Agricultural and Biosystems Power Engineering
Agricultural and Biosystems Power Engineering
I .CLASSIFICATION OF
AGRICULTURAL OPERATION III. UNITS OF ENERGY AND POWER
•Tractive work-requiring pulling or drawing Joule – metric unit of energy which is equal to
efforts. one metric of force acting through one metric
unit of distance. 1 J =. 1 N-m = 0.0737 ft-lb
1. Land preparation: plowing, harrowing, land
leveling 2.Cultivation 3. Harvesting British Thermal Unit – amount of heat energy
4. Transport required to raise the temperature of one pound
•Stationary work-usually accomplished by means of water one degree Fahrenheit. 1 BTU = 1.055
of belt, gears, pto, direct drive, s kJ = 778.17 ft-lb
1. Threshing 2. Water pumping 3. Milling
Calorie–amount of energy required to raise the
temperature of one gram of water by one degree
II. FORMS OF ENERGY Celsius. 1 cal. = 4.187J
2. Potential Energy – position of mass of energy Mass- a quantity of matter a body contains
irrespective of the kind of material of wich it
in position to the force field such as mass of water
id composed (g, kg, or lb)
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NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
Inertia- property of matter by virtue of which Spark Plug Heat to Creates spark ignition to
a body tends to remain at rest or continue in Electricity burn the fuel injected
motion in a straight line into the combustion
chamber of an engine
Momentum- a term applied to a body in Piston Heat to Produces torque and
motion, it is the product of its mass and Mechanical rotary motion to drive
agricultural machines
velocity at any instant
and equipment
Control
Force- ia an action, exerted upon an body,
that changes or tends to change its natural
state at rest or uniform motion in a straight IV. SOURCES OF FARM POWER
line
1. Human power
Torque- a turning or twisting effort or action A mature human being can continuously develop
an output of 0.10 hp if he is in good physical
Horsepower- a unit measurement of power
condition, well-fed and working in a favorable
equal to doing work at the rate of 33,000ft-
environment. As a poor source of mechanical
lb/min or 550 ft-lb/sec.
power, he is most suited to operations which
First Law of Thermodynamics require judgment and skill.
Energy is always conserved, it is neither created Pg = 0.35 – 0.092 log t
nor destroyed. Its total amount remains constant,
merely changing from one form to another. where: Pg - generated power, (hp)
Second Law of Thermodynamics t - time, min
In all energy exchanges, if no energy enters or
leaves the system, the potential energy of the 2. Animal power
state will always be less than that of the initial Draft or work animals can develop an output of
state. 0.7-1.3 horsepower.. The horse working
ENERGY CONVERSION continuously for several hours and walking at 2.5
EQUIPMENT/DEVICES mph should not pull more than 1/10 to 1/8 of its
Equipment Conversion Agricultural body weight. The horse can travel up to 20
/Devices Application miles/per day without undue fatigue. A carabao is
Generator Mechanical Generates power for 10 times over the power of human.
to Electrical farmstead such as
lighting, driving motor, drawbar horsepower:
heating, etc.
Motor Electrical to Provides power for
DHP = F x V / 76.2
Mechanical various stationary where: DHP - draft horsepower, hp
farmstead equipment
Engine Heat to Provides power for both F - draft, kg
Mechanical stationary and mobile
agricultural machines V - velocity of travel, m/s
and equipment
Turbine Kinetic to Supplies energy to - It is the power required to pull an implement at a
Mechanical propel high speed given force and velocity of travel of the animals and
equipment used to drive implement.
small generators and
milling machines 3. Wind Power
Boiler Heat to Provides steam for
Kinetic power generation and A form of renewable Energy that utilizes the
Energy for various food kinetic energy of wind to generate Electricity.
processing operation Confined largely for water pumping and electric
Solar Solar Supplies energy for
Collector Radiation to drying, space heating,
generation.
Heat Energy and others Classification of windmills:
Solar Cell Light to Provides power for
Electricity lighting, water pumping, • according to shaft orientation –vertical or
etc.
horizontal.
