Selecting the Proper Hole-Digger for Usage in Orchards Using Analytical Hierarchy Process

Nowadays, with progress in different sciences and entering logging software and decision-make systems, decision has been deviated from trial and error in agriculture mechanization and aimed to predict prospective and targeted accordingly. Therefore in this research, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with the help of EXPERT CHOICE11 software was employed to select the most appropriate hole-digger for usage in gardens. Three different types of hole-diggers including manual hole-digger, hydraulic hole-digger and three point hitch hole-digger were evaluated in this study. The criteria of selection consisted of the device's price, maneuverability in confined space, ergonomics, ease of utilization and work progression. The importance of device's price, maneuverability in confined space, ergonomics, work progression and finally ease of utilization were equal to 0.366, 0.277, 0.168, 0.121 and 0.068, respectively. The manual hole-digger, which is the cheapest type of diggers, is selected and introduced with 0.403 final value among the three types of hole-diggers as the most appropriate choice option. Inconsistency ratio was calculated equal to 0.05 that is acceptable amount in saaty’s opinion.