Soil-Bin Performance of a Modified Bent Leg Plow

Abstract

The present study was conducted to design and develop a new shape of bent leg plow (BL). The main difference between modified and conventional BL plows is the direction of angle between cutting blade and the line perpendicular to the plow shank. Soil-bin tests were conducted to study the performance of the modified plow as compared to the conventional one. The draft force requirement was measured in both designs at three rake angles (7.5, 15, and 22.5). Changes in draft force requirements and soil physical properties including plowed soil bulk density and cross-sectional area of soil disturbed were measured and compared for both designs. Soil disturbance efficiency was also calculated for all treatments. Draft force was significantly affected by blade type and rake angle and was minimum at rake angle of 7.5. Other results showed that the modified BL plow was the most energy efficient treatment when operating at a rake angle of 15. Minimum plowed soil bulk density (1.04 Mg m-3) was observed in the energy efficient treatment (modified BL at rake angle of 15). The lower draft requirement and considerable improvement in soil physical conditions suggested application of modified BL plow as a replacement for conventional model; it was especially true where the soil had excessive compaction.