WO2022114950A1

WO2022114950A1 - Fertilising device

Info

Publication number: WO2022114950A1
Application number: PCT/MY2021/050110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mohd Zulfahmi B MOHD YUSOFF; Ahmad Zamri MD YUSOF
Original assignee: Sime Darby Plantation Intellectual Property Sdn Bhd
Current assignee: Sime Darby Plantation Intellectual Property Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2020-11-27
Filing date: 2021-11-26
Publication date: 2022-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-27
Also published as: MY193207A

Abstract

The present invention provides a fertiliser device which is connected to a movable vehicle (6) and supported by a frame (12), the device includes a container (1), at least one measuring device (2), a spinning disc housing (3), a first engine (4), a gearbox (5), at least one channel (7), a second engine (8), a control box (9), a motor (10), a gear reducer (11) and at least one pedal (13), wherein, the first engine (4) provides power source to turn on the gearbox (5) for rotation of a spinning disc enclosed in the spinning disc housing (3), the rotation of the spinning disc provides a centrifugal force to fertilisers as contained in the container (1) to release the fertilisers into the at least one channel (7) whereby quantity of fertilisers is measured by the at least one measuring device (2).

Description

FERTILISING DEVICE

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a fertiliser device.

BACKGROUND

The oil palm industry is very dependent on labour and requires many workers for its operations. Complete reliance on foreign workers is not an ultimate solution but only a temporary measure. In the face of raising labour issues such as labour costs, mechanisation and automation programmes are being ramped up by industry players to tackle the associated labour issues. The mechanisation of the oil palm sector is not considered as a luxury, but an imperative and is vital for industrial players to pursue further as the oil palm sector could be helped with more efficient use of labour and reduced dependence on foreign workers. The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry of Malaysia in January 2017 has also established a RM30 million oil palm mechanisation fund to promote mechanisation activities within the industry. The aim of this is to fund mechanisation based research activities, acquisition of mechanisation technologies and hosting of competitions / programmes. (Source: theedgemorkets.com)

Generally, infield crop collection with mini tractors and fertilizer application with tractor spreaders will in total have the most significant impact on productivity. Once mechanization is initiated, it is vital that machine productivity is given top priority with good vehicle preventive maintenance and work systems. By mechanising infield collection and fertiliser application alone provides a man: land ratio of l:20ha at the estate if compared to manual mode which gives a man: land ratio of l:10ha.

(Source: Mechanization in Oil Palm Plantations with Some Practical Considerations , 29 June 2018)

The labour shortfall is adding urgency to longstanding plans for industry mechanisation. Sime Darby Plantation (SDP), the world's biggest palm oil company by land size, is hastening development and trials to deploy light machines that will aid in field upkeep, removing harvested crops and applying fertiliser. It is also turning to remote sensing and artificial intelligence to drive precision farming, making the most efficient use of farm inputs and field workers. IOI said it has a revitalised mechanisation plan, and aims to mechanise fertilising and pesticide spraying as well as automate mill operations, while FGV Holdings plans to mechanise an extra 30,000ha over the next three years. Malaysia on average allots one worker for every 8ha, but the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) wants a "quantum leap" in technology that would double the land area for each worker to 16ha. This would reduce reliance on labour, which accounts for around 30 per cent of production costs.

(Source: Malaysia's palm oil industry trying to hire local workers , 19 August 2020)

The labour shortage issue faced by the domestic plantation industry is expected to reduce productivity and harvesting even further during the peak cycle season at the end of the year 2020. MPOA states that local planters have already lost up to about 25% of potential yield throughout the series of Movement Control Orders (MCOs) right to the current Recovery MCO (RMCO) in the year 2020, without the services of some 37,000 foreign workers who had been sent home during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

(Source: Labour shortage heightens losses in palm oil yield, 14 September 2020)

