Analyzing the efforts in furrow openers used in low power planters

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The furrow openers for no-till system should be easy to penetrate the soil, generate low levels of soil mobilization and require a little traction force. Thus, the aim of this research was to compare six hoe-type furrow openers, four of industrial manufacturing and two handcrafted models, which were used in planters in the region of Pelotas, Brazil. The parameters for comparison among these furrow openers were the horizontal (F h ) and vertical (F v ) forces acting on the tip of the hoe and the cross-sectional area mobilized in the furrow. The experimental design was randomized, with six treatments (furrow openers) from T1 to T6, with four repetitions, constituted by their passage through plots of 20 x 3 m. The force data were collected by load cells and a signal conditioner. The determination of the mobilized area in the furrow was done by a micro soil profilometer. It was concluded that the furrow openers T1, T4 and T6 presented the lowest values of horizontal force (statistically equal and ranging between 1,034 and 1,230 N) and that T1 and T2 produced the highest vertical forces downwards (statistically identical and varying between 749 and 845 N). The furrow openers T1, T2, T4, T5 and T6 generated soil mobilization statistically equal and between 0.006993 and 0.008933 m 2 .

Specific demands to the traction of cutting discs and furrow openers for the no-tillage system

“…In addition, for presenting a variation coefficient of 11.60 and 15.63%, the experimental error magnitude can be evaluated as low, providing a high experimental accuracy to the trials, especially due to Fe and Reo being the result of a ratio between two independent variables, which could impair the experiment precision. Troger et al (2012), when analyzing specifically the tractive forces in hoe openers, also in the field, obtained an average variation coefficient of 12.43%, and Germino & Benez (2006) obtained 10.16% evaluating the interaction between hoe furrow openers and cutting discs in the traction demand.…”

Correlation of Soil Physical Attributes With Furrowing Shank Strength and Depth in a No-Till Seeder

“…Spring compression makes the furrowing shank strength against the soil increase, increasing its horizontal force (Mehrabi et al, 2019). Elevation in soil bulk density, which also increases the force applied to the shank, increases tensile demand, which occurs when compaction increases (Conte et al, 2008;Cepik et al, 2010;Sun et al, 2006;Troger et al, 2012).…”

“…One parameter affected by changes in soil physical properties is the horizontal strength of furrowing shanks in a no-till system (Conte et al, 2008;Cepik et al, 2010;Troger et al, 2012). Furrowing shanks in fertilizer seeders have the role of opening furrows and depositing fertilizers at a depth of 0.1 to 0.17 m (Nunes et al;.…”

“…Within this layer, there are the highest soil compaction levels in a notill system (Silva et al, 2012;Sales et al, 2016). Measurements of furrowing shank horizontal strength must be considered as this parameter is influenced by soil depth, moisture content, and shank-to-soil attack angle (Troger et al, 2012). Horizontal strength of furrowing shanks has been commonly measured by installing strain gauges in places where large elastic deformations occur (Conte et al, 2008;Cepik et al, 2010).…”