Tillage Blade Research Articles

Imitating pangolin scale structure for reducing adhesion and resistance of rotary tillage in wet-adhesive soil

The bionic design of soil-engaging components has recently received much attention in conservation tillage and is extremely important for reducing tillage resistance and increasing implement passability in wet-adhesive rice paddy soil. In this paper, to reduce adhesion and resistance of rotary tillage in wet-adhesive soil, a novel imitating pangolin scale structure is first proposed, and the bionic non-smooth surface parameters affecting the soil adhesion effect is clarified. Afterwards, based on the JKR attached Bonding contact model, an accurate discrete element interaction model of the designed rotary tillage blade -wet adhesive soil is established, and the effect of spindle speed, bump size and bump distance on the tillage resistance and soil disturbance is analyzed using the proposed model. Finally, the proposed imitating pangolin scale structure is optimized to improve the anti-adhesive and drag reduction properties using response surface method, furthermore, the corresponding model validation experiments and field tests are also conducted. Results reveal that the relative errors between the simulated and experimental values of the bionic blade rotary torque and soil adhesion mass are only respectively 4.4 % and 8.3 %. In addition, the optimal parameter combinations of anti-adhesion and drag reduction are also determined: the spindle speed is 180 rpm, the bump width is 10.6 mm and the bump distance is 17.9 mm, respectively, at the time, the effect of soil breaking of the designed blade is reduced by 9.95 % compared to that of the traditional blades but the effect of anti-adhesion and drag reduction is improved by 18.81 %.

Design and Parameter Optimization of a Dual-Disc Trenching Device for Ecological Tea Plantations

This paper addresses challenges in the application of existing colters in Chinese ecological tea plantations due to abundant straw roots and insufficient tillage depth. Aligned with the agronomic requirements of hilly eco-tea plantations, our study optimizes the structural advantages of the joint use of rotary tillage blades and double-disc colters to design an efficient trenching device. Our investigation explores the motion characteristics of a double-disc colter during deep trenching operations, in conjunction with rotary tillage blades. Employing discrete element method (DEM) simulations, this paper aims to minimize the working resistance and enhance the tillage depth stability. Single-factor experiments are conducted to determine the impact of key structural parameters on the tillage depth stability and working resistance. The optimal parameters are determined as a relative height of 80 mm to 120 mm, a 280 mm to 320 mm diameter for the double-disc colter, and a 10° to 14° angle between the two discs. The central composite design method is used to optimize the structural parameters of the double-disc colter. The results indicate that when the relative height is 82 mm, the diameter of the double-disc colter is 297 mm, and the angle between the two discs is 14°, the tillage depth stability performance reaches 91.64%. With a working resistance of merely 93.93 N, the trenching device achieves optimal operational performance under these conditions. Field validation testing shows a tillage depth stability coefficient of 92.37% and a working resistance of 104.2 N. These values deviate by 0.73% and 10.93%, respectively, from the simulation results, confirming the reliability of the simulation model. A field validation test further confirms that the operational performance of the colter aligns with the agronomic requirements of ecological tea plantations, offering valuable insights for research on trenching devices in such environments.

Analysis of Cyperus esculentus–Soil Dynamic Behavior during Rotary Tillage Based on Discrete Element Method