Peltier Heat to Runs small fan, cooling,
Chip Electricity etc. • according to blade material –sail, metal,
Combustio Fuel to Heat Burns fuel to produce wooden.
n Chamber heat for drying grains, • according to shaft speed –
kiln firing, tobacco ❖ high speed (2 to 4 blades);
curing, and others
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NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
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NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
r. Specific Fuel Consumption – rate of fuel F. Volumetric Efficiency. It is the ratio of the
consumed per unit brake power actual weight of air inducted by the engine
during the intake stroke, to the theoretical
s. Idle Speed – minimum speed the engine runs
weight of air that should have been inducted
at no load, usually around 900 rpm.
by filling the piston displacement volume with
t. Optimum Throttle Opening – opening air at atmospheric temperature and pressure.
adjustment of the engine throttle at the best
G. Specific Fuel Consumption. It is the
operating condition, which is usually 75% of the
quantity of fuel consumed by an engine on the
total opening.
basis of its horsepower-hour performance.
HORSEPOWER OF ENGINE
H. Thermal Efficiency. It is the ratio of the
A. Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP). horsepower output of an engine to the fuel
It is the average net pressure on the piston horsepower.
during the power stroke. It is expressed either
Thermal Efficiency, % = (bhp/power value of fuel)
in kPa or lb/in2.
x 100
B. Indicated Horsepower (IHP). It is the total
output (1hp = 42.42BTU/min = 2545BTU/hr)
horsepower generated in the cylinder and
input (gasoline = 20,000BTU/lb) (diesel =
received by piston.
19,000BTU/lb)
IHP = ( P × L × A × N × n ) × ½ × C for 4-
stroke-cycle engine I. Friction Hp (Fhp) – power the engine consumes
in operating itself at a given speed without any
or IHP = ( P × L × A × N × n ) × C for 2- load. Due to the moving parts of the engine, i.e.
stroke-cycle engine rotation and sliding
where, Ihp-bhp=fhp
P – indicated mean effective pressure J. Drawbar Hp – the power developed at the hitch
L – piston stroke or drawbar and available for pulling, dragging or
A – piston area similar efforts
N – number of revolutions per minute
n - number of cylinders Sample Problem:
C - a suitable conversion constant
*Suppose a 4-cylinder engine has a bore of 3.5 in.
and a stroke of 4.0 in., what is the piston
C. Belt Or Brake Horsepower (BHP). It is the
displacement of the engine?
power available at the crankshaft. It is
measured using a suitable dynamometer. Given:
Available to be delivered to the transmission No. of cylinders - 4
drive of the machine Piston diameter - 3.5 in.
-is power generated in the belt pulley and Stroke - 4.0 in
available for useful work. Required: Piston displacement
Hp = (force on scale due to friction only (lb) x 2π Solution:
r(ft)x rpm)/33000 PD = / =
BHP π (3.5 in.)2
hp = (net load (lb) x lba (ft) x 2π rpm)/33000
= ---------------- --------
D. Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP). It is 4 x 4.0 in. x 4 cylinders
calculated from the brake horsepower of the =153.9 in.3
engine.
The indicated power of an engine is 69
BMEP = BHP / ( L × A × N × n ) × C horsepower. The brake horsepower is 54. What
BMEP can not be measured. It is merely a is the mechanical or engine efficiency?
value for comparing the mean pressures in the Given: IHP - 69 Hp
engine cylinders.
BHP - 54 Hp
E. Mechanical Efficiency. It is the ratio of the
brake horsepower to the indicated horsepower. Required: Mechanical Efficiency
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NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
A. Cycle
1.Intake (suction) – This event is characterized by
the taking in of combustible materials.
2. Compression – The air or air-fuel mixture which
have entered during the intake event is trapped
into a small combustion chamber.
The figure shows the comparative efficiency
3. Power – The air-fuel mixture is ignited
values of ideal Otto and Diesel cycles. At first, the
resulting to a very rapid expansion of the burning
efficiency increases rapidly with compression
mixture.
ratio but the rate of increase decreases as
4. Exhaust – The burned gases are removed from compression ratio becomes high. Otto cycle gives
the combustion chamber. a higher theoretical efficiency than Diesel cycle.
Based on the manner of igniting the fuel: (a) Single-Cylinder -one piston -appropriate for
small engines commonly used in the farm
1. Electric (spark) ignition engine. This engine
utilizes an electric spark produced by a spark plug (b) Multiple Cylinder -more than 1 piston (2, 3, 4,
located inside the combustion chamber to ignite 6, 8, 12, etc.) -appropriate for use when relatively
the compressed air and fuel mixture. Fuel used is higher power is required such as tractors and
gasoline, and metering is done by a device called self-propelled equipment.
carburetor.
