DISK SPACING MODEL FOR OPTIMIZING GANG PERFORMANCE

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effect of disk spacing and gang angle on gang forces was investigated. Two conventional disk shapes were used at two gang angles. One angle provided soil clearance on the back side of the disk; the other was a commonly used angle which resulted in soil pressure on the back side of the disk. All tests were mn at a speed of 1.3 m/s and a depth of 150 mm. The forces on a disk gang were found to vary linearly with the spacing as disk spacing was varied from 100 to 500 mm. A model was developed which described the soil forces as a function of the number of disks and the spacing of the disks in a gang. Results showed that changing disk spacing significantly changed disk gang forces. The disk gang force model was used to explore possibilities for design of disk harrows for maximum or minimum forces. The model was also used to determine the disk spacing at which no ballast was needed to force the harrow to operating depth.