Tillage Implements Research Articles

Experiments on the Influence of Corn Straw Morphological Combinations on Timely No-Tillage Sowing Soil Temperature and Moisture in Cold Regions

After corn mechanical harvest in autumn in the cold region of northeast China, straw mulching leads to high soil topsoil water content and slow ground temperature rise in the spring sowing season, which may result in a no-tillage planter being unable to operate in time, delayed sowing date, poor seedling emergence quality, and low grain yield. Based on the problems of high moisture content and low temperature in soil topsoil in the spring sowing season in conservation tillage with straw mulching, an experimental study on timely sowing in the spring sowing season was carried out from the perspective of combination optimization of attribute parameters of straw mechanical treatment. Taking the four mechanical treatment attributes as experimental factors, including straw length, straw shape, mulching form (surface covering, inter-ridge covering, and inter-ridge mixed soil covering), and stubble height after corn harvest in autumn of 2019 as experimental factors, and soil topsoil moisture content and temperature during spring sowing in 2020 as evaluation indexes, a field plot experiment was carried out by four factors and three levels of orthogonal combination test method. The results showed that all the factors had significant influence on soil topsoil moisture content and soil topsoil temperature (p < 0.05). It is helpful to reduce the moisture content of soil topsoil and increase the temperature of soil topsoil by increasing the length of corn stalk, breaking the stalk moderately, covering the stalk between ridges, and increasing the stubble height of stalk. Design-Expert software was used to optimize the parameters. The results showed that when the length of straw was 150 mm, the shape of straw was half-cut (dividing straw into two parts evenly along the axis), the mulch was between ridges, and the stubble height was 600 mm, the moisture content of soil topsoil was 22~24% and the temperature of soil topsoil was higher than 8 °C during spring sowing. After corn harvest in autumn of 2021, corn stalks were treated in that year according to the results of parameter optimization combination. The soil topsoil moisture content and temperature were measured to be 24.4% and 8.2 °C, respectively, in the spring sowing season of 2022, which proved that the optimization results in this experiment were credible. The experimental results provide a technical reference for the implementation of conservation tillage with straw surface mulching in the cold region of northeast China.

Modeling and optimization of energy requirements of disc plough operation on loamy-sand soil in South-East Nigeria using response surface methodology

Energy plays vital role in different in-field and post-harvest operations. It is the amount of fuel consumed during an operation. This research was conducted to model and optimize the energy requirements of disc plough on loamy-sand soil in South-East Nigeria using response surface methodology, to assist agriculturalists and operators of the plough to evaluate and probably decide on appropriate ploughing implement depending on the type of soil for their seed bed preparation for efficient production at negligible energy loss. The operational speed (5-9 kmh−1) and depth of cut (10-30 cm) were adopted as independent factors for the energy requirements study of the tillage implement. Results revealed that the highest fuel intake amount (energy requirement) of 31.25 lha−1 was recorded when the plough was operated at the depth of 30cm for the different speeds. The fuel consumption rate of the implement decreases by 49.98% when operating at cutting depth of 10 and 20cm irrespective of the working speed. The linear model equation was significant (P< 0.05) for the evaluation of energy requirements of the disc plough. The p-value of the model term was 0.0053 which entails that the model equation is significant. The linear model developed to predict the energy requirements of the plough with respect to the independent variables was expressed as Fcr = 3.61462 + 4.29641e−16Sp + 0.78100Dc. Where, Fcr is fuel intake rate, lha−1; Sp is operational speed, kmh−1 and Dc is cutting depth of the disc plough, cm. Results revealed that the coefficient of determination, R2 was 0.6500, which indicated good relationships among the variables, also an indication that the response (fuel intake rate) could describe 65% of the overall erraticism within the response. Result of simulation obtained revealed that the fuel consumption rate fall within the trial range. The predicted R2 (0.3129) was compatible with the adjusted R2 (0.5800) meaning that the investigational data fixed well. Finally, the optimum fuel consumption rate and the desirability of 20.51 lha−1 and 1.00 were respectively obtained at optimal operational speediness of 6.7 kmh−1 and ploughing depth of 18.56cm. In conclusion, cutting depth had greater influence on the energy requirement (fuel consumption rate) of the disc plough than the operational speed.

