HOVERCRAFT FOR IN-FIELD OPERATION IN OIL PALM
ESTATE WITH SOFT GROUND AREAS
322
by: MOHD SOLAH DERAMAN; AHMAD HITAM; ABD RAHIM SHUIB; ABDUL RAZAK JELANI;
MOHAMMAD BORHAN SELAMAT; AMINULRASHID MOHAMED and NORDIN SALLEH
MPOB INFORMATION SERIES • ISSN 1511-7871 • JUNE 2006 MPOB TT No. 315
T
he physical characteristics of peat soil DESIGN CONCEPT
limits its mechanization. Another limitation
is the rising debris from the sinking of the An air-cushion vehicle, or hovercraft, is defined as a
soil. The protruding debris - old logs or surface vehicle supported by a cushion of pressurized
stumps - obstruct the movement of air. The cushion performs two basic functions; viz.,
machines and may also damage the under-carriage. to lift the vehicle off the ground, thus eliminating
Thus, it is important to consider seriously these limiting surface contact and the associated resistance, and to
factors when introducing machines for peat areas. provide the vehicle with a suspension system. The
principle is based on fan drawing air from around
The development of in-field machines for peat is the vehicle and pumping it down under the hull. This
difficult due to the additional constraints of the soil. air is contained within the skirt trapping it between
Peat, being light, has an extremely low bearing load the hull and ground. As soon as the pressure under
capacity, which may cause the machines to bog the vehicle exceeds its weight, the vehicle will rise.
down. Thus, the machine must be as light as Once the vehicle is clear from the ground, there is no
possible. Hence, there is a limitation to its weight friction between it and ground, and only a small
and carrying capacity. thrust is required for movement. Under this
OBJECTIVE
condition, there is no ground contact, and virtually
no ground pressure (Figure 1).
To develop a hovercraft for transporting FFB in peat. OTHER DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
BENEFITS In addition, the following factors were considered:
• the machine can transport FFB from the field to
• Enable mechanization on peat areas which are roadside;
currently worked manually. • the machine can also transport agricultural
• Increase worker productivity. inputs such as fertilizers, chemicals and water
• No ground contact, hence, no compaction and for weed control; and
rutting problem. • simple to operate.
No ground contact
Vehicle { No ground pressure
Vehicle Structure
Flexible
Structure
Source: Homework (2004). http://www.homework.com
Figure 1. Principle of air-cushion vehicle.
Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Malaysia
P. O. Box 10620, 50720 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: 03-89259155, 89259775, Website: http://mpob.gov.my Telefax: 03-89259446
PROTOTYPE MACHINE Functional tests of the prototype were done prior to
field trials in the estates (Figures 4 and 5). From these
This machine incorporates special features to tests, technical improvements were made.
overcome the difficulties in mobility on peat soil as
well as providing an alternative means for handling FIELD TRIALS
fresh fruit bunches (FFB) collection. The machine
consisted of a flat-deck craft made from fibre Field trials were carried out in estates where this
reinforced plastic (FRP) with two engines mounted
machine was most suitable. The trials were aimed at:
on board. These two engines are for lifting and
• assessing the machine’s mobility and efficiency;
providing thrust to the craft.
• establishing the machine’s operating system;
The prototype machine utilizes a bag skirt to • establishing its productivity; and
contain compressed air when in operation. The • monitoring its robustness.
engine for lifting enables the craft to hover at all
times during loading and unloading FFB. The craft The machine was tested on peat (Figures 5 and 6).
moves forward only when the throttle is applied on From these trials, the productivity ranged from 12 to
the thrust engine (Figure 2). 15 t per day (eight effective working hours). Three
workers were involved, one driver and two FFB
loaders (Table 1).
Rudder
Thrust
Engine
Lift Engine
Bucket
Figure 2. Prototype hovercraft vehicle.
Steering is controlled by a wheel linked by cable to a
set of rudders just behind the thrust propeller. The
FFB container is positioned in the middle of the craft
and a reinforced vinyl bag is installed under the
container to tilt the container. The exhaust gas from
the thrust engine is channelled to the bag through a
flexible hose and two butterfly valves are used to Figure 4. Function test.
inflate the bag or to release exhaust gas. The
pressure in the bag is enough to tilt the container
with 500 kg load to the side of the craft. The container
returns to its original position when the exhaust gas
is released (Figure 3).
2-way
butterfly valve
Air bag
Figure 5. The machine being tested in the field.
Figure 3. Tipping mechanism – control valve at the exhaust
system to control air bag for FFB unloading.
Figure 6. Unloading the FFB at the roadside.
TABLE 1. COMPARISON OF PRODUCTIVITY BETWEEN MANUAL WORK AND
HOVERCRAFT ON PEAT SOIL
Productivity (t per day) Price of transporter (RM)
Manual average 1 t -
Hovercraft average 14 t Estimate RM 80 000
It was found that: RM 1167 compared to RM 750 manually. Besides that,
• the machine performed well on peat, even in the number of workers can be reduced from nine to
areas with a high water table; six workers (Table 2).
CONCLUSION
• the machine was floating, hence, no ground contact
which eliminated compaction or rutting; and
• the simple steering system contributed to good
The hovercraft is suitable for general in-field
maneuverability.
transportation on peat, either shallow or deep. It is
PROFITABILITY
suitable for FFB in-field transportation where the
harvesting paths are fairly level and free from
obstacles. The machine is able to reduce manual
The hovercraft is more productive as well as
works as well as improve the productivity and income
generate more income to the estates compared
of the worker.
to manual operated workers. On peat, the hovercraft
can evacuate 14 t FFB per day per team compared ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
to only 9 t FFB per day per team manually.
MPOB would like to thank Yahya Mohd Nor of Era
At an estimated FFB price of RM 200 per tonne and Nyata (M) Sdn Bhd for his collaboration in
the machine life of eight years, with an operating cost developing the hovercraft. We are also grateful to
of RM 42 per tonne, the estate income per month is the officers of FELCRA and Golden Hope Plantation,
RM 55 425 compared to RM 38 250 by manual. The Banting for testing and giving invaluable comments
worker ’s income per month can increase up to for the development of this machine.
TABLE 2. THE COMPARISON INCOME BETWEEN MANUAL AND HOVERCRAFT ON PEAT SOIL
Item Manual Hovercraft
Price of machine (RM) - RM 80 000
Economic life (yr) - 8
Working days 25 25
No. of workers 9 6
FFB price per tonne (RM) RM 200 RM 200
Operating cost RM 30 per tonne RM 42 per tonne
Labour cost (RM per tonne)
Fuel, repair and maintenance and
10% unexpected factor (RM per tonne)
Productivity
Productivity per worker per day 1 t per day 2.33 t per day
Productivity per team per day 9 t per day 14 t per day
Productivity per team per month 225 t per month 350 t per month
Productivity per team per year 2700 t per year 4200 t per year
Net income
Estate RM 38 250 per month RM 55 425 per month
Worker RM 750 per month RM 1 166.67 per month
For more information kindly contact:
Director-General
MPOB
P. O. Box 10620
50720 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-89259155, 89259775
Website: http://mpob.gov.my
Telefax: 03-89259446
