Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region II
Division of Isabela
Doña Aurora National High School
Sta. Rita, Aurora, Isabela

Rice Transplanter
Research Plan
__________________________________________________________

Student Researchers:

Bernardo, Renz Wayne R.

Picio, Beaver J.
Eclar, Korina Mae M.
Figuracion, Precious KC B.
Nool, Jan Lian E.
Pacle, Renmajoy A.
Valdez, Lorraine Mae B.

_____________________________________________________________

Benjelou R. Paraiso
Researcher Adviser
 Research Plan

I. Rationale
The Philippines is the world’s eighth-largest rice producer. Its arable land totals
5.4 million hectares. Rice area harvested has expanded from nearly 3.5 million hectares
in 1995 to about 4.4 million hectares in 2010. However, the country’s rice production is
still very small compared with that of the other major rice-producing countries in Asia.
The country’s production increased by a third from 10.5 million tons in 1995 to 15.8
million tons in 2010. Although the yield increased, it has still way below the yield
potential of modern varieties.
The sad reality is evident in the market shelves and the crop fields, most
Philippine crops, notably rice, still cost more than Thailand or Vietnam price primarily
because of high production cost. The traditional manual transplanting of rice in puddled
soils requires 10 to 20 man-days per hectare. During peak planting period, labor is scarce.
This results in a demand for high wage rate, which makes farm production costly. The
Philippines has one of the lowest rates of mechanical equipment used in Southeast Asia at
half a horsepower (.5 hp) per hectare (hp/ha), according to PhilMech Executive Director
Rex Bingabing. Other agricultural countries in the region like Vietnam and Thailand -
both of which export rice – have a much higher mechanization rate at .7 hp/ha. Fully
industrialized Japan utilizes 7 hp/ha, while developed South Korea recorded 4 hp/ha. This
translates to more efficient work, highe+r productivity and greater yield for their farm.
Filipino farmers rely heavily on manual labor in the land preparation planting and harvest
stages. It is said that 16% of the total rice output was lost due to inefficient farming
methods and equipment.
Although some mechanized rice transplanters are available commercially, most
farmers do not use this invention due to its high price and the incapability of the
machinery on highly water saturated soils.
As a solution to the problem, the researchers will develop a rice transplanter that
is light-weight, cost effective, durable, user-friendly and efficient. The design of the rice
transplanter will be carefully analyzed to adopt on the environment to efficiently do its
job.
With this innovation, farmers can avoid the labor intensive and costly manual rice
transplanting in puddled soils by shifting to a mechanical rice transplanter. With this
project, the researchers, as young Filipino scientists, recommend scientific procedures
which may lead the way to a better future.

II. A. Statement of the Problem

This research study aims to find the answer to the question “Is the Rice Transplanter
efficient for faster rice seedling transplanting?”
Specifically, it will seek to answer to the following:
 1. Is there any significant difference between the Rice Transplanter and the
traditional manual rice transplanting in terms of:
a. length of time the seedlings are replanted in a row?
b. number of seedlings planted in a row?
c. depth of seedlings when planted?
d. number of seedlings survived after transplanting?
2. Is the Rice Transplanter acceptable in terms of its:
a. Affordability?
b. Safety?
c. Durability?
3. Is the Rice Transplanter more practical than the traditional rice replanting?
B. Hypothesis
1. Ha: There is a significant difference between the Rice Transplanter and the traditional
manual rice transplanting in terms of their:
a. length of time the seedlings are replanted in a row
b. number of seedlings planted in a row
c. depth of seedling when planted
d. number of seedlings survived after transplanting
Ho: There is no significant difference between the Rice Transplanter and the traditional
manual rice transplanting in terms of their:
a. length of time the seedlings are replanted in a row
b. number of seedlings planted in a row
c. depth of seedling when planted
d. number of seedlings survived after transplanting
2. Ha: The Rice Transplanter is acceptable in terms of its:
a. Affordability
b. Safety
c. Durability
Ho: The Rice Transplanter is not acceptable in terms of its:
a. Affordability
b. Safety
c. Durability
3. Ha: The Rice Transplanter is more practical than the traditional rice replanting.
Ho: The Rice Transplanter is less practical than the traditional rice replanting.