Paraplough and Mouldboard Plow Performance Evaluation for Seedbed Preparation and Supporting Conservation Tillage

Abstract The final yield of agricultural products depends on the effective factors during the growing season of plants, especially the size of soil aggregates and proper size distribution of aggregates. Therefore, it is very important to select appropriate tillage implement and to provide a suitable seedbed in terms of aggregate size with the least energy consumption. It is a new idea to use paraplough and winged-paraplough as tools for seedbed preparation. To measure and determine the factors affecting the mean weight diameter (MWD) of aggregates and percentage of crop residues on the soil surface, a series of field trials were performed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications. The trials were conducted at three forward speeds of 2, 5 and 7 km·h−1 and three operating depths of 0–10; 0–20; 0–30 cm using the mouldboard plough and the paraplough with different wing configurations (without wings, with forward wings, with backward wings). The main impacts of implemented type, forward speed and operating depth and their mutual binary effects were significant at P &lt;1% for both the MWD of aggregates and percentage of remaining residue. The highest MWD of aggregates was related to mouldboard plough (5.59 mm) and the lowest value was related to paraplough with backward wings (2.9 mm). It was found that the winged paraplough created a good pulverization in the soil and sustained a high percentage of crop residues on the soil surface. This issue can be very useful and important in the conservation tillage and the conservation of soil resources, especially in the water deficient areas where the soil is prone to erosion.

Evaluating Strip and No-Till Maintenance of Perennial Groundcovers for Annual Grain Production

Perennial groundcover (PGC) merges scalable soil and water conservation with high-yielding row crops, enhancing ecosystem services of annual grain crop production. However, ineffective groundcover suppression increases competition between the groundcover and row crop, reducing row crop grain yield. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of three Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) groundcover suppression methods each at narrow and wide widths on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and development in evenly spaced PGC, compared to alternating PGC swards and a no-PGC conventional tillage control. Suppression methods for evenly spaced PGC included two different strip tillage implements, completing either shallow or deep soil fracture, for mechanical suppression and a banded sprayer for no-tillage chemical suppression. We measured weekly for maize plant height, phenological stage of development, reflected red:far-red (R:FR) ratio, early vegetative and final plant density, grain and stover yield, yield components of kernel rows ear−1, kernels row−1, kernels ear−1, ear length, kernel weight, grass frequency, and weed community. In 2020, maize grain yield in the alternating PGC swards (11.38 Mg ha−1) was similar to the control (12.78 Mg ha−1) and greater than in the evenly spaced groundcover (9.62 Mg ha−1). Maize grain yield was similar for systems in 2021 (7.41 Mg ha−1), due to drought and high coefficient of variation. Weed community was similar for systems in both years. A maize competition response was observed for both suppression widths across methods. Groundcover dormancy may be needed in conjunction with effective chemical and/or mechanical groundcover suppression to support maize production in PGC.

A Cooperative-Dominated Model of Conservation Tillage to Mitigate Soil Degradation on Cultivated Land and Its Effectiveness Evaluation

Sustainable agricultural production systems are important for ensuring food security. However, they are severely threatened by soil degradation and carbon emissions resulting from traditional farming practices. A cooperative-dominated conservation tillage model attempts to mitigate these issues, yet it is not clear how this model has been implemented and how well it performs in practice. This study takes Lishu County in Jilin Province in Northeast China as a case study to explore the implementation of a cooperative-dominated conservation tillage (CDCT) model and its practical effectiveness. In contrast to the traditional production model, this model uses cooperatives as the direct managers of cultivated land and promotes the construction of new production units and large-scale and mechanized operations to standardize the application of conservation tillage technology in agricultural production. Scientific research institutes, governments, and enterprises are supporters of cooperatives, empowering them in terms of technology, capital, products, and services. The evaluation results show that, unlike the traditional production model, which caused a decrease in the soil organic carbon content, the organic carbon content of the topsoil of cultivated land under this model increased by an average of 6.17% after 9 years of conservation tillage application. Furthermore, the soil structural stability index of the cultivated land increased from 3.35% to 3.69%, indicating that the degree of soil structural degradation was alleviated to a certain extent. The CDCT model effectively enhanced the operational efficiency and fertilizer use efficiency, and the carbon footprint of maize production was also reduced by 15.65% compared to the traditional production model. In addition, the total production cost was reduced by 1449 CNY/ha and profit increased by 2599 CNY/ha on average, indicating higher economic returns under the CDCT model due to increased yields and lower input costs. Farmers who are freed from agricultural production activities by transferring their farmland can also gain two types of income—land revenue and labor wagesi—thus mproving their living conditions. The CDCT model can deliver multigoal benefits and be of great value in its extension to other regions. This study may provide lessons for the sustainable use of cultivated land in China and other developing countries, contributing to agricultural development with lower environmental costs.

