Spike Tooth Research Articles

Evaluation of Tractor Mounted Axial Flow Combine Harvester for Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.)

A cost-effective, tractor mounted axial flow combine harvester designed to minimize harvesting losses was evaluated. Performance evaluation of the machine was done on summer mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) under various operational conditions: three forward speeds (FS): 2.1, 3.0, and 4.8 km h-1, three-cylinder peripheral speeds (PS): 11.08, 13.16, and 14.79 m s-1, and days after irrigation (DAI): 2, 4, and 6 days after last irrigation. Threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency, broken percentage, shattering losses, and non-collectable losses were estimated. Cost of operation of the combine harvester was compared with manual harvesting and subsequent threshing using a spike tooth type thresher. The results show that the threshing efficiency and grain breakage increased by 1.1% and 1.01%, respectively, with an increase in DAI and PS, however, both these parameters decreased with an increase in FS. The non-collectable loss increased by 0.9% with an increase in FS and DAI; however, PS did not affect the non-collectable losses. The cleaning efficiency increased with an increase in FS, but it decreased with an increase in PS and DAI. The shattering loss increased with an increase in FS and DAI, although PS had no impact. The best combination of operational variables for threshing operation was found for treatment combination of 6 days after last irrigation, with a cylinder peripheral speed of 14.79 m s-1 and a forward speed of 3.0 km h-1. At this combination, threshing efficiency, non-collectable losses, grain breakage, and cleaning efficiency were 99.28%, 4.53%, 2.96%, and 95.89%, respectively. This combine-harvester saved 91.75% in labor costs and 53.71% in harvesting costs compared to the combination of manual harvesting and subsequent threshing using a spike tooth type thresher.

The Lifting Performance and Experimental Study of a Variable Spiral Spike-Toothed Crop Divider

The contact between a traditional crop divider and sugarcane is unstable, and the sugarcane easily slides off of its surface. By analyzing the movement process of sugarcane, the influence of traditional spiral flightings on lifting performance was studied, and shortcomings were also found. Based on previous research and analysis, the variable spiral spike-toothed crop divider was designed by research groups. For sugarcane with different lodging states, the contact separation rule between the sugarcane and the spike tooth was studied, and the action time and angle of the spike tooth on sugarcane were obtained. At the same time, the interaction mechanism between sugarcane and the spike tooth was analyzed, and the conditions for lodged canes to be lifted were obtained. The influence of the spike tooth on the lifting performance was explored, and the working advantages were found for the spike-toothed crop divider. Then, a simulation test was conducted to obtain the contact force between the sugarcane and the crop divider. Finally, the crop divider was optimized and integrated into the harvester, and a field harvesting test was carried out to verify the working performance of the crop divider. This study was expected to provide a reference for the design of crop dividers and a theoretical basis for the analysis of the lifting process.

Optimization of Pertinent Variables for Threshing of Sesame Crop using a Test Rig

Background: The traditional methods of threshing operations are most time consuming, energy intensive, labour intensive, drudgery prone and uneconomical. The development of mechanical sesame thresher has clearly an edge over conventional methods and reduces the drudgery of work to a great extent. Methods: The pertinent variables that influence the development of sesame thresher were identified and levels of variables were selected. The interactive effect of selected levels of variables viz., peripheral velocity of the threshing cylinder (7.9, 11.0 and 14.1 ms-1), concave clearance (10, 15 and 20 mm), type of threshing cylinder (wire loop, spike tooth and rasp bar) and moisture content of harvested sesame capsule 21.4, 16.8 and 15.1 per cent moisture content (d.b) was investigated on threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency and per cent damage caused to the threshed sesame grains using an experimental sesame thresher test rig under laboratory condition. Result: Threshing effectiveness of experimental sesame thresher was found to be affected significantly by moisture content of harvested sesame capsule followed by type of threshing cylinder, peripheral velocity of threshing cylinder and concave clearance. The combination level of 11.0 ms-1 peripheral velocity of threshing cylinder, 15 mm concave clearance, spike tooth type cylinder and 16.8 per cent (d.b) moisture content of harvested sesame capsule which yielded the maximum threshing efficiency of 99.0 per cent, maximum cleaning efficiency of 99.4 per cent and minimum per cent visible damage to threshed sesame grains of 0.79, is optimized for the sesame thresher.

