilizer distributing application. Various parameters have effects on the distribution uniformity in these machines. In this study, determination of the effects of various feeding radius on the distribution uniformity was aimed. Special apparatus was developed and placed to bottom of the twin disc broadcaster hopper to adjust the feeding radius while conducting experiments. Different feeding radii were determined as 35, 50, 65 and 80 mm respectively. Twin disc broadcaster used in the study was manufactured with 80 mm feeding radius. Urea fertilizer was used in the experiments as distribution material. Other parameters like vane height, vane angle, fertilizer flow rate and peripheral speed, kept constant at the most proper conditions. Evaluation of the results was made according to the coefficient of variance (CV, %) and right/left rate of distributed fertilizer. As a result of the study, reducing on feeding radius increased CV values which indicate linearly deterioration of distribution uniformity.