| Abstract: | Very little research has been done to investigate soil loosening as a function of the geometry of the tillage tool and of the original soil properties and moisture content. A field experiment was conducted to observe the effects of the geometric parameters of flat tillage tools on their draft, cutting efficiency and loosening of a moist clay soil. The test tool variables included rake angles to the horizontal of 30, 60 and 90°, widths of 75 and 150 mm and depths of operation of 100, 150 and 200 mm. Measurements were taken of draft, disturbed soil cross sectional profiles and the initial area of soil disturbed by the tools. The resulting draft requirement increased with width, depth and rake angle of the tool. The cross sectional area of soil disturbed did not change appreciably with rake angle, but the significant increase in draft with angle resulted in markedly diminished soil cutting efficiency (area divided by draft). The degree of soil loosening was generally smaller at a rake angle of 60° than at 30 or 90°, and tended to be higher at greater depths of operation. In addition, a larger depth to width ratio generally increased the degree of loosening. Results for the soil studied indicate that the best implement design for low draft, high cutting efficiency and superior soil loosening should have a rake angle of about 30° and should be fairly narrow with a depth to width ratio of 2 or more. |