The plantation industry isfacing a labourcrunch because ofthe Covid-19 pandemic. The border shutdowns have stopped the movement of foreign workers into the country, while some who are still here are looking to return to their home country. For SDP, the group is short of around 2,500 workers, representing between 8% and 9% of its entire foreign workforce. This will affect the efficiency and productivity of its plantations in Malaysia. The entire industry is looking at how it can address the situation via incentivising foreign workers to stay, as the Malaysian government has allowed them to stay on until at least year-end, to allow the oil palm industry to operate as it should. The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed plantation companies to look at other ways to increase their production and reduce dependency on foreign workers, including employing more mechanisation in the estates. [Source: Sime Darby Plantation banks on downstream business for growth, 23 September 2020] Oil palm tree requires a large amount of nutrients which are essentially supplied by fertilisers. This is crucial as healthy palms will produce optimum fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield, and hence fertilisers are key to achieve and sustain good palm nutritional status and optimum yields. Flence, fertiliser management is very important to preventing nutrient deficiency and maintaining healthy palms as each palm should be supplied with adequate nutrients in balanced proportion to ensure healthy vegetative growth and optimum FFB yields. Fertilisers must also be done in a prescribed manner at the estates to result in the most efficient uptake of nutrients.

(Source: Fertiliser Management in Oil Palm-Agronomic Principles and Field Practices , Goh,K.J. et. al. - Applied Agriculture Research and Lyman Research Centre)

The oil palm requires large amounts of mineral fertilisers (500 to 1,000 kg/ha) and conventionally are carried into the field by hand or with a wheelbarrow. Each palm must receive the specified amount of fertiliser as application rate if reduced, results in incidences of deficiency symptoms, reduced yield and profitability.

(Source: Aerial Fertilization of Oil Palm , J.P. Caliman et. al.)

Mechanised fertiliser application has widely been practiced in mature palms for the past few years and have experienced savings in terms of labour, operating cost and time. Coverage areas also increases with the use of a machine. A turbo spin fertiliser spreader is now becoming a very familiar machine in a mechanised oil palm estate. Benefits when using the fertiliser machine includes labour reduction, increase in productivity per worker, increase in area covered per day. Mechanisation has been faced with obstacles from technical problems, social issues as well as field conditions as more and more oil palm being planted on hilly land. (Source: Technical and Social Issues of Mechanisation in Oil Palm Plantation Industry)

Fertilisation is mechanically carried out mostly on flat palm plantations, using a mechanical fertiliser spreader operated by a four-wheeled tractor. Mechanised fertiliser application may result in more efficient nutrient use and labour savings. Some of the oil palm plantations conditions are undulating and hilly areas. In such areas where tractor is able to manoeuvre efficiently but fertiliser spreader is not suitable, a semi-mechanised system is used. In this system, mini-tractor with fertiliser loaded into it trailer maneuverers along the path with two helpers on the trailer to manually scoop (with calibrated rate) the fertilisers and throw to the specified location (between two palm trees). This is a continuous process for a whole day with fertilisers as contained in the trailer is firstly used up completely and then is refilled and the process continues on. There are problems faced in applying fertiliser for oil palm planted on the hilly terrain such as difficulty for machine or spreader to access and manoeuvre for mechanical fertilisation. In such condition, manual fertilisation is practiced. It was found that manual application is less effective and cannot be guaranteed unless the application rate is followed accordingly. It is therefore important to apply the fertilizers in the best manner possible over the areas of the estate that are likely to result in the most efficient uptake of nutrients and to minimize negative environmental impact.

[Source: Conceptual Design of Fertilizer Applicator for Oil Palm on Terrace Cultivation]

Mechanization has become a buzz word in oil palm industry and is commonly recognised as a means of solving increasingly acute shortage of labour in the plantation sector. Mechanical spreader is used forfertiliser application in almost all areas with paths that have been prepared for in-field FFB collection except for terraced areas whereby until to-date no suitable spreading machine is able to work effectively and efficiently on such areas. Moreover, mechanical paths prepared for mechanical spreader could be used for in-field FFB evacuation machine and vice- versa.

[Source: Mechanisation in Oil Palm Plantations: Achievement & Challenges , Teo Leng, EPA Management Sdn. Bhd.]