Considering the problems of low soil fragmentation rates, high working resistance, and high energy consumption in the harvesting process of Cyperus esculentus in China, a method of Cyperus esculentus harvesting based on counter-rotation digging is proposed. The mechanism of interaction between the rotary tillage blade and Cyperus esculentus–soil is systematically investigated, and the vertical and horizontal disturbance performance of the positive and counter-rotating harvesting methods on soil and Cyperus esculentus is compared and analyzed. The results of the experiment showed that the intensity of soil and Cyperus esculentus disturbance by counter-rotation increased by 166.67% and 297.78%, respectively, and the effective disturbance time of soil and Cyperus esculentus increased by 133.33% compared to that of positive rotation. The working depth and rotation speed of the rotary tillage blade were the most significant for soil and Cyperus esculentus disturbance intensity. The working depth increased from 150 mm to 170 mm, and the soil disturbance intensity increased by 17.91% and 21.37% for positive and counter-rotating operation, respectively, and the rotation speed of the rotary tillage blade increased from 270 rpm to 330 rpm, and the soil disturbance intensity increased by 28.85% and 35.29%, respectively. Compared with the positive rotation operation, the Cyperus esculentus counter-rotation soil fragmentation rate increased by 4.09%, the Cyperus esculentus damage rate decreased by 10.69%, and the buried fruit rate decreased by 7.38%. This paper helps to understand the interaction mechanism between the rototiller and Cyperus esculentus–soil and lays a theoretical foundation for the subsequent design and optimization of the Cyperus esculentus digging device.

Simulation Analysis and Experiments for Blade-Soil-Straw Interaction under Deep Ploughing Based on the Discrete Element Method

The desirable sowing period for winter wheat is very short in the rice-wheat rotation areas. There are also lots of straw left in harvested land. Deep rotary tillage can cover rice straw under the surface to increase soil organic matter. Clarifying the effect of the rotary tillage blade on the soil and straw, as well as analyzing the movement patterns and forces on the straw and soil, are essential to investigate the deep rotary tillage process in order to solve the problems of energy consumption and poor straw burial effect of deep tillage and deep burial machinery. In this study, we built the interaction model of rotary blade-soil-straw through the discrete element method to conduct simulation and identified the factors that affect the power consumption and operation quality of the rotary blade. The simulation process reflects the law of rotary blade-soil-straw interaction, and the accuracy of the simulation model has been verified by field trials. The simulation test results show that the optimized structural parameters of the rotary tillage blade were 210 mm, 45 mm, 37° and 115° (R, H, α and β) designed based on this theoretical model can cultivate to a depth of 200 mm. The operating parameters were 8π rad/s for rotational speed and 0. 56 m/s for forward speed, respectively; the simulated and field comparison tests were conducted under the optimal combination of parameters, and the power, soil breaking rate, and straw burial rate were 1.73 kW, 71.34%, and 18.89%, respectively; the numerical error rates of simulated and field test values were 6.36%, 5.42%, and 8.89%, respectively. The accuracy of the secondary model was verified. The simulation model had good accuracy at all factor levels. The model constructed in this study can provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the interaction mechanism between rotary tillage and soil straw, the optimization of machine geometry, and the selection of operating parameters.

Design and Test of Seedbed Preparation Machine before Transplanting of Rapeseed Combined Transplanter

In order to satisfy the soil preparation requirements of a rapeseed combined transplanter in the middle-lower Yangtze River region in China where rice–rapeseed rotation cropping system was performed, a seedbed preparation machine composed of a rotary tillage device, ditch cleaning shovel, and soil leveling auger was designed to realize the function of rotary tillage, stubble ploughing, ditching, and soil leveling. The seedbed preparation machine was designed as the two parts of the middle section and the left–right symmetrical section to realize the need for middle ditching. Based on the principle of active scraping and anti-blocking, the curves of the soil contact section, soil throwing section, and transition section of the ditch cleaning shovel were analyzed. The structure parameters of the soil leveling auger with end reversal structure were designed. In order to further improve the working performance of the seedbed preparation machine, the response surface tests were designed, selecting the forward speed(X1), the rotation speed of rotary tillage blade roller(X2), and the rotation speed of soil leveling auger(X3) as the main influencing factors, taking the soil breaking rate and the straw coverage rate and the soil flatness as the test indexes. The optimal parameter combination was obtained as a forward speed of 0.94 m/s, rotation speed of rotary blade roller of 268 rpm, and rotation speed of soil leveling auger of 204 rpm. Under the optimal parameters combination, the soil breaking rate, straw coverage rate, and soil flatness were 92.06%, 93.01%, and 8.35 mm respectively, which satisfied the agronomic requirements of rapeseed blanket seedling transplanting. This study can provide a reference for the design of a seedbed preparation machine of a rapeseed combined transplanter.

