Ropeway System for Agriculture

To address the challenge of transporting goods across steep terrain in my farmland at Idukki, I designed and built a fully functional ropeway system spanning over 200 meters. Farmers in the high ranges often struggle to move crops, fertilizers, and other materials due to the rugged landscape. Faced with the same issue in my tea plantation, I applied science and engineering principles to create a practical solution.

The ropeway can carry up to 100 kg per trip in both directions. Its main line is a 10 mm galvanized steel rope capable of withstanding over 2 tonnes of force, supported by 11 galvanized steel poles reinforced with custom-fabricated brackets. The carrier basket runs smoothly along the rope with the help of dual pulleys.

For operation, a ¾-inch plastic rope is used to pull the carrier uphill or allow controlled descent. To power the system, I repurposed an 11 BHP petrol engine from a TVS scooter, integrating it into a custom-built spooling mechanism. The braking system—also adapted from the scooter—provides safe control of loaded descents.

This ropeway system demonstrates how low-cost, locally engineered solutions can address real agricultural challenges and improve productivity in difficult terrains.