Harvesting and Threshing Methods for Paddy-II: A Review

Threshing of paddy crop is carried out using manual, animal or mechanized power sources depends on the farmland size. In a thresher, rasp bar, spike tooth, peg tooth and wire-loop type threshing elements can be fitted with the threshing cylinder irrespective of direction of crop feed and flow. Different elements are responsible to thresh the crop with different actions which include impact, rubbing, combing, squeezing and their combination. This review was carried out to explore the effect of different threshing elements and threshing methods on performance of paddy threshing. Unlike threshing of other cereal crops, hull removal is not required in paddy. Selection of threshing elements based on the crop to be threshed. The type of threshing element determines the threshing efficiency, energy requirement and grain loss. Among rasp bar, spike tooth, peg tooth and wire-loop type threshing elements, wire-loop type was found to be most suitable for paddy threshing. Factors like cylinder speed, cylinder type and diameter, concave clearance and throughput rate affect the threshing performance. A low speed of cylinder produces more un-threshed grains. It can be compensated using for axial flow thresher as it has high crop retention period. Contrarily, a high speed is responsible for better threshing efficiency along with the more grain breakage and energy consumption. Using tangential flow thresher crop retention period can be minimized. The work rate of pedal and power thresher was, respectively 2 and 10 times more than that of manual threshing. The average threshing efficiency of pedal thresher, power thresher and combine harvester was reported to be 97 to 99%, 96.30 to 99.75% and 98.5%, respectively.

Design and performance testing of areca nut thresher machine using solid triangle spike tooth type

Technology for handling agricultural products from areca nut has received less attention. However, the economic potential of the areca nut is comparable to that of other palm trees. Threshing areca nut from the bunch is one of the procedures that must be completed to obtain high-quality betel nut. Therefore, this research aims to design and test an areca nut threshing machine that uses a solid triangle spike-type threshing tooth. This study uses an experimental manufacturing method in the workshop and laboratory testing. A detailed engineering drawing of areca nut thresher machine is a guide in carrying out the manufacturer. The influence of rotational speed on the threshing shaft (34 rpm, 42 rpm, and 50 rpm) was investigated to determine the machinery’s performance (percentage of threshing results, engine capacity, and fuel consumption). This study indicates that the areca thresher machine has been successfully designed with a diesel motor driving source of 6.5 hp, 2200 rpm. Applied a rotational speed of 50 rpm will give the best percentage of threshing products. The increase in rotational speed applied to the threshing machine will be in line with the rise in the engine capacity. In addition, the fuel consumption of a diesel engine from this thresher machine is 0.039 l/hr.

Stale seedbed preparation for sustainable weed seed bank management in organic cropping systems

Stale seedbed preparation is a neglected agronomic strategy used to decrease weed seed banks. The experiments aimed to verify the quantity-qualitative seed bank reduction after different soil tillage typologies: rotary cultivator, rotary harrowing and spike tooth harrowing (tillage depth in each case uniformed to about 15 cm). Tillage was carried out during the spring-summer period, with five tillage sequences spaced about 30-40 days. The weed seedbank analysis (10-30 cm) showed that beyond a 10 cm soil depth, the buried seeds were unaffected irrespective of the kind of soil tillage since no seed depletion was observed. In contrast, weed seed bank was heavily depleted in the shallowest soil layer (0-10 cm) due to the germination trigger induced by the soil aeration and by the consequent increase of oxygen availability after tillage. This seed bank reduction, was proportional to the degree of soil crumbling induced by the different tillage methods and it was higher in the case of the smaller soil clods size. Each weed species showed the highest emergence dynamics when soil tillage was carried out during the periods most suitable to meet the respective thermal requirements. Indeed the earliest soil tillage in April triggered germination and emergence of microthermal weeds, while those carried out in May and June triggered the emergence dynamics of weeds characterized by higher thermal requirements. The emergence rate, after the stale seedbed preparation, showed high values overall in the case of deep soil crumbling. In addition the extent of soil crumbling was positively related to the biodiversity of the emerged weed communities. The weed species that were the least sensitive to stale seedbed preparation were those characterized by small seeds and consequently those species would be more difficult to reduce through stale seedbed preparation.