Design Modelling and Analysis of Rotavator Blades for Better Performance

The design and optimization of rotary tillage tool on the basis of simulation and finite element method is done by using ANSYS software. The different rotary tillage tool parts are geometrical constrained with preparation of solid model of blades and simulation has been done with actual field performance rating parameters along with boundary condition. The proposed work result are identifying sufficient tolerance in changing the material such a EN 8 steel and EN 24 steel. The dimensions of rotavator blade sections and to rise the life cycle of blades for a reliable strength. The present geometry working model with tillage blade is analyzed to new design. The changed constraints of its geometry for the maximum weed removal efficiency by presenting its analysis results from the field performance.

带状耕作对种床秸秆清除率和土壤扰动的仿真与试验

Strip-tillage is an effective option for proper seedbed preparation because it ensures the suitable conditions for seed germination and has been widely implemented. This study developed a strip-tillage of corn planter row cleaner using bionic vertical rotary blades to remove seedbed straw and ideal soil for no tillage sowing can be created. Through the qualitative analysis of the serrated arrangement contour of the praying mantis foreleg tip, the characteristic curve of the praying mantis foreleg tip was extracted and fitted, and the bionic geometric structure surface of the vertical rotary blade was constructed. The model and interaction system were established in EDEM 2.6 simulation environment, and their physical properties were calibrated with the real properties of lime concretion black soil and wheat straw. According to theoretical design to set simulation parameters, the radius of the cutter head was set to 120 mm, the driving speed of the cutter shaft was set to 500 r/min, and the depth of the cutting edge was set to 10 mm, the operating velocity of the active anti-blocking device was set to 5 km/h. The experiment results show that when the moving speed ratio is increased from 2.8 to 4.5, compared with the traditional vertical rotary blades, the straw removal rate and soil uniformity of seed bed are increased by 6.4% and 9.3%, and the average torque of the rotary tiller has been reduced by 12.3% respectively, the process effect and sowing quality being effectively improved. The study can provide theoretical reference for realization of no-tillage sowing vertical rotary tillage blade to reduce resistance and consumption and improve the quality.

Biomimetic Rotary Tillage Blade Design for Reduced Torque and Energy Requirement.

A rotary cultivator is a primary cultivating machine in many countries. However, it is always challenged by high operating torque and power requirement. To address this issue, biomimetic rotary tillage blades were designed in this study for reduced torque and energy requirement based on the geometric characteristics (GC) of five fore claws of mole rats, including the contour curves of the five claw tips (GC-1) and the structural characteristics of the multiclaw combination (GC-2). Herein, the optimal blade was selected by considering three factors: (1) the ratio (r) of claw width to lateral spacing, (2) the inclined angle (θ) of the multiclaw combination, and (3) the rotary speed (n) through the soil bin tests. The results showed that the order of influence of factors on torque was n, r, and θ; the optimal combination of factors with the minimal torque was r = 1.25, θ = 60°, and n = 240 rpm. Furthermore, the torque of the optimal blade (BB-1) was studied by comparing with a conventional (CB) and a reported optimal biomimetic blade (BB-2) in the soil bin at the rotary speed from 160 to 320 rpm. Results showed that BB-1 and BB-2 averagely reduced the torque by 13.99% and 3.74% compared with CB, respectively. The field experiment results also showed the excellent soil-cutting performance of BB-1 whose average torques were largely reduced by 17.00%, 16.88%, and 21.80% compared with CB at different rotary speeds, forward velocities, and tillage depths, respectively. It was found that the geometric structure of the five claws of mole rats could not only enhance the penetrating and sliding cutting performance of the cutting edge of BB-1 but also diminish the soil failure wedge for minimizing soil shear resistance of BB-1. Therefore, the GC of five fore claws of mole rats could inspire the development of efficient tillage or digging tools for reducing soil resistance and energy consumption.