Durability increasing by developing a conceptual model for the chisel tool working bodies rational structuring

There are three main zones with different functional purposes in any tillage machines working bodies design. The technological process being performed determines the functionality of these zones. The first zone is the working area of the nose part, its main task is to destroy the processed material and to apply the main working body into its layers. The second zone is the transition zone, it is an intermediate part of the working body that connects the working area of the working body and the zone responsible for attaching the working body to the tine of the tillage implement. The third zone is the area of the working body attachment. Depending on the functional purpose, the zones of the working organs perceive different external loads. The paper proposes a stepwise hardening technology, which made it possible to carry out the entire complex of technological operations from one volumetric workpiece heating, which allows to reduce the labor intensity of multi-stage heat treatment and the cost of the working body manufacturing. Technologically, it is as follows, the working bodies’ workpieces are placed in fixing frames with special holes, where their wedge-shaped part is recessed. Analysis and experimental verification showed that the heat reserve accumulated in the main part of the working body when heated in the furnace is sufficient for the bainite transformation to occur during intermittently cyclic cooling of the chisel cutting part.

Effect of tillage implement (spring tine cultivator, disc harrow), soil texture, forward speed and tillage depth on fuel consumption and tillage quality

Over the years, tillage became less intense due to environmental safety requirements in order to minimize fuel and labour time. Mostly, this is achieved by reducing the depth of tillage. However, highly cut winter rape stubble is the main challenge for reduced tillage to prepare clear soil, especially as the summer droughts intensify. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal tillage performances of the spring tine cultivator and compact disc harrow and establish the fuel consumption required to achieve the preferred level of soil structure formation and residue incorporation on loam and clay loam soil after a rape harvest. The fuel consumption depends on the desired level of soil tillage intensity, implement type, tillage depth (5 and 8 cm), and forward speed (1.4, 1.9, 2.5, 3.1, and 3.6 m∙s-1). The tractor “CASE IH 135” was instrumented with an additional data acquisition system and was used to perform the indicators of stubble tillage. The research examines the dependence of the tractor-implement regime mode on the soil aggregate ratio, which varied from 0.10 to 0.21, and the residue interblending ratio, which varied from 0.60 to 0.96. The relationship was established by obtaining the tillage quality level and reduced fuel consumption, which varied from 3.4 to 5.9 L·ha-1, depending on soil type. Minimization of fuel consumption and sufficient quality of oilseed rape stubble cultivation was achieved by reducing the depth but not the speed of tillage.

Response of selected physical properties of Fluvisols to tillage implements and frequencies at Haramaya, Eastern Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage implements and frequencies on selected physical properties of Fluvisols at Haramaya University, Eastern Ethiopia, during the 2013 cropping season. Soil bulk and particle density, total porosity, texture, and soil water retention were analyzed immediately (within 72 hours) and one month after tillage for samples collected from 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with treatment combinations consisting of three levels of tillage frequencies (0, 2 and 4) and two tillage implements, oxen-drawn traditional Maresha and disc plows, with three replications. Results indicated that the mean bulk density values were significantly different (P &lt; 0.05) at plow layers (0-20 cm). It ranged from 1.68 g cm-3 for disc plows at two passes to 1.72 g cm-3 for zero tillage and disc plows at four passes one month after tillage at a depth of 21-40 cm. Tillage with a disc plow at increased frequencies decreased total porosity, while oxen-drawn Maresha increased total porosity. Insignificant differences (P &lt; 0.05) in mean values of particle size distribution were observed except for percent clay content immediately after tillage with disc plows at two passes, which showed significant highest mean value (26.30%). Tillage by traditional Maresha resulted in more water holding capacity at increased tillage frequencies. Tillage practice using disc plows at two passes significantly affected the bulk density, total porosity, and soil water retention characteristics. In conclusion, tillage implements and frequencies have shown a negative effect on the physical properties of Fluvisols by disrupting the structure of the soil at surface and subsurface depths, resulting in varying levels of impact on soil bulk density, total porosity, and soil water retention characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended to use the tillage implements at reduced frequencies for less disruption of soil properties while performing soil tilth for agricultural production.

