Title of Invention	A MACHINE FOR PRUNING OF MULBERRY PLANTS
Abstract	A machine for pruning of mulberry plants comprising a frame adapted to a drive source such as a power tiller, a driven mechanism supported on said frame and coupled to the drive source, a rotatable cutting blade held to said frame and a rotatable support wheel held to said frame.

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a machine for pruning of mulberry plants. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Mulberry leaves are the basic food for the silkworms. Mulberry plants are grown generally in the form of bushes. They need to be pruned at regular intervals for good growth and production of nutritious leaves for silkworms. The pruning of mulberry plants after harvesting leaves is carried out manually Manual pruning is not only time consuming but also involves drudgery. In manual pruning a pruning saw is used and about 4-5 man-days are required to prune one acre (10-12 man-a-days per hectare) of mulberry garden. Manual pruning is economically justified and feasible for small gardens but not for large scale cultivation of mulberry. In manual pruning it has been observed that farmers or labors prune only soft branches which lead to development of a crown at a height of 15 to 20 cm from ground. The crown given rise to a number of branches which may not have healthy leaves. It is therefore imperative to cut periodically the crown for good branching. Cutting crown is an energy and time consuming operation. As it is very difficult to cut the crown, the farmers cut the plant from ground level using hoe or pick axe. This is called ground level pruning. After ground level pruning plants take some time to sprout again, thereby delaying rearing of silkworms. In manual pruning it has also been noticed that a large number of buds are damaged due to peeling of bark, splitting of branches due to reduced sharpness and wearing out of teeth. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A primary object of this invention is to propose a novel machine for pruning of mulberry plants. Another object of this invention is to propose a machine for pruning of mulberry plants which is cost effective. Still another object of this invention is to propose a machine for pruning of mulberry plants and wherein a reduced period of time is required for pruning of said plants. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to this invention there is provided a machine for pruning of mulberry plants pomp rising a frame adapted to a drive source such as a power tiller, a driven mechanism supported on said frame and coupled to the drive source, a rotatable cutting blade held to said frame and a rotatable support wheel held to said frame. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction drawing and wherein; Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the mulberry pruning machine of the mulberry pruning machine of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, the mulberry pruning machine 1 comprises a frame 2 for supporting a drive mechanism 3. The drive mechanism 3 may consist of the known gears and pulleys for transmission of a drive from a drive source, which in the present instance comprises a power tiller 4. However, it is to be understood that the drive source could be other than a power tiller. Frame 1 also supports circular blades 5 made of stainless steel having 20, 30 and 45 cm diameter are fixed on the machine for pruning of mulberry plants. The diameter of blade 5 to be fixed on machine 1 depends upon the girth of plants. Small diameter blade is used for cutting stem of plants whereas larger blades are for normal pruning of branches and cutting through the crown. The blade 5 has been fixed in such a way that it approaches mulberry plant at an angle of 15 degrees with respect to ground to give a clean and angular cut and also to avoid polishing of stem, pealing of bark and clogging of shoots under the machine. Frame 2 supports a swiveling type wheel 6 for easy maneuverability and balancing of machine 1 during operation. The support wheel 6 also serves as a device for adjusting the pruning height. The wheel is mounted on frame 2 with the help of U-clamps 7 which can be loosened to vary the height if support wheel so as to raise or lower the height of circular blade 5 with respect to the ground. A guide 8 is provided in the front of machine 1 to push and direct the plants towards blade 5 for easy cutting. The guide also bends the plants ^nxr,arr\a left hand SO that they fall only on one side for easy collection. A guard 9 is provided to cover circular blade 5 and avoid any danger to operator if blade breaks or it comes out of the machine during thje operation. The guard 9 is fitted with a thick wire mesh so that the operator can see the operation of blade during pruning operation and control the forward movement of machine. For pruning mulberry, machine 1 is fixed to power tiller 4 Different pulleys and belts are aligned for smooth operation. Thereafter, a suitable circular blade 5 is fixes. The machine is then taken to field and aligned in such a way that the center of blade coincides with the center of row of the plants. The machine cuts the mulberry shoots while advancing and lays them on one side. If the shoots are small in diameter, the operator can increase the forward speed of power tiller in order to carry out pruning at a faster rate. The pruning machine was tested for various pruning operations such as pruning top branches, cutting through the crown and bottom or ground level pruning. It was observed that machine carries out all these types of jobs with ease, and that cuts are very neat and clean. The layer of sap around edges shows the cleanliness of cuts. The machine was found cutting stems easily up to 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter WE CLAIM; 1. A machine for pruning of mulberry plants comprising a frame adapted to a drive source such as a power tiller, a driven mechanism supported on said frame and coupled to the drive source, a rotatable cutting blade held to said frame and a rote table support wheel held to said frame 2. A machine for pruning of mulberry plants as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade is a circular blade. 3. A machine for pruning of mulberry plants as claimed in claim 1 wherein a guide is provided with said support wheel. 4. A machine for pruning of mulberry plants as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frame has a guard. 5. A machine for pruning of mulberry plants substantially as herein described and illustrated.

Documents:

1014-mas-1999 claims-duplicate.pdf

1014-mas-1999 claims.pdf

1014-mas-1999 correspondence-others.pdf

1014-mas-1999 correspondence-po.pdf

1014-mas-1999 description (complete)-duplicate.pdf

1014-mas-1999 description (complete).pdf

1014-mas-1999 drawings-duplicate.pdf

1014-mas-1999 drawings.pdf

1014-mas-1999 form-1.pdf

1014-mas-1999 form-19.pdf

1014-mas-1999 form-26.pdf

1014-mas-1999 form-3.pdf