Development and evaluation of a sesame thresher as influenced by crop, machine and operational parameters

The development of a sesame thresher for the purpose has clearly an edge over conventional methods of threshing and reduce the drudgery of work to a great extent. Due to the scarcity of daily labours, it is essential to bring in a sesame thresher, which is cost-effective, compact, reduce threshing losses and easy to use for sesame cultivars. The laboratory experiments were conducted with different levels of variables, from that the combination level of 11.0 ms-1 peripheral velocity of threshing cylinder, 15 mm concave clearance, spike tooth type cylinder and 16.8 % (d.b) moisture content of harvested sesame capsule were selected. The selected combination level yielding the maximum threshing efficiency of 99.0 %, maximum cleaning efficiency of 99.4 % and minimum % visible damage to threshed sesame grains of 0.79 %, was optimized for the development of prototype sesame thresher. A prototype sesame thresher consisting of a mainframe, threshing unit, blower and sieve assembly, feed chute, power transmission system and transport wheels was developed with optimized level of variables. The prototype sesame thresher was evaluated for its performance in comparison with the conventional method of sesame threshing. Compared with the manual method of threshing, the prototype sesame thresher resulted in 17, 12, and 1.2 % savings in threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency, and % visible damage to threshed sesame grains. The prototype sesame thresher results in 87 % and 83 % saving in time and cost respectively when compared to the conventional method of manual threshing.

Optimal Design and Simulation Analysis of Spike Tooth Threshing Component Based on DEM

This paper takes a local drum-type corn thresher as an example. In order to make the threshing principle transform to the plate-tooth type, the width of the spike-tooth threshing component is increased gradually, and three threshing components of different shape and size are selected as the research objects. Based on the preliminary experimental research, the corn threshing process is simulation analyzed using the self-developed corn threshing process analysis software. The effects of the width of the threshing component on the corn ears threshing rate and kernel damage rate under different rates of drum rotation were studied from a macroscopic perspective. The results show that with the increase of drum rotation rate, both the corn ear threshing rate and kernel damage rate increase; with the increase of threshing component width, the threshing rate increases and the damage rate decreases; and when the component width is too large, the stacking between adjacent components has an impact on the threshing performance. The effects of threshing component width on the amount of kernel threshing and the total compressive force during the simulation time were investigated from microscopic perspective at different rates of drum rotation, and the results show that the microscopic analysis is consistent with the macroscopic analysis. Therefore, the optimization of the structural parameters and operating parameters of the threshing component was achieved. When the width of the threshing component was 25 mm and the roller speed was 187.50 rpm, the threshing performance was optimal, with a 98.04% corn ears threshing rate and a 2.56% kernel damage rate. This paper verifies the practical applicability of the corn threshing process analysis software and provides a reference for the optimal design of threshing devices.

Effect of feeding rate and threshing cylinder speed on the performance of tractor operated paddy thresher

The experiment was conducted on tractor operated paddy thresher at Lohar Khera and Sanga in Fatehabad (Haryana). The main purpose of this research work was to estimate the operational cost and performance evaluation for spike tooth type paddy thresher. In this study, the paddy thresher was tested at different cylinder speeds (12, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 m/sec) and feeding rates (0.38, 0.45, 0.49, 0.56, 0.62, 0.68 and 0.74 kg/sec). The variation in speed was achieved by using stepped pulley system. The operational cost of paddy thresher was estimated by the straight-line method of depreciation. The operational cost and fuel consumption of tractor operated paddy thresher was found to be about 380 Rs/hr and 2.75 litre/hr, respectively. The maximum threshing efficiency and cleaning efficiency were obtained as 98.80 % and 99.10 % at feed rate of 0.56 kg/sec and 0.38 kg/sec, respectively. The total minimum loss was obtained as 1.12 % and 2.80 % at feeding rate of 0.38 kg/sec and 25 m/sec cylinder speed, respectively. From this study, it was concluded that the threshing efficiency of the thresher increases with cylinder speed up to 25m/sec and then decreases. The cleaning efficiency increases continuously with threshing cylinder speed. It may be as such, because at higher speeds, the blower delivers more volume of air which helps to clean the output of the thresher.