Requirements and Indicators of the Energy and Capacity for Some Secondary Equipment to Prepare the Soil and Fragmentation Index of Soil

A survey was carried out in the field of the Faculty of Agriculture, Basra University. The mechanical field try was done by isolating the field’s property as indicated by the Randomized Completely Block Design (R.C.B.D) included two factors, the first factor uses two primary tillage implements was mounted moldboard plough and digger plough, and second factor was four kinds of auxiliary culturing implements: Disk harrows, Axe harrows, spring cultivator and Rotary plough. The research was conducted in silty loam soil to investigate the influence of fuel consumption, traction force, field efficiency and the soil Fragmentation index. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of trowel type on the performance indicators of mechanical units to adapt them to the soils studied. The use of agricultural machinery contributed significantly to reducing the time, costs, effort and wages of workers in the field. The most prominent of these processes are the primary and secondary preparation of the soil and the mixing of manure residues with the surface layer of the soil. In this research, the superiority of the rotary plow over the rest of the machines was observed by recording the lowest pulling force and the lowest fuel consumption rate that it needs while moving and it was 1.60 kN and 14.42 L. ha-1 respectively, in addition to that giving it the best field efficiency and the best fragmentation degree and it was 68.66%, 6.5 mm respectively.

The Influence of Some Secondary Tillage Implement and Mixing Organic Residues on Some Physical Properties of Soil at the Beginning and End of the Oat (Triticum aestivum L.) Growing Season

The study was conducted in one of the fields affiliated to the Agricultural Research Station at the University of Basra, Karmat Ali site. The agricultural field experiment was carried out by dividing the field land according to the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a one-time split plots design, where the main plots represent smoothing machines and sub-plots, the levels of organic residues and three replicators. The soil was plowed with a moldboard plow at a depth of 25-30 cm, and the organic residues were mixed with the soil by use of secondary tillage equipment. While the area of the experimental unit was (150 * 250) cm2, a distance of 2m was left between the experimental sectors and units to ensure that there was no overlap between the treatments. Seeds of oats were planted for all experimental units after the implementation of the treatments and at a seeding rate according to the recommendation followed in the region. Soil characteristics are measured for depths (0-15, 15-30) cm and for two periods (beginning and end of the plant growing season), and plant growth and yield indicators are measured at the end of the growing season. The aim of the research is to study the effect of adding levels of manure residues mixed with the surface layer in different ways on soil characteristics at the beginning and end of the oat crop growing season. The results of the experiment indicate the superiority of the spring cultivator and the percentage of adding organic residues (40 tons. Ha-1) over the rest of the machines and fertilization treatments by achieving the lowest apparent density at the beginning and end of the oats growing season, which amounted to 0.992 and 1.113 Mg m-3, respectively. In addition, they have achieved the highest the percentage of total porosity was 62.56 and 57.97 %, respectively. It also gave the highest weighted average diameter, which reached 0.859 and 0.688 mm, respectively. In addition, it gave the lowest soil penetration resistance, which reached 0.887 and 1.130 MPa, respectively.

Continuous no-till decreased soil nitrous oxide emissions during corn years after 48 and 50 years in a poorly-drained Alfisol

