Investigations on power requirement of active-passive combination tillage implement

Abstract

In the present study, laboratory experiments were carried out to measure the draft and torque requirements of combination tillage implement (cultivator in the front set and rotavator in the rear set) by varying soil cone indices, peripheral to forward speed ratios (u/v) and depth ratios for a cutting width of 0.41 m and 0.65 m under controlled conditions in a soil bin with sandy clay loam soil at an average moisture content of 10.5 ± 1.2% (dry basis). Individual implements (cultivator and rotavator) of cutting widths of 0.41 and 0.65 m were also operated under similar conditions. Using non linear regression analysis, equations were developed for predicting draft, torque and power requirement of combination tillage implement. The maximum absolute difference between observed and predicted values of power requirement of the implement was found to be 12.43%. Power requirement of the implement was 43.93 and 33.17% lesser than the combined power requirement of individual implements for cutting widths of 0.41 and 0.65 m, respectively. With increase in width of tillage implements, power requirement increases directly due to increase in volume of soil handled. However, with increase in u/v ratio, power requirement decreases due to lesser time the rotavator is in contact with soil. Hence, to reduce the total power requirement of an active passive combination tillage implement, it is better to operate at higher u/v ratio and lesser depth ratio.