Evaluation of the tribological and anti-adhesive properties of different materials coated rotary tillage blades

Coating is an effective method to enhance the surface properties of rotary tillage blades. In order to improve the wear resistance and anti-adhesive properties of rotary blades, four different materials TiAlN, CrN, PTFE and Ni-P-PTFE were selected to modified original blades. The mechanical properties, X-ray diffraction (XRD), wear performance, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), soil cutting resistance were tested and analyzed to investigate wear mechanism and evaluate the improvement of tribological and anti-adhesive properties of different coating methods. The 14 days field test was carried on to verify the experimental results. The results showed that metal coatings (TiAlN, CrN) had higher flexural strength and hardness than plastic coatings (PTFE based coatings). All coated blades possess better wear and anti-adhesive properties. PTFE based coating had better wear resistance, and Ni-P-PTFE coating had the lowest the average friction coefficient (0.32) and the lowest weight loss rate (0.4 g/ha) after 14 days operating in the field. And the Ni-P-PTFE coated blade also had the lowest soil cutting resistance. Combined with economic analysis, PTFE coating is more suitable and economically method to improve the wear resistance and anti-adhesive properties of rotary blades, and further extended their service life.

Modified strip tillage blades for two-wheel tractor seed drills improves maize crop establishment under conservation agriculture

Two-wheel tractors (2WTs) are widely used by resource-poor farmers to prepare land in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP). This paper demonstrates that improved tillage blade design can enhance maize crop establishment under strip tillage, which falls under the rubric of conservation agriculture (CA). In order to achieve this aim, it is necessary to identify appropriate blade design and rotational speed for power tiller operated seeders, or PTOS, which can be attached to 2WTs and that are increasingly popular in the EIGP. We conducted experiments over two years in two locations in the EIGP within Bangladesh with loam and clay loam soils, respectively. Four blades designed with varying tip angles and five levels of rotational speed were compared with commercially available C-shaped blades sold with 2WTs. Torque and power requirements for strip tillage decreased with decreasing blade tip angle and rotational speed. The best combination of blade design and rotational speed was found with a 15° blade tip angle at 320 RPM. This combination resulted in higher furrow cross sectional area, more soil backfill with appropriately sized soil aggregates, and better seeding depth than C-shaped and 45° tip angle blades. These characteristics also facilitated improved crop establishment on both soil types. Our results indicate that strip-till maize establishment can be improved in Bangladesh by substituting commercially-available C-shaped blades with a 15° blade tip angle at appropriate 320 RPM, though machinery operators will require educational efforts to learn how to fine-tune RPM to improve crop establishment and achieve more sustainable crop establishment systems.

Design and Evaluation of the Key Units in a Rapeseed Direct Seeder Integrated with Plowing-Rotating Combined Tillage

HighlightsThe seeder combined the plowing and rotating tillage to overcome the heavy soil and a large amount of straws.The plow could lift and turn the soil and straw before rotary tillage.The optimal working parameters of the seeder were obtained by orthogonal field experiments.Abstract. Rapeseed, one of the most important oil crops in China, is mainly planted in the mid-lower reaches of the Yangtze River. However, limited by the special long-term rice-rapeseed rotation, rotary tillage is applied in most of the planted areas apply instead of plow tillage, leading to a shallow arable layer. On the other hand, maintaining a high-quality seedbed for rapeseed becomes a challenge because a large amount of straw remains buried in the soil. As a solution, a rapeseed direct seeder that combines plow tillage and rotary tillage was designed. The structure of the plowing unit, whose key components were a lifting-turning plow and symmetrical plow, was analyzed based on the forming principle of the plow. Furthermore, a mechanical soil throwing model of the rotary tillage blade was built to determine the structural parameters. Then, the interaction between the rotary tillage unit and the lift-turning plow was analyzed. Finally, the performance and optimal parameters were evaluated by orthogonal field experiments. The seedbed after the operations indicated that the seeder could achieve the function of turning the soil and straw first and then rotating the soil with good passability, mixing the straw and the soil, flattening the surface of the seed bed, and stabilizing the tillage depth. Orthogonal experiments showed that the optimal working parameters of the seeder were as follows: the tillage depth was 180 mm, the equipment forward speed was 2.1 km/h, and the speed of the rotary tillage blade was 250 r/min. Under the optimal parameter combination, the power consumption of the seeder, the thickness of the tillage layer, the crop residue burial efficiency, the soil breakage efficiency, and the flatness of the seed bed surface were 30.48 kW, 231 mm, 90.88%, 93.26%, and 21.15 mm, respectively. The working performance of the seeder could meet the tillage requirements of rapeseed planting. Keywords: Direct seeder, Evaluation, Plow, Plowing-rotating combined tillage, Rapeseed.