The soil quality benefits from switching from chisel-disk (CD) operations to continuous no-till (NT) in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) rotations have been proven over time; but to mitigate climate change, effects of continuous NT on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions must be evaluated. The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of contrasting tillage practices (CD vs. NT) on soil N2O emissions, soil nitrogen (N) dynamics, corn grain yields, N removals and partial N balances, soil volumetric water content (VWC) and soil temperature following 48 and 50 years of tillage implementation in a long-term corn-soybean rotation experiment in a poorly-drained Alfisol. A four-time replicated randomized complete block design was conducted with tillage treatments [CD (grower's current practice) and NT] as main plots and fertility [a no-fertilizer control (CTR) and fertilizing corn N, P, and K (NPK)] as subplots. Corn grain yield, N removal, and partial N balances were greater in CD than NT in 2018 but not in 2020. Soil N2O-N was similar among tillage treatments in 2018 (3.2 kg N2O-N ha−1) but higher in CD (8.5 kg N2O-N ha−1) than in NT (6.2 kg N2O-N ha−1) in 2020. The CD treatment had higher two-yr cumulative N2O-N emissions (11.9 kg N2O-N ha−1) than NT (9.1 kg N2O-N ha−1), indicating that NT has a potential for reducing N2O-N in poorly-drained Alfisols. Grain yield-scaled N2O-N was lower in NT than CD in 2020 but not in 2018. Soil N2O emissions were positively associated with soil NO3-N, partial N balances, and corn grain yield and negatively associated with soil bulk density and temperature. We concluded that after 48 and 50 years, continuous NT can maintain corn grain yield and mitigate N2O-N emissions indicating to mitigate climate change and increase multi-sphere benefits, continuous NT practices should be implemented.

The Effect of Tillage, Organic Matter and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Efficiency and Productivity Use of Nutrients in Maize

ABSTRACT In order to evaluate the importance of tillage and fertilizer, the present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of tillage, organic matter and mycorrhizal fungi on the efficiency and productivity of maize nutrients. The experiment was performed as a split plot based on randomized complete block design with 4 replications in the summer of 2017–2018 in Ivan city, Ilam province, Iran. This experiment had three factors including tillage at 3 levels (no tillage, tillage to depth of 10 cm as minimum tillage and deep tillage to depth of 30 cm as conventional tillage), organic matter at 3 levels (no application, vermi-compost at 30 t ha−1 hectare and cattle manure at 30 t ha−1 and mycorrhizal fungus of the genus Glomus mosseae in soil (use and nonuse). The results showed that in the minimum tillage system and cattle manure application, the highest seed yield was 8198.5 kg ha−1. In the treatments of minimum tillage and with use and nonuse of mycorrhiza, the highest seed yield. According to the results obtained in this study, it was found that the implementation of tillage, compared to the system without tillage, had more beneficial effects on increasing yield and yield components and nutrient productivity, which in some cases even increased from tillage. Compact and compost consumption were also higher. Therefore, it can be said that the implementation of tillage is at least able to improve the absorption of high consumption elements, which increases the productivity of these elements.

Development of Electro-Hydraulic Hitch Control System through Lower Link Draft Sensing of a Tractor

Three-point linkage plays an important role in controlling tillage implements with the hydraulic system of the tractor which includes draft control too. With increase in the usage of electronics and instrumentation in agriculture, the need was to upgrade the present mechanical hydraulic system of the tractor with electrohydraulic hitch control system (EHH) for better performance. The selection of draft sensing media was at the lower links for better sensitivity. The EHH control system through lower link draft sensing was developed using draft sensors, a control panel for user input and a controller with usage of MATLAB Simulink as an application software. Developed system was tested infield using duck foot cultivator and instrumentation like angle sensor, data acquisition and data logger were used for data capturing. The test results showed that for a change in set draft of 1500N, the system response time and change in depth of operation were 1.3s and 5 cm respectively. Whereas, for change in set draft of 500N the system response time was 0.9 s and change in depth of operation was 4 cm. For the conducted test, the variation in depth of operation was limiting to ±3.1 cm. The results concluded a direct relationship of change in set draft with system response time and change in operating depth. This study provides an overview of developing an EHH system through lower link draft sensing, as well as details of system architecture, control algorithm, MATLAB Simulink code, components used and the methodology and instrumentation technique for testing the same.