Indian Application IN202021034789A describes a machine which has a base frame which provides supports to entire system. A crushing unit which has two cutting blades with equal and opposite motion is used to cut the fertilizer in small portions, and once fertilizer gets in contact with blades and transferred to the shaking plate, which is driven by the crank and lever mechanism to distribute the fertilizer uniformly. The complete system is supported on wheels with the help of bearings and shafts. The powerfrom wheels to the crushing unit is transmitted by using belt, rope, and gear, magnetic transmission or any other advance power transmission devices. This prior art does not describe the fertiliser device of the present invention. Chinese Patent Application CN111742654A describes a machine which has a movable frame whose side is connected with a retractor and another side is equipped with a main wheel. The movable frame is horizontally provided with a dispersing cylinder. An upper side of the dispersing cylinder is horizontally provided with a material holding basin. A lower side of a first strip-shaped plate is provided with a ditcher that is connected to an inclined cylinder by a first fixing rod. A side of the inclined cylinder is located far away from the first strip-shaped plate that is horizontally provided with a second strip-shaped plate. Two ends of the second stripshaped plate are connected with the movable frame by a fixing component. A lower side of the second strip-shaped plate is provided with multiple soil covering plates that are connected to the inclined cylinder by a second fixing rod. A dispersing conveying component comprises a rotating shaft that is arranged in the dispersing cylinder. This prior art does not describe the fertiliser device of the present invention.

Chinese Patent Application CN111670664A describes a machinery which has a fertilizer box provided with a stirrer that is synchronously rotated with a belt pulley through a belt. A bottom end of the fertilizer box is fixedly installed on an upper surface of a supporting frame. A bottom end of a right side of the supporting frame is provided with a moving wheel. The power box is fixedly installed on a left side surface of the fertilizer box. The belt wheel is synchronously rotated along an output end of the power box. A fertilizer spreading mechanism is fixedly installed on a left lower end of the supporting frame. A side surface of a sliding rod is fixed with a spring wire. A slide rail is embedded in a concentrated frame. This prior art does not describe the fertiliser device of the present invention.

Chinese Patent Application CN111557156A describes a spreading machine which works under traction of a tractor and inputting power to a hydraulic system through a rear output shaft. A fertilizing vehicle unit comprises a traction rod, a walking wheel mechanism, a carriage, a fertilizer limiting plate hand wheel and a fertilizer limiting plate. A lower fertilizer reversing valve and a lower fertilizer speed adjusting valve are connected with a closed loop of a lower fertilizer motor in a series manner. The chain wheel is connected with an end of a chain plate mechanism. The chain plate mechanism of a fertilizer discharging device is connected to provide power. This prior art does not describe the fertiliser device of the present invention. Chinese Patent Application CN111713230A describes an energy-saving environment-friendly chemical fertilizer spreading device, comprising a bearing plate, the side wall of the bearing plate is rotatably connected with four walking wheels through two wheel shafts, the bearing plate is respectively provided with a chemical fertilizer hopper, a water tank, a solar battery assembly, a storage battery and a metering pump; the side wall of the chemical fertilizer hopper located at the discharging port is provided with a discharging valve mechanism; the right lower part of the bearing plate is provided with a hole opening mechanism; the two sides of the bearing plate are provided with a linkage driving mechanism for driving the opening mechanism to work. Compared with the traditional manual fertilizing and fertilizing operation, the invention saves time and labour, greatly reduces the labour intensity, improves the efficiency, compared with the existing device for throwing fertilizer, the function is more comprehensive, collecting hole, fertilizing, irrigating integrated operation, can realize the deep fertilizing of fertilizer, reduces the fertilizer loss and improves the absorption effect of the fertilizer to the fertilizer, and it is convenient to observe the amount of chemical fertilizer and irrigation water, at the same time, it is more energy-saving and environment-friendly. This prior art does not describe the fertiliser device of the present invention.

United States Patent US4254897A relates to means for metering particular material and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with means for metering agricultural seed and/or fertilizer from the hopper of a seed and fertilizer drilling apparatus. Agricultural seed and fertilizer drilling apparatus is known which comprises a hopper mounted on a wheeled support and wherein the floor of this hopper defines an exit which is closed by a pair of contra rotatable rollers providing a nip there between through which the seed and/or fertilizer may be discharged from the hopper at a controlled rate. Apparatus of this kind, however, may have certain disadvantages in use. Thus, for example, the rollers may be subject to shrinkage or wear in use and this can !ead to variability of throughput over a period of use. In order to compensate for this shrinkage and/or wear of the rollers, a complicated mechanism of roller adjustment is required. This prior art does not describe the fertiliser device of the present invention.

