Field evaluation of a vibrating dual bent-share cultivator

Abstract

In this research, the suitability of a vibrating dual bent-share cultivator was studied. Therefore, an eccentric pin-slider mechanism was designed to vibrate the two shanks laterally, using a tractor power take-off. The present study investigates the field performance of the vibrating dual bent-share cultivator with three different vibration frequencies (0, 0.88, and 2 Hz) in a clay loam soil at two working depths (100 and 200 mm) and having a water content of a 0.7 or 0.9 plastic limit. The lowest values of the draught, specific draught, and MWD were recorded at a vibration frequency of 2 Hz and a working depth of 100 mm. The draught force, specific draught, and MWD of the non-vibration implement were reduced by using a vibration frequency of 2 Hz. The coefficient of determination and F-values proved that the vibration frequency was more effective than the soil water content and the working depth on the draught, specific draught, and MWD. Although a dual bent-share cultivator needs low energy compared with a mould-board plough, the vibration of the dual bent-share cultivator may be recommended as an efficient energy-demanding implement in the soil manipulation process.

Field evaluation of a bent leg tillage implement in dry soil conditions

“…Increasing the tillage depth from 10 to 20 cm increased the MWD by 24.9%. Other studies have also shown that the MWD value increased with an increasing tillage depth (Yassen et al 1992;Solhjou et al 2001;Esehaghbeygi et al 2020). Increasing the tillage depth increased the MWD value due to the higher compaction in the deeper soil layers.…”

“…The draught force of the bent leg tillage implement at an operating depth of 20 cm increased by 35.1% compared to the draught force at an operating depth of 10 cm. Other studies have shown that the draught force increased with an increasing tillage depth (Godwin and O'Dogherty 2007;Naderloo et al 2009;Moeenifar et al 2014;Esehaghbeygi et al 2020). Increasing the operating depth increased the draught force, which was due to increasing the soil compaction at deeper soil layer and, as a result, the friction force between the soil and blade increases.…”

“…The measurements were taken in two stages, firstly, when the bent leg tillage implement was engaged in the soil and, sec- ondly, when the implement was raised by the hydraulic lift of the tractor. The net difference between the two measurements was the draught force needed to pull the bent leg tillage implement in the soil (Raoufat and Firouzi 1998;Esehaghbeygi et al 2020).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that the clod mean weight diameter (MWD) increased with a decreasing soil moisture content (Salar et al 2013;Solhjou and Alavimanesh 2020). Also, increasing the tillage depth increased the MWD value (Yassen et al 1992;Esehaghbeygi et al 2020).…”

“…Increasing the forward speed increased the draught force of implements due to creating higher acceleration to the soil par-ticles during their translocation. Moreover, increasing the operating depth increased the draught force of the tools (Moeenifar et al 2014;Esehaghbeygi et al 2020). Thus, the tool geometry, operating depth and forward speed are the three important factors which highly affect the draught force of an implement.…”