Terminologies
-produces power in one revolution of the
crankshaft Firing Order
-fuel and oil are mixed in the combustion
chamber Sequence of movement of the piston as it
-usually high speed and light in weight produces power. It is an order in which the engine
cylinders deliver power stroke at best engine
2. Compression (injection) ignition engine. This performance. It is also related to engine
engine utilizes the heat of compressed air to balancing.
ignite the fuel as it is being injected inside the Three cylinder engine-(1-3-2)
combustion chamber. Fuel used is diesel and Four cylinder engine-(1-2-4-3),(1-3-4-2)
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Turbo Charger
Improves the power output of an engine beyond
its normal operating capacity by increasing the
amount of air injected into the engine to allow
more fuel to be injected and increase power
output by 30%.
Super Charger VI. Fuel systems (Fuel and Combustion)
Functions the same as turbo charger, except that Fuel-material that stores energy which is
it is engine driven rather than exhaust-gas driven. subsequently extracted to perform mechanical
This is usually used for spark-ignition engines work in a controlled manner. It undergoes
since the power from exhaust gases is low as a combustion in which a combustible substance
result of low compression. releases energy (exothermic process) after it
Inter Cooler ignites and reacts with the oxygen in the air
Cools the gases coming out of the compressor Classification and composition of fuel
which then reduces the volume of the inlet gases
➢ Gaseous or liquid fuels – according to physical
and increases the volumetric efficiency.
state before going into the cylinder.
D. Based on the number of strokes ➢ Artificial or natural – according to whether the
1.Four-stroke cycle engines require four fuel is obtained from natural sources or as a
movements of the piston to complete the cycle. manufactured product.
Heating value of fuels – is the amount of heat
1st stroke – taking in air and gasoline mixture
energy contained in any fuel (BTU)
2nd stroke-compression of fuel mixture and
ignition of mixture a the end of compression
CLASSIFICATIONS OF FUEL
3rd stroke-expansion of burned gases producing
Solid Fuel is mainly classified into:
the power
(a) natural fuel such as coal, wood, etc.; and
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(b) manufactured fuel such as charcoal, coke, fuels derived from biomass conversion as
briquette, etc. well as solid biomass, liquid fuel and biogases.
• Coal, Coke, and Peat c. Bioethanol –alcohol derived by
• Wood and Wood Charcoal fermentation of carbohydrates produced in
• Agri and Forest Wastes sugar and starch from crops such as corn,
Liquid Fuel is classified into: sugarcane and cassava. Ethanol can be used
(a) Natural or crude oil; and as fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but it is
(b) Artificial or Manufactured Oil. usually used as gasoline additive to increase
• Crude Oil (gasoline, diesel, and kerosene) its octane content and improve emissions of
• Bunker Oil vehicles.
• Biofuel (bio-ethanol, vegetable oil, bio-oil, and Common gaseous fuels derived from
biodiesel) nature:
Gaseous fuel occur in nature besides from being 1. Natural gas (methane – CH4) / producer
manufactured from solid or from liquid gas
.• LPG 2. Propane or butane or lpg
• Natural Gas ➢Liquid fuels:
• Producer Gas (CO, H2 , and CH4 ) • diesel (1D, 2D, 4D)
• Biogas (CH4 & CO2 ) • alcohol (ethanol, methanol)
3. gasoline (regular, premium, unleaded,
A. Sources of Fuel
super unleaded) CLS
Non Renewable Sources of Fuel
a. Crude Oil -naturally occurring flammable Alcohol sources:
liquid consisting of a complex mixture of ➢Ethanol (C2H6O) – from grain crops such as
hydrocarbons with varying molecular corn, wheat, sorghum sugar crops such as
weights and other liquid organic compounds sugarcane, sugar beets, sweet sorghum
that are found in geologic formation beneath starches such potatoes crop residual such as
the earth’s surface. Gasoline, kerosene and corn stalks. This is known as grain alcohol.
diesel are derived from crude oil. Crude oil is ➢Methanol (CH4O) – can produced from coal,
made mainly from Hydrocarbons natural gas, petroleum or wood. It is
b. Natural Gas -naturally occurring commonly known as wood alcohol.
hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting (Denatured alcohol is a mixture of ethanol with
primarily of methane, other hydrocarbons, little methanol and pyridine which gives its
carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen distinct color and odor.)