A Mathematical Model for Determining the Specific Structural Weight of a Tillage Implement

The authors have shown that the tillage specific constructive weight affects the working width and penetration ability. In order to increase the working width of the tillage implement, and therefore its performance and economic efficiency as well as its penetration ability, it is preferable to minimize the value of this indicator. It is taken into account that the implement specific structural weight will depend on the actual number of working tools and frame elements per unit of the working width. (Research purpose) The aim of the work is to develop a mathematical model to determine the minimum allowable and actual specific structural weight depending on the tillage implement operating conditions and its structural design and technological scheme. (Materials and methods) The research methodology is based on mathematical modeling, abstraction, analysis, synthesis, and principles of classical mechanics. (Results and discussion) The proposed mathematical model for determining the minimum allowable and actual specific structural weight was developed. The model takes into account the physical and mechanical characteristics of the cultivated soil, the number of working bodies and frame elements per unit of the tillage implement working width. It was found out that an increase in the working width makes it possible to reduce the implement actual specific structural weight, all other things being equal. It was proposed to use the mathematical model for designing tillage tools, carrying out force calculations and comparative assessment of metal consumption, depending on the installation and location of working bodies with different working widths. (Conclusions) It was found out that with the soil ultimate compressive strength of 100,000 pascal, the implement minimum allowable structural weight should be 334 kilograms per meter to ensure the tillage tool penetration to a given depth. Under the considered conditions, the implement actual specific structural weight will have a minimum value at the working width of 0.7 and 0.8 meters – 375 kilograms per meter and 335 kilograms per meter, respectively.

Soil Water Capacity, Pore Size Distribution, and CO2 Emission in Different Soil Tillage Systems and Straw Retention.

The long-term implementation of crop rotation and tillage has an impact on the soil environment through inputs and soil disturbance, which in turn has an impact on soil quality. Tillage has a long-term impact on the agroecosystems. Since 1999, a long-term field experiment has been carried out at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University. The aim of this experiment is to investigate the effects of long-term various-intensity tillage and straw retention systems on soil physical properties. The results were obtained in 2013 and 2019 (spring rape was growing). According to the latest edition of the International Soil Classification System, the soil in the experimental field was classified as Endocalcaric Stagnosol (Aric, Drainic, Ruptic, and Amphisiltic). The treatments were arranged using a split-plot design. In a two-factor field experiment, the straw was removed from one part of the experimental field, and the entire straw yield was chopped and spread at harvest in the other part of the field (Factor A). There were three different tillage systems as a subplot (conventional deep ploughing, cover cropping with following shallow termination, and no-tillage) (Factor B). There were four replications. The long-term application of reduced tillage significantly increased soil water retention and improved the pore structure and CO2 emissions. Irrespective of the incorporation of straw, it was found that as the amount of water available to plants increases, CO2 emissions from the soil increase to some extent and then start to decrease. Simplified tillage and no-tillage in uncultivated soil reduce CO2 emissions by increasing the amount of water available to plants from 0.151 to 0.233 m3·m−3.

THE SHORT TERM EFFECT OF TILLAGE SYSTEM ON SOIL MOISTURE RETENTION IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

The objective of the study was to determine the short time effect of tillage system on the water retention capacity of soils in the Niger Delta University Teaching and Research Farm, Bayelsa State. Five treatments (No-till, Digging, Hoeing, Hoeing+Digging once, and Hoeing+Digging twice) were considered. Plant Available Water Content (PAWC) and the Soil Water Holding Capacity (SWHC) were used to determine the soil water retention capacity. The results revealed that the crude tillage methods had a significant (P&lt;0.05) impact on some soil properties. The highest bulk density (1.18g/cm3) was found in the No-till zone, while the lowest (0.89g/cm3) was in the Hoe+Digging twice method. The tillage methods also affected the hydraulic conductivity as the highest value (4.67cm/hr) was found in the hoe+digging zone and the lowest (2.61cm/hr) in the no-till area. Furthermore, the PAWC and SWHC were highest (0.14cm3cm-3 and 2.03cm) at the No-till zone and lowest (0.06 cm3cm-3 and 0.95cm) at the Hoe+Digging twice zone. It is therefore recommended that, for unrestricted flow of water through the soils, compacted soils should be pulverized using tillage implements. Also, for optimal plant water availability, there should be less tillage on coarse-textured soils, as the disturbance promotes rapid leaching.

