Walking tractor field tests in Uganda.
Testing and evaluation of the performance of the Siam Kubota walking tractors was carried out in sample districts like Soroti for Eastern region, Mukono for Central Bushenyi for South and Kitgum for the North. Results of the testing and evaluation indicated that the tractor could successfully open up land in light soils.
It was also observed that the tractor could transport farm produce and goods of up to 1,000 kilogrammes on a simple trailer, which can be fabricated locally.
The current walking tractor models use diesel and are of power range 8 HP to 4HP. The 12 HP Kubota walking tractor can do all operation in the value chain and primary processing.
Each of the walking tractor units was supplied with standard implements, which include disc plough, mould board plough and a harrow (rake).
They were also supplied with implements like the planter, disc and mould board ridger.
Technical performance:
Ploughing: A power tiller can plough 1.6 acres in a day with eight litres of diesel worth about sh50,000 including labour.
Harrowing: Seed bed preparation is done on previously ploughed garden to attain finer seed bed free of unwanted materials in readiness for planting. This operation is achieved using a harrower. One acre needs two to three litres of diesel in and the work done in less than two hours.
Weeding: Weeding needs the use of a weeder to remove unwanted plants in short period. Water pumping: A water pump is attached to the engine using support bracket with power transmitted through attached belts to utilise pumped water. On the farm, the water is used for irrigation, watering livestock and domestic purposes.
Transport: They can transport agricultural produce and people up to a capacity of 1,000kgs.
Agro-processing: The power tiller engine can run various primary processing equipment such as maize shellers, saw mills, grinding mills, rice shellers, and forage choppers.