C. Engineering Goals
This study aims to provide a machinery for local farmers to aid them replanting
rice seedlings. This will also reduce their farm production cost by investing for a rice
transplanter instead of using laborous manual rice planting that adds up the cost on rice
farming.
 The “Rice Transplanter” will mostly be made up of metal to cope with the
working environment. The “Rice Transplanter” will be manually pulled to trigger the
rotation of the main sprocket which is connected to the wheel. Chains will connect the
smaller sprockets from the main sprocket. This allows the four-bar linkage to start. The
machine will contain a skeleton that is made up of metal bars. A seedling tray will be
connected to this skeleton. Trays will be used to keep rice seedlings on the transplanter.
Metal sheet is formed by an industrial process into thin, flat pieces. A metallic wheel will
be connected at the bottom of the transplanter. A large sprocket provides the rotation of
the smaller sprockets to start the mechanism. Chains will connect the large sprocket to
the rest of the smaller sprockets. The smaller sprocket which will be connected to the
shaft will provide the rotation for the fork and four bar mechanism. The four bars in link
are as follows: the crank, can rotate a full 360 degrees, lever, can rotate through a limited
range of angles, connecting rod, and connects the crank and lever, fixed frame, fixed part
in the linkage.
The fork which is attached to the shaft will pick up the seedlings from the tray and
keeps it in horizontal position on the skid. The motion for the shaft is given by the
rotation of the wheel and sprocket arrangement. The simple four-bar mechanism is used
to plant rice seedlings into the soil.
Many rice farmers will derive benefits from this study. The goal is to speed up the
process of transplanting rice and to reduce the farm production cost due to high wage rate
during peak seasons. Also with the use of the “Rice Transplanter” planting time will be
saved and can be used to become more productive in other ways instead of using it in a
time consuming manual labor rice transplanting.

D. Expected Outcome
The study entitled “Rice Transplanter” aims to mitigate the problem in difficulties
in planting rice and to solve the problems of the shortage of laborers during planting peak
seasons. This rice transplanter is expected to speed up the process of transplanting rice
and to reduce the farm production cost due to high wage rate during peak seasons.Time
will be saved and can be used to more productive ways instead of consuming too much of
it in manual rice transplanting.
This study also aims to benefit the common people specially the farmers. Farmers
can avoid the labor intensive and costly manual rice transplanting in puddle soils by
shifting to mechanical rice transplanter.By the use of this mechanical machine it will be
easy for the farmers to replant, it reduces stress, work load, and health risks.
This study is also expected to have a faster planting time of the seedlings, a
uniform number of seedlings planted in a row, a uniform depth of seedling when planted.
Also, it is expected to be affordable, safe, durable and more practical than the traditional
rice planting and other commercial rice transplanters.
General Procedures
A. Collection of Materials
 1pc. 3/4 S.40 G.I pipe
 1pc. 1/4x1 "5mm" flat bar
 8 pcs. F204 pillow block
 1 pc. 1/4 by 1 1/4 angle bar
 2 pc. 428 x 51 T sprocket
 2 pcs. 428x16 T sprocket
 10 pcs. 516 x 1 bolts and nuts with flat washer
 2 pc. 428 H motorcycle chain
B. Assembly of the Rice Planter
1. Assembly of the Four Bar Linkage
a. The 1/4 by 1 1/4 angle bar will be cut into 84.5 cm to form the
handle of the arms.
b. The 1/4 by 1 1/4 angle bar will be cut into 78 cm and will be
curved to form the four arms.
c. The F204 pillow blocks will be installed on each of the pair of
arms, one for the wheel and one for the fork.
d. The galvanized iron will be cut into a ten (10) diameter circular
metal to form the two wheels.
e. The 1/4x1 "5mm" flat bar will be cut into sixteen pieces of 9 cm
metal to form the teeth of the two wheels.
f. Two (2) 20 cm solid round bar will be inserted into each pair
pillow blocks to serve as the shaft of the pair forks and where the
wheels and sprockets will be installed.
g. The 428x16 T sprockets will be inserted on the solid round bar
installed on the pair of pillow blocks located on the rear part of the
transplanter.
h. The 1/4x1 "5mm" flat bar will be cut into 80cm and will be
curved to form the four forks.
i. The forks will be attached on the crank.
j. The wheels and the 428 x 51 T sprockets will be inserted on the
round bar installed on the pair of pillow blocks located on the front
part of the transplanter.
k. The 428 H motorcycle chains will be installed on the 428 x 51 T
(front part) and 428 x 16 T sprockets (rear part).
 2. Assembly of the Skeleton
a. The 1/4 by 1 1/4 angle bar will be cut into pieces to form the
base of the transplanter.
b. The 3/4 S.40 G.I pipe will be cut into 340 cm to form the handle
of the transplanter.
3. Assembly of the Rice Trays
a. The galvanized iron sheet will be cut into 50 x 100 cm
rectangular shape.
b. The edges of the G.I sheet will be folded to form a right angle.
4. Assembly of the Sleigh
a. The two 80cm 1/4x1 "5mm" flat bar will be bolted at both
bottom ends.
b. G.I sheet will be attached to the flat bars to form the sleigh.

