Movement of Soil by Sweep Injection tools

Abstract

Soil movement (translocation) and dispersion by injection tools result in significant agricultural and environmental problems. However, it has been overlooked because prior studies have focused mainly on the forward translocation (X) of soil by tillage tools. This research was under taken to quantify soil translocation by injection tools in X, Y, and Z co-ordinates. Three different sweep injection tools were tested in an indoor soil bin at the U of M. Soil translocation was measured for three injection depths (50, 100, 150 mm), two tool forward speeds (0.6 and 1.4 m/s), and two soil moisture contents (14 and 18%). Numbered PVC point-tracers with a side length of 10 mm were used to measure translocation. For all sweeps, forward translocation increased significantly with injection depth and tool forward speed, but not with soil moisture content. Changes in speed increased forward translocation by a factor of 1.5, while lateral translocation increased by a factor of 2.7. Lateral translocation of soil was not affected by injection depth and soil moisture content. A high speed tends to expose manure, while low speed provided a partial covering over the injection slot opening. Injection depth and soil moisture content had a significant effect on net mean vertical translocation for all sweeps, but not with tool forward speed.