Abstract
MEASUREMENT OF TILLAGE FORCES AND SOIL DISTURBANCE OF SUBSOILERS
S. O. Odey* and O. O. Okon
ABSTRACT
Measurement of tillage forces, energy requirements and soil failure using instrumentations during subsoiling for alleviation of soil compaction and conservative tillage practices was considered. Several parameters that affect tillage forces and soil loosening are tool parameters such as tool geometry, width, height, curvature, rake angle, tool speed, depth of operation, soil consistency, soil structure, consolidation, soil strength, soil cohesion, soil adhesion and soil type. Others are soil structure, soil texture, angle of internal soil friction, cone index, bulk density, porosity and soil moisture. Different types of instrumentations such as transducer, dynamometer, strain gauge and extended orthogonal ring transducer have been utilized in the measurement of forces on tillage tools. Different instrumentations have been put in place for measurement of soil disturbance, including soil profile meter, digital imaging equipment and image tracking & analysis software, laser distance sensor, linear actuator, portable pc, and a lightweight aluminium frame that can quickly and accurately measure above and below-ground soil disruption caused by tillage. Understanding of accurate measurement of tillage parameters will help in the design of new tool shapes which will reduce tool draught, energy demand and increased soil disruption over a wide speed range.
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