sulfide.
c. Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG) flammable Advantage of adding alcohol to gasoline:
mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as fuel in 1. It raises the octane rating of the fuel.
heating appliances and vehicles. It consists of 2. It forms no soot or odor in the engine.
propane and butane. 3. Burns without producing smoke or
d. Coal-combustible black or brownish black disagreeable odor.
sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock 4. The exhaust is free of nitrogen oxides
strata in layers or veins called coal beds or without special clean up devices because
coal seams. alcohol burns cooler.
e. Nuclear Energy (Uranium) referred to the 5. Cool burning reduces the possibility of
part of energy of an atomic nucleus which can burning valves.
be released by fusion or fission or by 6. A higher compression ratio can be utilized
radioactive decay. thereby increasing engine efficiency
Octane number and cetane number are the 1. VENTURI -Narrowed part of the carburetor
measures of ignition quality of the fuel. tube where suction is created and the velocity
of the incoming air is increased
Methods to control detonation: 2. MAIN DISCHARGE TUBE -A tube, one end of
1. Using especially designed cylinder heads which is connected to the venturi and the
and pistons to so shape the combustion space other in the fuel container
that the last to burn portion of the charge will 3 FUEL CONTAINER - Holds the fuel for use by
be spread out into a thin sheet and its the different metering circuits in the
temperature held down more effectively. carburetor.
2. Providing more effective water circulation 4 FUEL SUPPLY INLET -The fuel supply inlet
and cooling around the cylinder head and is where fuel enters the fuel container from
exhaust valve. the engine's fuel tank
3. Using cylinder head and piston materials 5 FLOAT -The float is used to control the level
such as aluminum alloys that provide more of fuel in the fuel container
heat dissipation. INLET NEEDLE/FLOAT VALVE - Opens as the
4. Using properly designed spark plugs and float level drops and the fuel is allowed to
locating it on the “hot region” preferably near enter the bowl area. As the fuel level rises, the
the exhaust valve. float pushes it back and shuts off the incoming
5. Eliminating or reducing carbon deposits. fuel.
6. Maintaining the correct mixture of fuel and 8 THROTTLE PLATE -The throttle plate
air and the proper spark setting and valve controls the air flow through the venture
adjustment. 9 CHOKE PLATE - The choke plate partially
7. Using especially treated or so called blocks off air flow.
“doped” or antiknock fuels (tetraethyllead or
ethylene dibromide)
D. Fuels Commonly Use in Powering
Agricultural Operation
Antiknock (Octane Rating) – it is the
antiknock value of fuel determined by
comparing it with a mixture of isooctane
(C8H18) and heptane (C7H16). The rating is
based on the percentage by volume of
isooctane in an isooctane-heptane mixture.
Isooctane – 100 (excellent antiknock quality)
Heptane – 0 ( excessive knocking quality)
shaped, and includes a push rod which Perfect Combustion –occurs when the amount
connects the cam to the rocker arm of air (stoichiometric air) needed is supplied to
PUSH ROD - Push rods are simply hollow steel the fuel.
pipes machined at both ends. The bottom
Complete Combustion –occurs when excess air
contacts the tappet interior, and the top
is provided into the fuel. Too much excess air
contacts the rocker arm
will result in heat losses which may quench
ROCKER ARM - One end is pushed up by the
combustion of fuel. The amount of excess air
push rod which is moved by cam rotation.
depends highly on the type of fuel and the
The other end directly contacts the end of
firing system.
the valve stem, and functions as a lever to
push the Incomplete combustion –occurs when too
VALVE SPRING -Keep the valve pressed firmly little air is supplied into the fuel resulting in
on the valve seat to maintain airtightness the production of unburned carbon, which
when the valve is closed. - Quickly return the forms CO instead of CO2.
valve to its original position after it has been
pushed down by the rocker arm Spontaneous combustion-occurs by self-
VALVE TIMING - The timing of any valve is heating (increase in temperature due to
specified with respect to the instant it begins exothermic internal reactions), followed by
to open and the instant it closes in relation to thermal runaway (self-heating which rapidly
the crankshaft rotation and the piston accelerates to high temperatures) and
position. It would be assumed, ordinarily finally,ignition.
that a valve would start to open at the
beginning of its stroke and be completely Stoichiometric Air - amount of air needed to
closed at the end. completely burn the fuel and turn its by-
product into ash.