Features of the Emdek turbo-spin 650/850 tractor mounted fertiliser spreader is proven to be ideal for applying fertilizer into tree crop-rows, provides reduction in overall spreading time and cost as fertilizer are thrown to a much greater distance, fertilisers are not dropped in the tractor path, can be used for granular, crystalline and powdered fertilizer, durable spreading mechanism made of heavy gauge stainless steel, spinning mechanism causes less stress on overall machine. The turbo spin comes with a single disc within a chamber with replaceable vanes using fins to generate air and spreading is by spinning disc assisted by air blast [ Source : https://www.epndek.copn.my/products/7detaihl48]. This prior art does not describe the fertiliser device of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fertiliser device which is connected to a movable vehicle and supported by a frame, the device includes a container, at least one measuring device, a spinning disc housing, a first engine, a gearbox, at least one channel, a second engine, a control box, a motor, a gear reducer and at least one pedal, wherein the first engine provides power source to turn on the gearbox for rotation of a spinning disc enclosed in the spinning disc housing, the rotation of the spinning disc provides a centrifugal force to fertilisers as contained in the container to release the fertilisers into the at least one channel whereby quantity of fertilisers is measured by the at least one measuring device operated by the motor and controlled by electrical circuits in the control box to discharge the fertilisers at a controlled rate from the at least one channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Above recited features of the present invention may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. The appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not considered limiting of its scope as the invention may perform effectively to other equally effective embodiments.

These and other features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 illustrates the isometric view of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates the side view of the present invention.

The numbering in all figures as described above refers to the various parts of the device of the present invention:

_• a container (1);

_• at least one measuring device (2);

_• a spinning disc housing (3);

_• a first engine (4);

_• a gearbox (5);

_• a movable vehicle (6);

_• at least one channel (7);

_• a second engine (8);

_• a control box (9);

_• a motor (10);

_• a gear reducer (11);

_• a frame (12); and

_• at least one pedal (13).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

While the present invention is described herein by way of example using illustrative drawings and embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed but in contrary the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is described herein by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the features through the description. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to embodiments set forth herein. Therefore, embodiments are provided so that this disclosure would be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of invention to those skilled in the art. Numeric values and ranges and materials as provided in the detailed description are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and is not intended as limiting in scope. The words such as "including", "comprising”, "having", "containing" or "involving" and other variations is intended to be broad and cover the subject matter as described including equivalents and additional subject matter not recited such as other components or steps.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention provides a fertiliser device which is connected to a movable vehicle (6) and supported by a frame (12), the device includes a container (1), at least one measuring device (2), a spinning disc housing (3), a first engine (4), a gearbox (5), at least one channel (7), a second engine (8), a control box (9), a motor (10), a gear reducer (11) and at least one pedal (13), wherein the first engine (4) provides power source to turn on the gearbox (5) for rotation of a spinning disc enclosed in the spinning disc housing (3), the rotation of the spinning disc provides a centrifugal force to fertilisers as contained in the container (1) to release the fertilisers into the at least one channel (7) whereby quantity of fertilisers is measured by the at least one measuring device (2) operated by the motor (10) and controlled by electrical circuits in the control box (9) to discharge the fertilisers at a controlled rate from the at least one channel (7).

Background

The oil palm requires large amounts of mineral fertilisers (500 to 1,000 kg/ha) and conventionally are carried into the field by hand or with a wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrows are commonly used in inland estates where conditions of these estates are hilly to steep terrains with terraces (with slopes of more than 10 degrees), which are inaccessible to machines currently being used for fertiliser applications. It is a common practice that fertilisers are manually applied with the use of either wheelbarrow or custom-made wheel cart by several estates in terrace areas. Mechanical buffalo can also be utilised as a transporter to carry the fertilisers and the fertilisers would be manually applied around the oil palm tree by the workers.