The Improvement of the Rotary Tillers’ Blade Design and Analysis

As we know ,The shape of the rotary tiller blade ,Parameter and materials directly influences the Mechanical property of the rotary blade and then influence the rotary cultivator’s work efficiency And energy consumption[1] .Based on compared with china and foreign countries’ rotary tillage cutter Arrangement and analysis of advantages and disadvantages ,Slightly improved the structure of the Existing rotary tillage blade in the laboratory ,Analyzed the force of rotary tillage blade during the Working process ,Simulated the real working condition and make the load to the rotary blade then Analyzed the stress-strain from the rotary blade’s surface .Based on the collected data we can give Some advice to the designer like what we should focus on addition and consideration when we need To design rotary blade .Which provided the theoretical basis to the rotary blade structural Optimization in the future.

Effect of using subirrigation and slit tillage to increase soybean (Glycine max) yield in clayey soils in rice paddies converted to uplands

ABSTRACTWater stress reduces soybean (Glycine max) yield in fields converted from clayey-soil rice (Oryza sativa) paddies to uplands (upland converted paddies [UCPs]). Subirrigation and/or allowing roots to penetrate to a deeper soil layer were expected to effectively mitigate water stress. Therefore, we examined the effects of subirrigation and slit tillage on mitigating water stress in clayey soils (52% clay) in UCPs. Four treatment experiments (subirrigation, slit tillage, subirrigation control, and slit tillage control) were conducted in each of three growing seasons, with sampling for yield analysis conducted in triplicate. Following conventional tillage, a slit tillage blade was used to cut 15-mm-wide vertical slits in the surface of the soil (cutting depth = 15–20 cm) and seeds were sown 15 mm from the cut lines. Subirrigation then occurred for approximately 21–47 days, from the end of the rainy season, when water table elevation was at 35 cm below ground. We found that subirrigation only resulted in improved soybean yield in 2012, when precipitation after the flowering stage was low, whereas slit tillage significantly increased yield in all three growing seasons, including a particularly wet growing season. Overall, subirrigation and slit tillage increased soybean yield by 2% and 13%, respectively. Slit tillage also resulted in a significantly greater taproot length and root density. Stomatal conductance at midday in about the R5–6 stages was higher in slit-tilled plots than in control plots, but only in the subirrigated field.

Design Parameter Optimization for Tillage Blade of Crank–type Rotavators considering Strength and Weight

Design Parameter Optimization for Tillage Blade of Crank–type Rotavators considering Strength and Weight

Analysis of the Tillage and Power Consumption Characteristics of a Crank–type Rotavator according to the Tillage Blade Shape

Analysis of the Tillage and Power Consumption Characteristics of a Crank–type Rotavator according to the Tillage Blade Shape

Tillage Characteristics Estimation of Crank-type and Rotary-type Rotavators by Motion Analysis of Tillage Blades

This study has been conducted to investigate the applicability of motion analysis of tillage blade for estimation of tillage characteristics of crank-type and rotary-type rotavators. Methods: The interrelation between tillage traces from motion analysis and field test results including rotavating depth, pulverizing ratio and inversion ratio at the same work conditions were analyzed for both crank-type and rotary-type rotavators. The work conditions include working speed of prime mover tractor and PTO speed of rotavators. For the motion analysis, joint conditions of main connecting component were specified considering the actual working mechanism of rotavator. Results: There were important correlations for the trend between motion analysis and field test results. Conclusions: Although further study is needed for applying motion analysis to estimate the accurate tillage related parameters such as rotavating depth, the soil pulverizing ratio and inversion ratio, it could be used to compare the tillage characteristics of various rotavators quickly and simply.