EFFECT OF SOIL MOISTURE AND PULVERIZATION IMPLEMENTS ON TILLAGE APPEARANCE AND SOIL PROPERTIES

The experiment was conducted at the fields of Agriculture College-University of Baghdad Al- Jadiriyah in 2015 in sandy loam soil in order to evaluate the effect of soil moisture level and pulverization implement on tillage appearance and some soil physical properties. Two levels of soil moisture included fist moisture level 14-16% and second moisture level 18-20% and pulverization implements included: disc harrow, Spring Spike tooth harrow and rotary harrow were used. Soil surface roughness, number of clods with diameter larger than 5 cm/m2, disturbed soil volume, and soil total porosity were measured. Split plot design under randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates was used. The results were showed that Rotary harrow and 14-16% moisture level superior in obtained the best soil surface roughness, less number of clods > 5cm/m2 which was 7.56 clod/m2, while Spring Spike tooth Harrow and 18-20% moisture level was superior in record highest disturbed soil volume which was 761.56 m3/ hr and soil porosity of 55.78 %. Using locally manufactured ultrasonic device for measuring soil surface roughness was done successfully in this experiment with high performance efficiency.

Machine Crop Parameters’ Model of Spike - Tooth Thresher for Soybean

The goal of regular modification of threshing machine is to increase soybean processing efficiency. This study was carried out to deconstruct the thresher’s parameter - output relationship and to evolve a model for such relationship at the Engineering workshop of the Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria. Unthreshed soybeans, CGX14x1448 were used to evaluate the performance of a modified spike tooth thresher fabricated at the Workshop. The summary statistics of the machine output showed that concave clearance had percentage unthreshed soybean of 16.98%, percentage mechanically damaged seed of 8.625%, blown seed of 23.403kg and high seed loss of 44.241kg. Both the mean cleaning efficiency (94.175) and threshing efficiency (83.022) were very high. The trend of the cylinder speed however contrasts with those of concave clearance and moisture content. The percentage unthreshed (83.212%), percentage mechanical damage (16.792%) were in contrast to each other. Similarly, the threshing (44.108) and cleaning (23.321) efficiency were low. The relationships between cylinder speed and machine output showed an increasing trends for blown seed, percentage damaged seed and seed loss. Concave clearance - threshing efficiency can be predicted using 3 most parsimonious models (xy-inverse, exponential and simple linear model). High adjusted coefficients of determinations (R2) were obtained for the best model of cylinder speed - threshing efficiency model. These were 0.9997 for the xy inverse and 0.9998 for quadratic 0.993 for exponential model with estimation variance of 0.00047 (quadratic), 0.000 for inverse xy and 0.000191 (exponential model). The practical application of the models is in the specificity of the measurement of the relationship between thresher’s parameters and output.

内外滚筒旋转式荞麦脱粒装置设计与脱出物研究

In order to study the distribution of buckwheat threshing outputs, on the self-designed internal and external rotary roller buckwheat threshing device test bench, the feeding amount was 0.5 kg/s, the internal roller speed was 380 r/min, and the external roller speed was +50 r/min (same direction as the internal roller), 0 r/min and -50 r/min (reverse direction compared to the internal roller) for threshing test. By analysing the overall condition of the threshing outputs, the content of each component in the threshing outputs, and the axial distribution of the threshing roller, it was found that the receiving box below the rasp bar roller mainly contained grains and chaff, leaves and petals, and the receiving box below the spike tooth roller mainly contained short stalks. Under the three conditions, the proportion of chaff in the threshing outputs was 40-45%, the proportion of leaves and petals was 23-29%, the proportion of grains was 13-19%, the proportion of short stalks was 14-16%. Grains, chaff, leaves and petals were mainly concentrated at the front, and short stalks were mainly distributed at the rear of the threshing roller, providing a theoretical basis for the design of the cleaning system.