VIII. COMBUSTION PROCESS
Vapor Lock/gas lock/ air lock is the partial or
Internal combustion efficiency =20-30% complete interruption of the fuel flow in the fuel
feed system as a result of vaporization of the fuel
Combustion-rapid oxidation of fuel and the formation of vapor or gas bubbles at
accompanied by the production of heat and some point.
light. Rapid fuel oxidation results in a large
amount of heat. Solid or liquid fuel must be Combustion is applied to the process by which a
converted to gas before it is burned. Heat is fuel unites chemically with oxygen, producing of
required to change liquid or solid fuel into gas. what is known as oxide and often generating heat
Gaseous fuel burns if enough air is present. of considerable intensity and sometimes light. It
may be very slow or very rapid action.
Three Elements of Combustion:
Rich mixture – is a fuel mixture containing less
(a) Fuel; (b) Oxygen (Air is 21% O2); and (c) than the required amount of air.
Heat.
Indications of rich mixture
Complete combustion of fuel is possible if 1. black smoke at the exhaust
there is adequate air. Nitrogen in the air 2. lack of power and
reduces combustion efficiency by absorbing the 3. over heating of the engine.
heat from the combusting fuel and by diluting
flue gases. It also combines with oxygen at a Lean mixture – is a fuel mixture containing more
high flame temperature producing nitrogen than the required amount of air (slow burning).
oxide (NOx). Indication of lean mixture
1. uneven firing
Good combustion can be attained by: (a) High 2. lack of power
temperature enough to ignite and maintain 3. overheating
ignition of fuel; (b) Turbulence or intimate
mixing of fuel and oxygen; and (c) Sufficient 1) Functions of the fuel system of compression
time to complete combustion. ignition engines
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NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
• To meter the correct amount of fuel as b.) Thermosiphon system - In addition to the water
demanded by the load jacket about the cylinder, it includes a separate
• To accurately time the beginning and ending reservoir connected at the top and bottom by a
of the fuel injection pipe leading to the upper and lower parts of the
• To inject fuel against very high pressure in cylinder. In tractors, it is replaced by what is
the cylinder known as radiator, this being nothing more than
a tank
2) Functions of the fuel system of spark c.) Forced circulation system - In this method, a
ignition engines water pump is used to force water from the
• To assist in properly vaporizing the fuel radiator to the water jacket of the engine. After
circulating the entire run of water jacket, hot
• To mix the vaporized fuel in the correct
water goes to the radiator, where it passes
proportions with air
through tubes surrounded by air.
• To supply the engine with the proper
quantity of mixture • Composition of the forced circulation system
a. Splash system. The lubrication of all the 2. Vacuum governor (it’s a compact unit that
principal engine parts depends directly on the consist of a housing and the necessary operating
splashing of the oil by a dipper on the bottom mechanism – spring loaded diaphragm s well as
side of the connecting rod cap that dips into the throttle butterfly). Used on stationary units
the crankcase oil each time the piston reaches operating at uniform speed and load.
the bottom dead center.
3. Pneumatic or air-vane governors (flywheel
b. Pressure-feed and splash system. Oil is blades, hinged metal blade, spring, linkages).
forces directly to the main crankshaft, Used on small, air cooled, single cylinder engines
connecting rod, and camshaft bearings. Drilled such as lawn mowers.
passages in the crankshaft carry the oil from
ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS FOR
the main bearings to the connecting-rod
EFFICIENT ENGINE OPERATION
bearings. The oil oozing out of these bearings
creates a spray that lubricates the cylinder The following conditions must exist if the
walls, pistons and piston pins. The valve engine is to operate efficiently:
mechanism is oiled by the pressure from the A. The cylinder should have good compression.
crankcase. To ensure good compression:
1. valves must sit properly on the valve seat;
c. Full-pressure system. Oil is forces not only
2. good fit must exist between piston rings and
in the crankshaft, connecting rod, and camshaft
cylinder wall;
bearings but also to the piston pin bearings
3. use of recommended oil to enable it to seal
through passages. Cylinders and pistons
minute gaps between the piston rings and
receive oil from the piston pins and from the
cylinder wall;
mist creates by the oil issuing from various
4. cylinder head gasket must be tightly
bearings. The valve mechanism is also oiled by
secured.
pressure.
