Comparison between the field performance of a Movable boards Ditch opener and conventional ditch opener in cultivated and uncultivated soils Part4: The Energy Utilization Efficiency

Abstract

Energy utilization efficiency (EUE) for Movable boards ditch opener (MB) and for conventional ditch opener (CD) were compared using three operating depths for MB(30, 40 and 50cm), three angles between its movable boards, three foot wings widths and two soil types (cultivated an uncultivated soils). For CD there was one angle between its boards (65°), they were permanently fastened, one share width (35cm), one operating depth in the uncultivated soil only (25cm), could not penetrate such soil, and three operating depths in the cultivated soil.The results showed that EUE for MB increased as the operating depth increased in the cultivated and uncultivated soil whereas, for CD it increased in the cultivated soil only whereas, it could not penetrate the uncultivated soil more than 25 cm. However, the rate of increase was almost the same for both implements in the cultivated soil, EUE for CD increased from 5.57 to 7.93m3MJ−1 (2.36m3MJ−1) whereas, for MB, it increased from 9.64 to 11.78m3MJ−1 (2.14m3MJ−1). EUE for MB also increased with angle between its boards and the width of the wings of its foot while for CD did not occurred because it boards were permanently fastened to the machine frame at angle of 65° and it was provided with share rather than wings. EUE for MB was higher in the cultivated soil comparing with uncultivated soil.EUE for MB was higher than that for CD for all operating depths, angle between the boards and the width of the wings of the foot and in both soil types. The results showed that MB surpassed CD in field performance in addition to that it can penetrate the soil to the required depth whether it was cultivated or uncultivated soil. It also can produced different cross-section width ditches whereas, CD can produce one cross-section width ditches.