Sime Darby Plantation (SDP) mainly utilises turbo spin or turbo mini fertiliser spreader for fertiliser application at its coastal estates and manual means using wheelbarrow or semi- mechanised system (mini-tractor with 2 workers or mechanical buffalo with a special design container) for fertiliser application at inland estates. In some SDP estates, a multi bin silo system is used, whereby fertilisers are transported from a warehouse by tankers to the respective estates. The fertiliser tanker then transfers the fertilisers into the multi bin silo which will be discharged into the fertiliser spreader tractor hopper. The multi bin silo system is suitable for coastal estates (which consist of flat and undulating terrains) and not suitable for inland estates (which consist of hilly to steep terrains with terraces).

Generally, a suitable machine will depend on land size, terrain conditions, management preferences and economic returns. The fertiliser device of the present invention although can be used just as well on flat and undulating areas (coastal estates) with added benefits than the best machine currently being used by many estates, focuses to solve fertiliser application issues on hilly to steep terrains with terraces (inland estates). There are no suitable mechanised means thus far for fertiliser application at inland estates. Hence, this present invention not only solves fertiliser application at inland estates, but it also provides a solution for fertiliser application at coastal estates as well which would result in cost savings linked to reduced fertiliser wastage.

Objectives of the present invention

More and more oil palm trees are being planted on hilly areas for the past years to utilise vacant areas in the plantations, rather than clearing more forest lands for planting of oil palm trees. Hence, there is a pressing need to develop a solution for a mechanised means to apply fertilisers at hilly to steep terrains with terraces in the estates as opposed to relying on the manual wheelbarrow method or semi-mechanised means to do so. Mechanised means of applying fertilisers are usually carried out mostly on flat palm plantations (coastal estates), using a mechanical fertiliser spreader operated by a four-wheeled tractor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanised means for applying fertilisers effectively and efficiently on flat and undulating areas and for hilly to steep terrains with terraces of the oil palm estates. The present invention can be considered the best so far for use at hilly to steep terrains with terraces, whereby fertiliser application at these areas are mostly done via manual means.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a small, and light weighted fertiliser device which comes with efficient weight distribution ratio and low centre of gravity which is stable and safe for use at the estates, specifically at hilly to steep terrains with terraces. This present invention also reduces the tendency towards rutted and damage paths at the coastal estates which are usually caused by heavier machines operating at the estates.

Also, the object of the present invention is to provide controlled fertiliser application rate at specific locations as opposed to applying fertilisers randomly. The amount of fertilisers required at a specific oil palm estate will be determined by an agronomist, and this amount will be set in the fertiliser device using the metering device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide cost savings linked to fertiliser wastage and less labour requirements, utilises the use of worker's energy in the most efficient manner possible and able to cover more land per day for fertiliser application. Fertiliser application at hilly to steep terrains with terraces are not accessible by machines such as the spreader mounted to tractor and hence, more commonly carried out by manual means. Fertiliser application using wheelbarrow requires the workers to load fertiliser into wheelbarrows and then push the wheelbarrows to the oil palm trees to apply the fertilisers manually.

Benefits of the present invention

As the oil palm industry is very dependent on labour, it is crucial to contribute in solving the current issue with regards to shortage of the workers in the oil palm estates as labour issues will reduce productivity and harvesting. This present invention provides a means to address the labour issue to allow the oil palm industry to operate as how it should without being heavily dependent on labour. There are problems faced in applying fertilisers for oil palm planted on the hilly to steep terrains with terraces such as difficulty for the fertiliser device to access and manoeuvre in these areas. In such conditions, manual means are practiced.

This present invention can be used in inland and coastal estates and provides the benefits as further described below.

• The present invention targets to solve the fertiliser application problem on hilly to steep terrains with terraces from manual to mechanised means.

• The present invention improves productivity of workers as more land per ha can be covered per day by the workers at inland estates and only 1 worker is required to operate 1 fertiliser device. Man: land ratio for manual means (application using wheelbarrow) is about 1: 2.5 to 3 ha per day, however, the present invention allows for a man: land ratio of 1: 10 to 12 ha per day for steep to hilly terrains with terraces which also translates to a cost savings which is equivalent to at least 4 workers.

