College of Engineering > Academic Programs > Biosystems Engineering > About BSEN > Facilities > Departmental Laboratories > Multiuse Laboratory

Multiuse Laboratory

Corley Annex 106

• John Fulton

This laboratory is configured to support ongoing research,teaching and extension focused on the areas of off-highway machinery automationwhich includes precision agriculture / forestry.  The high-bay space provides the capability tooperate and test large equipment with a total of 1833 square feet of area. Equipment includes a PTO dynamometer is used in this space for engine testing exercisealong with a spray table to testing nozzles and tips.  Additional equipment used within this lab isdescribed below.

Equipment:

John Deere ^® 6420 -This tractor utilizes an infinitely variable transmission (IVT), a new option provided by John Deere. It is equipped with the latest in auto-guidance, field documentation software, and variable-rate application technology. These include the GREENSTAR ^TM AutoTrac ^TM Assisted Steering system, a Rawson ^® variable-rate controller, a Raven ^® Viper ^TM unit with in-field mapping capabilities and variable-rate control, a Trimble ^® EZ-Guide ^TM light-bar system, and a Topcon . Showcasing the equipment in this way provides an opportunity to demonstrate current Precision Agriculture/Forestry technologies during crop field days, farmer and extension agent training events, and Biosystems courses. The tractor also used extensively for various research projects within the department.

Caterpillar® TimberKing ^TM HF221 Felling Head -Supplied by Caterpillar® Forest Products Group, this device serves as a testing stand for the development of new sensing and monitoring equipment for timber stand quality and yield assessment.

Chandler Variable-Rate Fertilizer / Lime Spreader –This application unit allows for the application of granular fertilizers and lime in a site-specific manner.  The spreader is being used to support ongoing research and extension activities looking at delivery accuracy and distribution uniformity along with product segregation of blended fertilizers.

Chandler Variable-Rate Litter Spreader –Management and application of litter continues to be important in the State of Alabama.  This spreader is currently being used for research focusing on enhancing on-farm usage of poultry litter through the development and evaluation of new control technologies.  Close-loop spinner speed control along with real-time sensors for litter moisture are new instrumentation systems being research to improve application accuracy of litter for Alabama farmers.  Auto-calibration procedures are also being investigated to ensure peak performance of litter spreaders over time.