Comparison of tillage forces and wear rates of pressed and cast cultivator shares

The draft force, vertical up force and wear rate of 5-mm-thick pressed steel shares were compared with those of 10-mm-thick cast steel shares. The tests were conducted using a range of soil types and moisture contents over several years. Because they were made of a harder material, the cast shares lost mass at 0.48 of the rate of the pressed shares, irrespective of the soil type or condition. However, the cast shares, because they were made from thicker material, had a blunter cutting edge which in moist soil conditions increased the draft and vertical up forces.

The results showed the wear rate (based on distance) to be independent of the speed of tillage but the soil type and condition had a large effect on the wear rates and tillage forces.