Design Optimization in Rotary Tillage Tool System Components by Computer Aided EngineeringAnalysis

The design optimization of rotary tillage tool by the application of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)-Techniques on the basis of finite element method and simulation method is done by using CAD-Analysis software for the structural analysis. The different tillage tool parts of rotary tillage tools are geometrically constrained by the preparation of solid model, Meshing and Simulation is done with actual field performance rating parameters along with boundary conditions .The energy constrained for the tillage tool applications with 35Hp and 45Hp power tractor and estimated forces acting at soil-tool interface. The resultant effect on tillage blade and whole rotavator assembly is obtained from stress distribution and deformations plots.The proposed work results in identifying sufficient tolerance in changing the dimensions of rotavator frame sections and side gear box for removing the excess weight in a solid section and also to raise the weight of blade for a reliable strength. The present working model with tillage blade is analysed to new design constraints with change of its geometry for the maximum weed removal efficiency by presenting its practical results from the field performance.

Computer aided engineering analysis and design optimization of rotary tillage tool components

A bstract: The computer aided engineering analysis and design optimization of rotary tillage tool on the basis of finite element method and simulation method is done by using CAD-software for the structural analysis. The different tillage tool parts of rotary tillage tools are geometrically constructed as a solid model. The actual field performance rating parameters along with boundary conditions are set in the software for 35 hp and 45 hp tractor. The estimated forces acting on soil-tool interface are fed into software as a loading condition. The resultant effects of loading condition on tillage blade and whole rotavator assembly were obtained from stress distribution and deformations plots. The proposed working results in identifying sufficient tolerance in changing the dimensions of rotavator frame sections and side gear box for removing the excess weight in a solid section and also to raise the weight of blade for a reliable strength. The present working model with tillage blade is analysed to new design constraints with change of its geometry for the maximum weed removal efficiency by presenting its practical results from the field performance. Keywords: rotary tillage tool, simulation, FEM, design analysis, stress, deformation, rotavator DOI: 10.3965/j.issn.1934-6344.2011.03.001-006 Citation: Gopal U Shinde, Shyam R Kajale. Computer aided engineering analysis and design optimization of rotary tillage tool components. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2011; 4(3): 1

Abrasive Wear of Tillage Blade (II)

Abrasive Wear of Tillage Blade (II)

Soil-blade dynamics in reverse-rotational rotary tillage

Soil cutting and the clod crack formation process during reverse-rotational rotary tillage in a heavy clay soil were investigated. Of particular interest was the relationship between clod crack formation and tillage resistance during sequential rotations of the tillage blade. Investigation of the crack formation process is helpful to develop and to design more effective and high performance tillage methods. This paper describes two new discoveries. The first is that the tillage resistance showed a higher cross-correlation between sequential rotations within a certain distance of tilling, while there was little or no cross-correlation between different tillage plots that were separated more than 0.4 m. The forward distance of untilled soil that was disturbed by the tillage blade was estimated to be 36.4 mm. This is the distance of two tillage pitches. The second discovery involved the blade frequencies during tilling. Fluctuation in tillage resistance frequencies of a single blade was nearly equal to the predicted occurrence of crack intervals on the tilled clod's surface. This frequency was 120 Hz. When these frequencies were translated into the distance along the trochoid trajectory of the blade cutting edge, they were the same as the length of the clods tilled by the reverse-rotational rotary tiller. These minute vibrations in the tillage resistance were considered the important indexes for recognizing the tilled soil conditions and the tilled clod failure on the reverse-rotational rotary tiller. The analytical results of this paper will be utilized for the active occurrence of the cracks regarding with natural frequency of the blade and the operation condition of the reverse-rotational rotary tiller.