Instructor

Text

Dr. Stuart Birrell,     200 Davidson Hall

            Phone: 294-2874,  

           sbirrell@iastate.edu

Office hours:  Walk in, except

8-11 MTWRF; 12-6M , 1-3 TR

                        Other times by appointment

Required Text:

Engineering Principles of Agricultural Machines, 2^nd Ed,

Srivasta, A.K., C.E. Goering and R.P. Rohrbach

    St. Joseph, Mich.: ASAE.,

Other References:

Farm Power and Machinery Management, 10th Edition

Hunt, D. Ames, IA. Iowa State Press,

CIGR Handbook of Agricultural Engineering, Vol III: Plant Production Engineering

St. Joseph, Mich.: ASAE.

Class Website :

http://www.abe.iastate.edu/studentinfo/classwebs.asp

Purpose:

1. To help students understand the operation, design and development concepts and principles of  modern agricultural machinery.
2. Provide students with fundamental engineering and mathematical knowledge to design and evaluate the performance of agricultural machines.

2007-2009 Catalog Description

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

A E 340. Functional Analysis and Design of Agricultural Field Machinery. (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 110, 203. Principles of operation, design, selection, testing and evaluation of agricultural field machinery and systems. Functional and mechanical performances. Crop and soil interaction with machines. Machine systems, including land preparation, crop establishment, crop protection, harvesting and post-harvest, materials handling systems.

Upon successfully completing this course, you should have

·         gained fundamental knowledge in analyzing the basic operational principles, characteristics and mechanisms of agricultural machinery

·         improved your ability in understanding the parameters involved in the design and operational processes of agricultural machinery systems.

·         specifically, learned how to analyze and synthesize tillage, planting, crop protection, harvesting, and material handling mechanisms, as well as management skills in farm power machinery in terms of field efficiency and machinery costs

·         been acquainted with the emerging technologies adopted in modern agricultural machinery

Course Component

Percent of Final Grade

Problem Sets/Lab Reports

20%

Project

15%

Exam1, Exam 2, Exam 3

45%   (each worth 15%)

Final

20%

Grading System:

Course Policies:

Score                 At least a letter grade of:

≥ 90                                         A-

≥ 80                                         B-

≥ 70                                         C-

≥ 60                                         D-

I may shift these scores downward depending on the distribution of the scores.

Homework and Lab Assignments:  You will be required to turn in a lab report, or engineering letter for each set of labs as instructed.  Most reports will be due the week following the actual lab.

• The reports will be formal reports (unless otherwise instructed). The reports must be well organized, neat and orderly.  The reports, tables and figures (possible exception of sample calculations and equations) should be computer generated.  The original data sheets may be included in appendices without change.
• Tabulated data:  Record both observed and calculated results along with associated units.  Manipulate the columns, spacing, etc. so it is easy to read and in an organized format.
• Sample Calculations:  Show one sample of each different calculation and or equation development. 

Exams:  You are expected to take exams with the class.  Any exceptions need to be cleared with me before the scheduled time that the exam is given.