Sugarcane Root Development and Yield under Different Soil Tillage Practices

ABSTRACT New strategies for sugarcane production have been very important since the incorporation of ethanol in the Brazilian energy mix in the early 1970s. Prior to planting sugarcane, the soil is prepared, and this process can affect root development and, consequently, sugarcane production. This study was conducted in an area of sugarcane crop renewal in the Cerrado biome (Brazilian tropical savanna), with the objective of identifying which tillage system generates the better root development and improved yield in sugarcane. The treatments were: 1) weed desiccation + moldboard plowing (0.4 m) + mild spike tooth harrowing (0.15 m); 2) subsoiler (0.3 m) + mild spike tooth harrowing (0.15 m); 3) weed desiccation + no-tillage (furrow opening and fertilizer); 4) weed desiccation + subsoiler (0.4 m); 5) ratoon destruction + subsoiler (0.4 m); 6) ratoon destruction + spike tooth harrowing (0.2 m) + moldboard plowing (0.4 m) + mild spike tooth harrowing (0.15 m). Characteristics of the sugarcane root system, such as the root length density, average distance between roots, and root soil exploration, after the first harvest (1.5 years) were studied. Root length density was greater for the treatments that included plowing (0.4 m) and harrowing (0.15 m) operations. The average distance between roots was low in the no-tillage system. The highest sugarcane yield in the plant crop was achieved by management practices with more extensive soil profile disturbances, like plowing followed by harrowing.

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Spring-Loaded Hand Operated Maize Sheller with Variable Mechanisms

A spring-press, variable mechanism hand operated maize sheller was developed, constructed and tested with corn cobs at 12.6% moisture content, wet basis (w.b) and its shelling performances compared. The machine is lever operated with a spring load-return mechanism and a cob constrictor with changeable shelling mechanisms (spike tooth, rasp bar and star tooth), and a tilted tray for grain collection. The overall dimension of the machine is 520mm x 520mm x 400mm. The machine overall performance is 20.62kg/hr shelling capacity, 85.13% shelling efficiency and 2.13% kernel damage. Comparing the performance of the three shelling mechanisms; rasp bar, spike tooth and star tooth, shelling capacity (16.2, 26.0, 19.67) kg/hr.; shelling efficiency (82.22%, 87.19%, 85.97%); and % kernel damage (0.00, 0.74, 0.51) respectively, the star mechanism has a higher capacity of 26.0kg/hr. The mean kernel damage is higher for star tooth, whereas it is zero for rasp bar. In comparison with conventional hand-palm shelling method (100% shelling efficiency, 13.83kg/hr shelling capacity and 0% kernel damage), the hand operated sheller has a better output capacity, reasonable shelling efficiency but slightly higher kernel damage. By implication, machine performance efficiency does not give a true reflection of how effective a system work until the machine capacity is determined. The sheller ease household shelling maize for consumption with initial low production cost of N13, 100.00 (~$30).

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Spring-Loaded Hand Operated Maize Sheller with Variable Mechanisms

A spring-press, variable mechanism hand operated maize sheller was developed, constructed and tested with corn cobs at 12.6% moisture content, wet basis (w.b) and its shelling performances compared. The machine is lever operated with a spring load-return mechanism and a cob constrictor with changeable shelling mechanisms (spike tooth, rasp bar and star tooth), and a tilted tray for grain collection. The overall dimension of the machine is 520mm x 520mm x 400mm. The machine overall performance is 20.62kg/hr shelling capacity, 85.13% shelling efficiency and 2.13% kernel damage. Comparing the performance of the three shelling mechanisms; rasp bar, spike tooth and star tooth, shelling capacity (16.2, 26.0, 19.67) kg/hr.; shelling efficiency (82.22%, 87.19%, 85.97%); and % kernel damage (0.00, 0.74, 0.51) respectively, the star mechanism has a higher capacity of 26.0kg/hr. The mean kernel damage is higher for star tooth, whereas it is zero for rasp bar. In comparison with conventional hand-palm shelling method (100% shelling efficiency, 13.83kg/hr shelling capacity and 0% kernel damage), the hand operated sheller has a better output capacity, reasonable shelling efficiency but slightly higher kernel damage. By implication, machine performance efficiency does not give a true reflection of how effective a system work until the machine capacity is determined. The sheller ease household shelling maize for consumption with initial low production cost of N13, 100.00 (~$30).

