Dimensional analysis of the adequacy of agricultural machinery for biomass handling in agroforestry systems /Analise dimensional da adequacao de maquinas agricolas para manejo de biomassa em sistemas agroflorestais

• Published in: Revista brasileira de engenharia agrícola e ambiental Vol. 29; no. 10; p. 1
• Main Authors: de Morais, Gelton F, Han, Daniela, da Santos, Jenyffer S.G, Filho, Luiz O. Ramos, Xavier, Marcelo G.B, Schimidt, Leonardo, de Souza, Hugo T, de Castro, Fernanda T, Garcia, Angel P, Albiero, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: ATECEL--Associacao Tecnico Cientifica Ernesto Luiz de Oliveira Junior 01.10.2025
• Subjects: Agricultural ecology; Agricultural equipment and supplies industry; Analysis; Farm tractors; International economic relations; Machinery; Magneto-electric machines; Tractors; Brazil
• ISSN: 1415-4366
• DOI: 10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v29n10e290222

Agroforestry Systems (AFS) integrate trees, agronomic crops and forage species, focusing on agricultural sustainability and productivity. However, the lack of specific mechanization for AFS limits their efficiency. This research aimed to assess the adequacy of existing agricultural machinery for biomass handling in AFS and thus contribute to solving the issue of lack of specific mechanization in AFS for family farming, in order to foster the expansion of AFS lands. This study assessed three types of machinery for handling Mombaca grass (Megathyrsus maximus Jacq): coastal brushcutter(CBC), tractor-mounted rotary brushcutter (RBC), and mini grain reaper machine (GRM) throughout three cutting cycles. The dimensional analysis and Likert scale methods were employed for assessment of cutting height, handling time, labor cost, fuel consumption, regrowth speed, dry matter weight, and raking time of cut grass. Obtained through dimensional analysis, Pi-terms [[PI].sub.1] and [[PI].sub.3] represent, respectively, the treatment's quality of cut and financial cost. The binomial [[PI].sub.1] * [[PI].sub.3] represents the cost-benefit ratio. CBC was suitable for small areas, to guarantee better grass regrowth rate, and higher biomass production, while providing the best cost-benefit ratio for fuel. GRM was the most adequate for obtaining the lowest operational costs, the lowest time required for raking up cut grass, higher biomass production, providing the best financial estimate for fuel. RBC was indicated for faster work, handling atnigher scales, and considerably reduced physical strain. Key words: Megathyrsus maximus Jacq, agroecosystems, mechanization, family farming, forest farming Sistemas Agroflorestais (SAFs) integram arvores, culturas de interesse agronomico e forrageiras, visando sustentabilidade agricola e produtividade. Contudo, a falta de mecanizacao especifica para SAFs limita sua eficiencia. Esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar a adequacao das maquinas agricolas no manejo da biomassa em SAFs e contribuir para a solucao do problema da falta de mecanizacao especificapara SAFs cultivados pela agricultura familiar. O estudo avaliou tres tipos de maquinas para o manejo do capim Mombaca (Megathyrsus maximus Jacq): rocadora costal (CBC), rocadora rotativa montada ao trator (RBC) e mini colhedora de graos (GRM) ao longo de tres ciclos de corte. Os metodos da analise dimensional e escala Likert foram empregados para a avaliacao da altura de corte, tempo de manejo, custo de mao de obra, consumo de combustivel, velocidade de rebrota, peso de materia seca e tempo de amontoa. Os Pi-termos [[PI].sub.1] e [[PI].sub.3] representam, respectivamente, a qualidade do corte e o custo financeiro. O binomio [[PI].sub.1] * [[PI].sub.3] representa a relacao custo-beneficio. A CBC foi adequada para pequenas areas, garantindo melhor vigor de rebrote, maior produfao de biomassa e expressou a melhor relacao custo-beneficio. A GRM foi indicada para obter os menores custos operacionais, o tempo mais rapido necessario para amontoar o capim cortado, a maior producao de biomassa e a melhor previsao financeira de custo com combustivel. A RBC foi adequada para realizar o trabalho mais rapidamente, para manejo em escalas maiores e para reduzir consideravelmente o esforco fisico. Palavras-chave: Megathyrsus maximus Jacq, agroecossistemas, mecanizacao, agricultura familiar, agricultura florestal