Substantiation of the Radius of Curvature of the Chisel Plow Point of the Working Bodies of Tillage Implements

Abstract Chisel plows with a chisel as a working body, loosen the soil without mixing the layers. The analysis of the conducted research concludes that the most widespread is a cylindrical surface of a chisel working body - a chisel with a constant radius of curvature. It is theoretically established that at the radius of curvature of the bit up to 0.1 m, the soil on the surface of the bit will move chaotically, while the curvature of the bit does not affect the percentage of wrapped plant debris. As the radius of curvature increases, the force of inertia decreases, therefore, the angle of soil rise decreases. For the radius of curvature of the bit bigger than 0.5 m, the force of inertia has almost no effect on the angle of the soil rise. Without the influence of the force of inertia, the soil particles begin to move more orderly, the soil and plant debris begin to move along trajectories corresponding to the shape of the bit, which increases the coefficient of wrapping plant debris. It is established that at the radius of curvature of the bit 0.5 m and at an operating speed of 2 m·s−1 there is an orderly movement of soil on the surface of the bit, which affects the percentage of wrapping of plant remains. The use of a chisel plow point with a cylindrical surface increases the wrapping of plant remains by an average of 17%.

Effect of moldboard plow share age and tillage depth on slippage and fuel consumption of Tractor (MF399) in Varamin region

The abrasion of tillage implements, such as moldboard plows that consume more energy than others, dramatically affects tillage quality and compacts soil, reduces tillage depth, increases fuel consumption, wears out engine components, and reduces traction efficiency. Therefore, the effect of tillage depth (10, 20, and 30 cm) and share age (in hectares of operation in 20 two-hectare plots for each depth) on the MF399 tractor's fuel consumption and drive wheel slippage was evaluated. The split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design was used for data analysis, and Duncan's multiple range test conducted the mean comparison at α = 1%. The results show that tillage depth and share age significantly affected tractor fuel consumption and drive wheel slippage. Maximum (68.67 lit/ha) and minimum (44.73 lit/ha) average fuel consumption and maximum (21.32%) and minimum (11.84%) average drive wheel slippage percentages were measured in 30 and 10 cm tillage depths. Moreover, increasing tillage depth from 10 to 20 cm and from 10 to 30 cm respectively increased fuel consumption by 18.90 and 53.52% and increased slippage from 32.68% and 80.06%. Meanwhile, slippage exceeded 15% after respectively 30, 20, and 12 hectares of tillage in 10, 20, and 30 cm depths, and fuel consumption significantly increased after 14, 12, and 10 hectares relative to using new shares.

Vibration parameters and indicators of a dynamic tillage tool

According to domestic and foreign research on the efficiency of active and passive vibrating tillage tools, the created vibration allows reducing the traction resistance of tillage implements compared to conventional tools, while improving the tillage quality. The study aimed to determine several vibration parameters and indicators of a dynamic tillage tool supplied with an energy storing and transmitting device: frequency and amplitude of oscillations, absolute velocity, vibration velocity, acceleration of vibration, a force of inertia, and oscillation energy. The study applied the energy assessment methods of tillage tools with the measuring and information system designed at IEEP – branch of FSAC VIM; analysis and generalisation of experimental data. Vibration variables were determined by the strain-gauge method. The study revealed a significant effect of oscillation frequency and amplitude of the tillage tool, depending on the machine travel speed and characteristics of elastic elements, on its vibration velocity and acceleration, the force of inertia and the energy of oscillations.The total increase in these forces owing to a high-frequency dynamic impact may affect the soil layer considerably as an additional loosening. The accumulated impact energy can provide a decrease in the traction resistance of the tillage tool.

Evaluation and Analysis of Tractor Driver’s Seat Vibrations without Implements and with Implements during Tillage Process

In day to day operations tractor has to move with tillage implements and without tillage implements. In this work emphasis has been given to compare the effect of vibrations on driver’s seat of tractor while working with implements during tillage and while working without implements. The experiment was conducted in the fields of Punjab (India). During the experiment, first time the tractor was made to move without implements and second time tractor was moving with chisel plough (tillage implement). Both times real time vibration data of driver’s seat was collected with three-axis accelerometer and it was observed that when tractor was moving without implements the vibration amplitude was highest in vertical direction Z as compared to transverse direction Y and horizontal direction X. But when the tractor was moving in the fields with tillage implement (chisel plough) the vibration amplitude was high in transverse direction Y relative to horizontal direction X and vertical direction Z.