• This present invention comes with a measuring / metering device which measures quantity / amount of fertilisers required per palm in respective estates and the fertilisers are applied at site specific locations as opposed to random spreading of fertilisers currently done for coastal estates. Fertiliser machines (such as the turbo spin fertiliser spreader) does not allow application of fertiliser at site specific locations. Rather, the fertilisers are spread / discharged continuously as the machines moves on the tractor path or based on the speed of the tractor when it moves. Fertiliser management constitutes the largest field cost in oil palm plantations, hence, it is important to apply fertilisers efficiently. Therefore, the present invention focuses on reducing fertiliser wastage which happens due to random spreading or random discharge of fertilisers from a fertiliser device.

• The fertiliser device is light weight, easy to manoeuvre especially at steep to hilly areas with terraces and the device is also safe and stable as well. Fertiliser spreaders currently being used are bulky and not suitable for use at these areas. The total weight of the turbo spin fertiliser spreader is more than 3 MT, hence, the machine can also easily cause damage or rut to the path in the estates. The device of the present invention is small with width in the range of between 1.2m to 1.6m, length in the range of between 2.3m to 2.7m and weight in the range of between 500 to 900kg. The present invention is also shorter by at least 15 to 20% as compared to the turbo spin fertiliser spreader.

• The present invention is also cost effective and not as expensive as current fertiliser spreaders produced. The cost of fabricating the present invention is also much lesser (by at least 40%-50%) as compared to the turbo spin fertiliser spreader.

The turbo spin fertiliser spreader is now a common and familiar machine being used for fertiliser application. Although the turbo spin fertiliser spreader provides benefits such as labour reduction, increase in productivity and area covered per day, but it is not suitable for use at steep to hilly terrains with terraces (inland estates). The turbo spin fertiliser spreader continuously sprays fertilisers (from the left and rights sides of the spreader) even at vacant areas (i.e. areas with no oil palm trees) which leads to fertiliser wastage as the mechanism of the fertiliser spreader only provides for continuous / non-stop spraying of fertilisers.

The turbo spin fertiliser spreader utilises a power take off (PTO) which is an apparatus to transfer the engine's mechanical power to operate the fertiliser spreader and it also requires a bigger tractor to be used as a prime mover to operate due to the use of a PTO. The present invention does not require the use of a PTO. The present invention uses an engine (lOhp or less) instead of a PTO. There is a slight disadvantage when PTO is used for the turbo spin fertiliser spreader as the PTO shaft is directly connected to the tractor's transmission, which means that the PTO only works when the tractor's clutch is released. If the tractor slows down or is out of gear, the PTO will not work and hence the spreader will not be able to spread / discharge fertilisers.

Further description of the present invention

The present invention provides a fertiliser device which is connected to a movable vehicle (6) and supported by a frame (12), the device includes a container (1), at least one measuring device (2), a spinning disc housing (3), a first engine (4), a gearbox (5), at least one channel (7), a second engine (8), a control box (9), a motor (10), a gear reducer (11) and at least one pedal (13), wherein the first engine (4) provides power source to turn on the gearbox (5) for rotation of a spinning disc enclosed in the spinning disc housing (3), the rotation of the spinning disc provides a centrifugal force to fertilisers as contained in the container (1) to release the fertilisers into the at least one channel (7) whereby quantity of fertilisers is measured by the at least one measuring device (2) operated by the motor (10) and controlled by electrical circuits in the control box (9) to discharge the fertilisers at a controlled rate from the at least one channel (7),

The movement of the movable vehicle (6) which is a three-wheeler or four-wheeler is controlled by the second engine (8) to its preferred speed. Any types of engine can be used for the device of the present invention - diesel or petrol, based on preference and needs of the users.

Any types of fertilisers such granular, crystalline and compact fertilisers can be used with the device of this present invention.

