Testing
Here, you will see the testing procedure and a small video of the system operating while being tested.
Procedure
Introduction:
Test one will begin with testing the speed of the device. The requirement for the device was to be 75% quicker when raising or lowering the booms. According to the analysis, the unit should run far faster than 75% with the hydraulics turned up on the tractor. For this test, the hydraulics will not be ran fully open.
Method/Approach:
To begin this test there a few things one might need. They will need another person to operate the tractor and run the hydraulics from the cab. The other person will be outside with the stopwatch to record the time from when the booms begin moving, to when the booms stop moving. Before any testing is done, make sure the tractor has fuel and the hydraulic fluid is full. This will ensure enough run time on the tractor and a good flow of hydraulic fluid. Once these checks have been completed, the tractor may be started. This test will be ran with both hydraulic booms being activated at the same time. To test the time for the booms to reach road mode, the operator is to start the booms straight out, level with the center section of the sprayer. Then the opertor is to start retracting the booms until they stop. After recording this time, repeat it at least three times.
The data will be record on a chart with time slots. This test will be completed four times to get a good set of data. These numbers that are recorded will be averaged and then will be compared against the manual setup time to determine if the hypothesis of correct or not.
Test Procedure:
This test will be completed on Friday, April 8th at 1:00 pm. The test will be performed at SOF farms. This will take approximately one hour to completed the test start to finish, including setup and take down time.
Steps:
1.Gather materials. (Tractor, stopwatch, data sheet, operator)
2.Check the tractor has diesel and hydraulic fluid is full.
3.Start tractor.
4.Get operator into tractor.
5.Stand back at a safe distance away from the booms.
6.Begin the test.
7.Start stopwatch when the booms begin to move up.
8.Stop stopwatch once the hydraulics are fully retracted.
9.Record time on data sheet.
10.Repeat steps 6-10 two more times.
It is very important that the operator and the person operating the stopwatch can
both see each other incase of emergency. The timer should stand directly behind
the sprayer in line with operator. This will minimize the risk of this test.