B. The valves must be correctly timed. Engine
XI. GOVERNING SYSTEM manufacturers fix the opening and closing
points of the valves with respect to the
A governor is a device that automatically position and direction of motion of the piston.
regulates the speed of an engine. In general, It is fixed by: 1. providing timing marks
governors are of centrifugal spring-loaded type. between the crankshaft and camshaft timing
gears;
For electric ignition engines, the governing 2. fixing the clearance between the valve and
mechanism is connected to the throttle tappet.
butterfly of the carburetor in such a manner
that it controls and varies the throttle opening C. The correct air-fuel mixture must be
according to the amount of fuel mixture supplied to the cylinder. A 15:1 air-fuel ratio
can be provided by an efficiently air cleaner
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NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
and properly adjusted carburetor. In general, When trouble shooting a small engine, first
there are two carburetor adjustments, the high check the three things any engine must have
speed and the low speed adjustments, neither to start and run:
of which should affect the other. Carburetor
adjustments should always be made on hot (1) Compression; (2) Ignition (spark at the
engine and operating and generally, the low plug); (3) Carburetion (fuel and air into the
speed is made first. cylinder)
D. The occurrence of the spark must be Check the compression by cranking the engine
correctly timed. The combustible mixture must to the point of strongest resistance, and note
be ignited at the right moment so that its whether the engine snaps back. If there seems
maximum effect would be felt when the piston to be no resistance, check to see if the spark
is at TDC. If the maximum effect of ignition plug is tight and its gasket is in place. There
occurs before TDC, there will be knocking and are other reasons for lack of compression but
appreciable loss of power. The piston needs to the checking of these are beyond the capability
reach TDC but the expanding gases is resisting of the ordinary user.
it. If the maximum expansion occurs after TDC,
Check the ignition by removing the cable from
the maximum effect will not be felt resulting
the spark plug, holding the cable about 3/16
in considerable power loss.
inch away from some metal surface on the
There is definite time, though short, between engine and cranking the engine. If a bluish
the ignition of the charge with maximum spark will jump a 3/16-inch gap, the trouble
expansion. If the engine is at low speed, the is not in the ignition but may be in the spark
spark may occur at TDC. However, as engine plug.
speed increases, the spark must occur before
Remove the spark plug and reconnect it with
TDC so that maximum expansion will be felt
the cable. Place the threaded portion of the
at TDC. The higher the speed, the earlier the
plug in contact with some metal surface of the
spark should occur before TDC. This is referred
engine and crank the engine. If a bluish spark
to as spark advance and designated in degrees
is produced at the spark plug gap, the trouble
rotation of the crankshaft.
is not in the spark plug.
E. The moving parts must be properly
Check the carburetion by holding a thumb over
lubricated. Lubricating oil does not only reduce
the spark plug hole while cranking the engine
friction by separating rubbing parts but also
a few turns. Your thumb should be moist with
assists in cleaning the engine of carbon and
gas if fuel is reaching the cylinder. If there is
dirt. This is one reason why there is a need
no gas getting to the cylinder, check the vent
for periodic oil changes.
in the gas tank cap, check for fuel in the tank
F. The temperature of the engine must be and check the fuel lines to see that the fuel is
maintained at optimum level. The main bulk getting to the carburetor.
of the heat rejected by the engine is dissipated
Antiknock (Octane Rating) – it is the antiknock
through the cooling system. For air-cooled
value of fuel determined by comparing it with a
engines, it is necessary that the passages are
mixture of isooctane (C8H18) and heptane
free from dirt for most efficient heat transfer.
(C7H16). The rating is based on the percentage by
For liquid-cooled engines, there should be
volume of isooctane in an isooctane-heptane
sufficient amount of water available in the
mixture.
cooling system to carry away or dissipate the
unwanted heat.
Isooctane – 100 (excellent antiknock quality)
Heptane – 0 ( excessive knocking quality)
XII. TROUBLESHOOTING SMALL
ENGINES Small Diesel Engine
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NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
have to start and run: (1) Compression; (2) • permits shifting of gears without stopping
Fuel injection. the engine
Methods to control detonation: 1. Using Electric motor- lectric motors are machines that
especially designed cylinder heads and pistons to convert electrical energy to mechanical power
so shape the combustion space that the last to by producing rotational motion and torque.
burn portion of the charge will be spread out into Maximum ambient temperature – 400C
a thin sheet and its temperature held down more Most common speed- 1700-1750 rpm
effectively. If a motor will replace or can be operated by man
use, ¼ hp
2. Providing more effective water circulation and To replace a gasoline engine multiply 2/3 tp
cooling around the cylinder head and exhaust gasoline hp
valve.
