Zero and reduced ground pressure traffic systems in an arable rotation 1. Cultivation power requirement

Abstract

Cultivation power requirements of zero and reduced ground pressure traffic systems and of a conventional traffic system were compared over five seasons in an arable rotation of potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum L.), spring and winter barley ( Hordeum vulgaris L.) and spring oil-seed rape ( Brassica napus L.). The experimental zero traffic system was based on standard tractors and harvesters, modified only so that their wheels ran on uncropped, permanent wheel tracks at 2.8 m centres, while the tractor wheels in the reduced ground pressure traffic system had all tyres replaced by wide-section, low-inflation pressure tyres that ran on the cropped areas. The soil type was a gleysol (FAO). In all three traffic systems, draught forces were measured for primary cultivations using an eight-tined chisel plough, as well as engine power consumption for most primary and secondary cultivations. In addition, all possible opportunities were taken to reduce the depth or number of cultivations or to improve their timing for all three traffic systems. There was a 74% increase in draught force and 49% and 46% increases in power consumption for primary and secondary cultivations, respectively, in the reduced ground pressure and conventional systems in comparison with those for the zero traffic system. Power consumption for secondary cultivations in the conventional traffic system was 23% greater than that in the reduced ground pressure system. Opportunities for earlier cultivations and sowing, up to a maximum of 5 days, were confined to the zero traffic system in the spring barley, winter barley and spring oil-seed rape crops only.