Abstract
The study focused on the definition of the impact of the parameters of the applied manure spreaders (loading capacity, size of tyres, the number of driving wheels) on the numerical values of the basic exploitation indices and on soil compaction as well. Research tests were carried out on farms of different arable land areas. The scope of the study included questionnaire surveys, laboratory and exploitation tests, comparison evaluation of fertilization units, verification of the acquired results, as well as recommendation for practical use. A significant growth in productivity (from 0.38 to 1.15 ha/h) was observed together with an increase in the loading capacity of the spreaders, but the following indicators were found to have decreased: surface of soil compaction (from 44 to 15%), field loading (from 412 to 165 kN∙km) and grooves volume (from 165 to 67 m3). Four-wheel spreader of 20 t loading capacity has been characterized by two times higher values of field loading indices (357 kN∙km), groove loading (204 kN/m) and groove volume (110 m3) in comparison with a two-heel spreader with a loading capacity of 10 t.
Highlights
Vehicle-imposed soil compaction is one of the serious concerns in agriculture and is an environmental problem that requires a thorough investigation (Taghavifar, Mardani 2014)
The tests of a manure spreader with two-drum adapter used for the application of fermented manure of weight volume 960 and 600 kg/m3 have shown that for the transversal unevenness of the spreading below 30% its working width amounts to 8 m
On the basis of studies and comparative analysis of machine aggregates for application of manure designed for farms with areas of 28, 90 and 290 ha and annual production of 520, 1665 and 6500 t of manure, the legitimacy of the application of the tested aggregates has been recognized in terms of material and energy inputs, performance data and limited soil compaction
Summary
Vehicle-imposed soil compaction is one of the serious concerns in agriculture and is an environmental problem that requires a thorough investigation (Taghavifar, Mardani 2014). With increasing frequency farmers are buying high-capacity multipurpose spreaders from 6 to 24 t requiring high-power tractors and universal loaders with equipment for manure loading of capacities ranging from 2.5 to 5.0 t and operating efficiencies ranging from 20 to 50 t/h. With some long-season crops such as corn, farmers must often apply manure to fields either in early spring or late fall, when the soil is relatively wet and more susceptible to compaction and other forms of structural degradation, e.g., plastic deformation or shear failure (Baker 2014; McBride et al 2000). Estimates suggest that the area of soil degradation due to compaction in Europe
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