The device includes a container (1) which is a hopper to store fertilisers which is either in the shape of a pyramid or cone, preferably a cone shaped container for ease of discharge of fertilisers from the hopper to the at least one channel (7). The parameters of the hopper are based on the preference of the users as long the height does not exceed 20% of the height of the fertiliser device and 20% of the width of the fertiliser device which would cause instability and safety issues when the fertiliser device is used in the estates.

A measuring device (2) or a metering device is used and calibrated to measure quantity of fertilisers required per palm tree based on composition and quantity as determined by agronomists. The measuring device (2) is operated by the motor (10) and controlled by electrical circuits in the control box (9) to discharge fertilisers at a controlled rate. At least one measuring device (1) is sufficient for the device of the present invention, however, more than 1 can be used depending on the preference of the users of the present invention. Current fertiliser devices being used at oil palm estates do not come with a measuring or metering device to calculate amount or dosage of fertilisers required per palm tree. The first engine (4) provides power source to turn on the gearbox (5) which allows rotation of the spinning disc as contained in the spinning disc housing (3). The rotation of the spinning disc provides a centrifugal force to the fertilisers to enable the release of the fertilisers into the at least one channel (7) based on the quantity of the fertilisers as measured by the at least one measuring device (2) which is operated by the motor (10). The gear reducer (11) functions to control speed of the fertilisers being discharge from the container (1) to the channels and out from the channels based on the first engine's (4) engine's revolutions per minute (RPM),

The discharge of fertilisers to the specific points in the estates are controlled by the operator operating the fertiliser device of the present invention using the at least one pedal (13), preferably two foot controlled pedals, one for the left foot and one for the right foot. The at least one channel (7) is preferably two channels, one on the left side and the other on the right side of the device of the present invention which has an exit opening each. The opening and closing the left and right exit openings of the left and right side channels are controlled by the at least one pedal (13). The left pedal controls the discharge of the fertilisers from the exit opening of the left channel and the right pedal controls the discharge of the fertilisers from the exit opening of the right channel from the device of the present invention which is especially suitable for use at steep to hilly areas with terraces (inland estates) as fertilisers are only required to be discharged from one side (left or right) at a time.

The present invention will be moving along the path prepared for movement of vehicles in the estates, hence, the palm trees will be situated on the left and right sides of the path. When the fertiliser device moves on the steep to hilly terrains with terraces, fertilisers are usually required to be discharged on one side only. Therefore, this fertiliser device allows a controlled discharge of the fertilisers from either channels or both depending on where the device is being used. The currently used turbo spin fertiliser spreader do not use such mechanism and hence the fertilisers can only be discharged from both sides at the same time.

The at least one channel (7) is a chute, preferably Y-shaped chute because as it allows better flow of fertilisers out from the device to the palm trees. The Y-shaped chute reduces friction, hence the fertilisers can be easily directed to the left side channel and right side channel of the fertiliser device efficiently. This present invention is suitable for use at hilly to steep terrains with terraces as width of the terraces ranges from 4.0m to 5.0m and not suitable for access by the fertiliser devices which are currently used at coastal estates.

The device of the present invention is compact as it is preferred for the device to be a single chassis machine (i.e. movable vehicle and trailer in a single drive train) which is suitable for use at steep to hilly terrains with terraces. Thus, the width and length of the proposed device of the present invention is sufficient and suitable to manoeuvre at these areas smoothly, without difficulties or complications and thus is a robust device for fertiliser application.

The present invention also reduces fertiliser wastage as the fertilisers are not dropped on the path prepared for movement of vehicles in the estates. The discharge distance of the fertiliser device is based on its first engine (4) whereby the RPM is calibrated as such so that the fertilisers are discharged from the fertiliser device to the areas between the palm trees on either sides (left and right) based on the distance from the fertiliser device to the palm trees. RPM of the device is calibrated as such so that the fertilisers are not discharged beyond or before the specific points for fertiliser application. In most estates, the distance from one palm tree to the next is in the range of 7m to 9m on flat and undulating areas and distance from the path to the palm trees on steep to hilly areas with terraces are in the range of between 7m to 8m.