C. Preparation of Rice Paddies

1. The rice paddies will be plowed to soften the soil.
2. The rice paddies will be plained and leveled.
3. The water in the rice paddies will be maintained for 2-3 cm above
ground level.

D. Preparation of the Rice Seedlings

1. Soak the rice seeds for 24 hours
2. The seeds will be drained and will be watered every six hours.
3. After 15 days the rice seedlings will be bundled.

E. Testing
1. A skilled farmer will do manual transplanting of rice in 4 by 4 square
meters of land at Pisang, San Manuel, Isabela and at Saranay,
Cabatuan, Isabela.
2. Another skilled farmer will use the rice transplanter in 4 by 4 square
meters of land at Pisang, San Manuel, Isabela and at Saranay,
Cabatuan, Isabela.

F. Data Collection
1. Length of the Time the Seedlings were Transplanted
 a. On 4 by 4 square meters of land a farmer will start
transplanting rice using the manual process and the time of
planting will be recorded.
b. On 4 by 4 square meters of land a farmer will start
transplanting rice using the rice transplanter and the time of
planting will be recorded.
c. The testing will be repeated for 3 trials.
d. The data will be collected and recorded.
2. Number of Seedlings Planted in a Row
a. On 4 by 4 square meters of land a farmer will start
transplanting rice seedlings using the assigned medium for
transplanting.
b. The testing will be repeated for 3 trials.
c. The data will be collected and recorded.
3. Depth of Seedlings When Planted
a. Ten percent (10%) of random rice seedlings from the
population will be chosen and be uprooted.
b. Measure the length of the rice seedlings that were submerge in
the mud.
c. The data will be recorded by getting the average depth of the
planting holes for each treatment.
4. The Number of Seedling Survived After Transplanting
a. The transplanted seedlings will be counted and recorded.
b. The seedlings will be left for 10 days.
c. After the average time the seedling can survived, seedlings in
each treatment that have died or show signs of withering will
be counted and recorded in each treatment.
d. Count the seedlings that have survived.
e. Record the data.
5. Acceptability Test
a. The acceptability test will be conducted on 40 randomly
selected respondent farmers to rate the product considering the
following parameters: (1) affordability, (2) safety and (3)
durability using the following scales:
 Rating
5 1
4 3 2
Parameters (Very (Very
(Good) (Fair) (Poor)
Good) Poor)
Affordability (the price of
the project is lower than
the commercial planter.
Durability (the project’s
ability to exist for a long
period without significant
deterioration.
Safety (the equipment is
designed to prevent
hazardous operation.
Name: Gender: Age:

G. Data Analysis and Interpretation

1. To determine the significant difference between the rice transplanter and the
manual rice transplanting in terms of (1) length of time the seedlings are
transplanted in a row, (2) number of seedlings planted in a row, (3) depth of
seedlings when planted (4) number of seedlings survived after transplanting
will be statistically analyzed using T-test to determine the most efficient
product.
2. The results of the acceptability test will be analyzed and interpreted using the
Chi-Square Test.