Motor Applications in Agriculture
3. Using cylinder head and piston materials such
as aluminum alloys that provide more heat 1. Pumping of water for farm household, crop
dissipation. irrigation and others. 2. Driving size reduction
equipment such as hammer mill, attrition mill,
4. Using properly designed spark plugs and roller mill, etc. 3. Powering material handling
locating it on the “hot region” preferably near the equipment such as bucket elevator, screw
exhaust valve. conveyor, belt conveyor, etc.
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NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
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Prepared by: Engr.Ruby D. Marcos I [email protected] I PRC no. 0013628
NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
DC motor that has a series field and shut field plough capable of plowing 1 hectare farm
windings that can be adjusted to the required within 11 to 14 hours.
load.
Farm Tractor – four-wheel tractor with 20hp
d. Synchronous Motor – type of AC motor and above for massive agricultural task such
capable of raising the power factor of systems as plowing, harrowing, seeding and planting,
having large induction motor load. and other operations
b. Capacitor Induction Motor – type of motor 4. Industrial Tractor -machine of any size
capable of starting heavier load than split- designed for various industrial operations and
phase motor. heavy hauling. It has hoisting, excavating,
and/or power loading attachments.
c. Repulsion-Start Induction Motor– type of
motor that develops high starting torque. TRACTOR SIZE DETERMINATION
1. Weight –The heavier the tractor, the bigger
XIII. AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR is the capacity
2. Horsepower–The higher the tractor capacity,
Tractor -engineering vehicle specifically the bigger is its size and the more it is capable
designed to deliver a high tractive effort at of doing heavier and wider operation.
slow speed for the purpose of hauling a trailer 3. Implement Capacity – The more implement
or machinery used in agriculture. A machine the tractor can draw, the bigger is the size and
primarily for traction or pulling an implement. the faster it can finish the operation.
Differential – special arrangement of gears . Power Train –transfers the power from the
that permits one driving member to rotate engine to the drive wheels and to the power
faster than the other and permits operation of take off.
the driving wheel at different speed.
12. Power Take Off -powers an attachment,
Final Drive – gear reduction mechanism the PTO allows the attachment to draw energy
located at the power train between the from the tractor’s engine.
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Prepared by: Engr.Ruby D. Marcos I [email protected] I PRC no. 0013628
NVSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination In-house Review 2025
13. Roll-Over Protective Structure – frame Suministrado D., Agricultural Engineering Board
on open station (non-cab) tractors that provide Review Materials Farm Power and Energy.,
a safe environment for the operator in an (September 2009)., Agricultural Machinery
event of a rollover. Division Institute of Agricultural Engineering
College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial
14. Synchronized Transmission – allows for Technology University of the Philippines Los Baños
the shifting of gears on the move without the College, Laguna
gears clashing.
READ !!!
PAES 130:2002-ELECTRIC MOTOR SPECS
PAES 104:2000- Location and Method of Operation
of Operator’s Controls – Control for Agricultural
Tractors and Machinery
PNS/BAFS 325:2022- Walking-Type Agricultural
Tractor — Specifications — Part 1: Pull-type
PNS/BAFS PABES 301:2020
PNS/BAFS 396:2024 OR PAES 116:2000-
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
References:
Power (Physics).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_(physics)
Energy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy
Non-Renewable Resource.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonrenewable_reso
urce
Human Power.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_power
CIGR. Plant Production Engineering. Volume III.
CIGR Handbook of Agricultural Engineering.
American Society of Agricultural Engineer. USA.
pp. 22-40
UNEP. Energy Efficiency Guide for Industry in Asia.
www.energyefficiencyasia.org
PSME. 2008. Philippine Mechanical Code.
Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers. The
PSME code and Standard Committee. Rm 300B,
3/F Don Lorenzo Bldg., 889 P. Paredes Street,
Sampaloc, Metro Manila, Philippines. 414pp
http://www.kenrockwell.com/190d/index.htm
Engine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine
Firing Order.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firing_order
Fajardo Jr. M. 1988. Simplified Construction
Estimate . Quezon City, Philippines
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Prepared by: Engr.Ruby D. Marcos I [email protected] I PRC no. 0013628