The present invention comes with a metering device (2), which consist of a rotating cylinder with a motor (10) and gear system to allow for the fertiliser to be calibrated based on recommended dosage and composition by agronomists for the palm trees depending on conditions of a particular estate, rainfall, palm age and others. Hence, the fertilisers are not applied randomly but measured based on dosage and composition as required. Apart from that, fertilisers are also applied at specific points (i.e. site specific) via the foot pedal control system to prevent fertilisers to be discharged continuously throughout the journey of the fertiliser device in the estates which would lead to fertiliser wastage. Fertiliser wastage is also reduced via the present invention as fertilisers are not applied to vacant areas in the oil palm plantation. The present invention allows cost savings with respect to fertiliser application. As fertiliser management constitutes the largest field cost in oil palm plantations, hence, it is important to apply fertilisers efficiently.

As mentioned, the fertiliser device can be operated effectively by 1 operator who will drive the fertiliser device to the designated area to carry out calibration works for the measuring device (2) based on the amount as determined by agronomists for a particular estate and then to ensure the container (1) / hopper of the device is filled up with fertilisers. The operator will be in charge of making sure that the fertilisers are discharged at specific spots which have already been determined for application of fertilisers whether on hilly to steep terrains with terraces or flat and undulating areas, to ensure that fertilisers are not randomly applied. Also, based on the amount placed into the hopper, calculations can be made to determine whether the operator has been operating the machine according to site specific application rather than random spreading.

It is preferable for the hopper to carry a max of 300kg of fertilisers and not more than that due to the small and compact size of the machine. If the load is more than 300kg the machine will be considered unsafe (i.e. unstable) to be used.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art to provide a fertiliser device to address the above problems or at least to provide an alternative with regards to fertiliser application in the oil palm plantation.

Summary

It can be appreciated that the present invention not only solves fertiliser application at inland estates, but it also provides a solution for coastal estates (i.e. site specific discharge of fetilisers) as well which results in cost savings linked to reduced fertiliser wastage. it can further be appreciated that this present invention provides cost savings linked to fertiliser wastage and less labour requirements, utilises the use of worker's energy in the most efficient manner possible and able to cover more land per day for fertiliser application specifically for steep to hilly terrains with terraces which are not accessible by current fertiliser machines such as the fertiliser spreader. Fertiliser application using wheelbarrow requires the workers to load fertiliser into wheelbarrows and then push the wheelbarrows to the oil palm trees to apply the fertilisers manually.

Further, it can be appreciated that the parameters for the present invention are not obvious for a person skilled in the art and have been determined by the inventors based on numerous trials conducted, observations, discussions and combined expertise, which would not be able to be determined without much efforts and analysis. Various modifications to these embodiments as described herein are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The description is not intended to be limited to these embodiments as shown with the accompanying drawings but is to provide the broadest scope possible as consistent with the novel and inventive features disclosed. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.

Claims

1. A fertiliser device which is connected to a movable vehicle (6) and supported by a frame (12), the device includes: a container (1); at least one measuring device (2); a spinning disc housing (3); a first engine (4); a gearbox (5); at least one channel (7); a second engine (8); a control box (9); a motor (10); a gear reducer (11); and at least one pedal (13); wherein, the first engine (4) provides power source to turn on the gearbox (5) for rotation of a spinning disc enclosed in the spinning disc housing (3), the rotation of the spinning disc provides a centrifugal force to fertilisers as contained in the container (1) to release the fertilisers into the at least one channel (7) whereby quantity of fertilisers is measured by the at least one measuring device (2) operated by the motor (10) and controlled by electrical circuits in the control box (9) to discharge the fertilisers at a controlled rate from the at least one channel (7).

2. The device according to Claim 1, wherein opening and closing of at least one exit opening of the at least one channel (7) is controlled by the at least one pedal (13) for discharging fertilisers from the at least one exit opening.

3. The device according to Claim 1, wherein the gear reducer (11) is to control discharge speed of the fertilisers from the container (1) to the at least one channel (7) and out from the at least the one channel (7).

4, The device according to Claim 1, wherein the quantity of fertilisers measured by the at least one measuring device (2) is the quantity of fertilisers required per tree.

5. The device according to Claim 1, wherein the movable vehicle (6) is a three-wheeler or four- wheeler powered by the second engine (8) to its preferred speed.