Investigations on effect of cylinder configuration of rectangular spiked tooth thresher on threshing performance of wheat crop

Nearly 90% of wheat threshers are spike tooth type and majority of them are operated by a prime mover of 3-4 kW. These threshers available in the market have cylinder and blower on the same shaft and hence are not suitable for threshing other crops. The machine factors which affect the quality and efficiency of threshing are feeding chute angle, spike shape, size and numbers, cylinder type, cylinder diameter, concave size, shape and clearance. In the threshing, standardization and improvement of critical component viz threshing cylinder configuration can bring down the total power consumption to 2/3. Therefore investigation was taken for manufacturing of threshing cylinders with different configuration and their testing for standardization. The threshing cylinder of rectangular spike of 6 mm thickness and 600 mm tip diameter yielded maximum output capacity (372 kg/h) with minimum specific power consumption (0.971 kWh/q) at maximum feed rate ((780 kg/h). The maximum threshing efficiency (99.91%) and minimum wheat straw length (21 mm) was obtained corresponding to the same configuration and feed rate. The minimum broken grain (0.20%) and total loss (0.43%) were at tip diameter of 500 mm and spike thickness of 6 mm corresponding to maximum feed rate (780 kg/h). The output capacity was above 300 kg/h at maximum feed rate (780 kg/h) for all the tip diameter and spike thickness. The maximum wheat straw split (88.60%) was at 780 kg/h feed rate corresponding to tip diameter of 550 mm and spike thickness of 6 mm. The maximum cleaning efficiency (99.52%) was at maximum feed rate (780 kg/h) corresponding to tip diameter of 550 mm and spike thickness of 6 mm. The wheat straw size for maximum output capacity and threshing efficiency were 22.43 mm at tip diameter of 600 mm and spike thickness of 6 mm corresponding to maximum feed rate (780 kg/h). For higher threshing efficiency, fine straw quality and minimum specific power consumption, rectangular spiked threshing cylinder of 600 mm tip diameter and spike thickness of 6 mm gave best performance results with total grain loss within permissible limit.

Combined effect of land preparation methods and planting geometry on the performance of machine transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Field experiment on effect of land preparation methods and planting geometry on growth and yield of machine transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Gangavathi, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka during kharif, 2012 and 2013 in clay soil under irrigated condition.Pooled mean indicated that, among the different land preparation methods and planting geometry puddling with rotovator fb levelling with spike tooth harrow and planting geometry of 30 x 21 cm recorded significantly higher growth parameters viz., Leaf area index ( 2.87 and 1.56, respectively) , dry matter accumulation in leaves (13.44 and 14.43 g plant-1, respectively), dry matter accumulation in stem (26.25 and 29.31 g plant-1 , respectively), dry matter accumulation in panicles ( 37.21 and 41.38 g plant-1 , respectively), total dry matter accumulation in plant (73.82 and 85.12 g plant-1, respectively), thousand grain weight (18.17 and 18.71,g respectively), grain yield (4906 and 5192 kg ha-1 , respectively), straw yield (6247 and 6508 kg ha-1, respectively), gross returns (Rs. 87,733 and 92779 ha-1, respectively), net returns (Rs. 46329 and 50007 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.14 and 2.20 ). Puddling with rotovator fb levelling with spike tooth harrow and 30 x 21 cm spacing were found better for transplanting of rice by self propelled mechanical transplanter. Land preparation would be helpful as one of the important pre requirement in machine transplanting of rice, which in turn will decide the time (time required for settling of soil particle) and type of machine to be used for transplanting of rice.

OF EFFECT OF SOME SOIL TILLAGE SYSTEMS ON TILLAGE APPEARANCE AND SOME TECHNICAL INDICATORS MACHINARY UNITS

The experiment was conducted on a farm of the College of Agriculture - University of Baghdad for the year 2015 in silt-clay loam soil in order to evaluate the effect of tillage equipment on tillage appearance and some the technical indicators. The tractor" ITM– 285"with tillage systems implements tow factors included, three primary tillage implements included: Moldboard plow, Chisel plow and sweep plow and three pulverization implement included :disc harrow, spring spike tooth harrow and rotary harrow studying the effect of these factors on: Number of clods > 10cm , number of clods < 5cm, disturbed soil volume ,and total porosity in this reseach . Treatment were Laid out using split –plot with randomized complete block design in three replicates. The results showed that sweep plow superior in obtained less number of clods > 10cm/m2 which was 12.7 clod/m2, less number of clods > 5cm/ m2 which was 21.28 clod/m2 and highest soil porosity which was 57.11% compared with chisel plow and moldboard plow , chisel plow showed the superior in getting higher disturbed soil volume which was 663.3m3/ hr compared with other plows. Rotary harrow obtained less number of clods > 5cm/m2 which was 25.06 clod / m2, less soil porosity which was 54.78% compared with disc harrow and spring spike tooth harrow. Spring Spike tooth Harrow obtained highest disturbed soil volume which was 1021.4 m3/ hr. The interference between sweep plow with rotary harrow got less number of clods > 5cm/m2 which was 16.83 clod/m2, mean while chisel plow with spring spike tooth harrow got highest disturbed soil volume which was1027.8 m3/ hr, while sweep plow with spring spike tooth harrow was superior to obtain highest soil porosity which was 58.67 %.

