Force-Depth Relationships in a Pedogenetically Compacted Clay Loam Soil

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to determine force-depth relationships under constant speed for a subsoiler using a tine with three different wing types operating in a pedogenetically compacted clay loam soil. The results revealed that the vertical force on the tine increased linearly with operating depth. The horizontal force, moment and total force increased quadratically with operating depth. Wing width had a significant effect on the vertical force while no interaction existed between depth and wing width. Wing* had only interactive effects on the horizontal force, moment and total force. The vertical force was small relative to the horizontal force; therefore the horizontal force dominated the moment and total force on the tine under the conditions tested. The angle of application of the total force on the tine varied with depth and with wing width. The data were compared to a three-dimensional soil wedge model of soil failure which accurately predicted the total force but underestimated the horizontal force and greatly overestimated the vertical force.