PREDICTION TO EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCY PERFORMANCE OF SOME SOIL PREPARATION EQUIPMENT

An experiment was conducted on a farm at the College of Agriculture – University of Baghdad in a silty clay loam soil. “New Holland tractor was used with the following equipment (rotary harrow, spring spike tooth harrow, disk harrow, disk ridger, ditcher and land plane) as a machinery unit. Studied treatments were laid out using split plot with a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The experiment consisted of two factors, the first included harrow types: rotary, spring spike tooth and disk harrow which represented main plots. The second factor included special equipment types: disk ridger, ditcher and land plane which represented sub plots. Effective field capacity, fuel consumption, soil disturbed volume, Energy requirements, slippage percentage as well as equipment effective depth was determined in this experiment. Results obtained indicated that land plane highest rate of field capacity (1.40 ha / hour) and less depth treatment averaged (16.26 cm) and the lowest rate of energy requirements (72.53 kW. h / ha) and the highest rate of the soil disturbed volume (2276.70 m 3 / h), while ditcher recorded lowest rate of field capacity (0.65 ha / hour) and the highest rate of energy requirements (148.54 kW. h / ha) and the highest rate of fuel consumption (32.15 L / h). the highest rate of the depth of treatment (18.92 cm) and the lowest rate for the soil disturbed volume ( 1224.87 m 3 / h) and the highest slippage percentage (10.40%). Superiority in disk ridger recorded the lowest rate of fuel consumption (28.88 L / h) and the lowest slippage percentage (8.09%). Research indicated that disk ridger was the best in the fuel consumption rate and the lowest slippage percentage, while the land plane was the best in the field capacity rate and the lowest rate of energy requirements and the highest rate of the soil disturbed volume. To relate the changes in the soil disturbed volume (Sdv), fuel consumption (Fc), slip (S) and energy requirements (Er) with special equipment (SE), and harrow equipment (Ɛ), a regression analysis was carried out, and the predictive regression equation was obtained as in the following table: Predictive Regression equation R2 Fc = 0.001639 SE + 0.63 Ɛ + 29.1610 0.87 S = - 0.00591 SE + 0.31166 Ɛ + 8.664487 0.90

Effect of integrated reservoir tillage for in-situ rainwater harvesting and other tillage practices on soil physical properties

There is a need for in-situ soil moisture conservation in arid and semi-arid regions due to insufficient rainfall for agriculture. For this purpose, a combination implement [integrated reservoir tillage system (RT)] comprised of a single-row chisel plow, single-row spike tooth harrow, modified seeder, and spiked roller was developed and compared to the popular tillage practices, viz., minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT) in an arid Mediterranean environment in Egypt. The different tillage practices were conducted at tillage depths of 15, 20, and 25cm and forward speeds of 0.69, 1, 1.25, and 1.53m s−1. Some soil physical properties, runoff, soil loss, water harvesting efficiency and yield of wheat were evaluated. The different tillage practices caused significant differences in soil physical properties as the RT increased soil infiltration, producing a rate of 48% and 65% higher than that obtained in MT and CT, respectively. The lowest values of runoff and soil loss were recorded under RT as 4.91mm and 0.65tha−1, whereas the highest values were recorded under CT as 11.36mm and 1.66tha−1, respectively. In conclusion, the RT enhanced the infiltration rate, increased water harvesting efficiency, reduced runoff and achieved the highest yield of wheat. The best tillage operating parameters appeared to be at a tillage depth of 20cm and speed between 1.00 and 1.25ms−1.