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Abstract

This paper discusses the influence of spring elasticity and spring orientation on the draft force during tillage operation. The experiments were conducted in a soil bin with the following dimensions: 1.2 m in length, 0.3 m in width and 0.4 m in depth. The soil used in this experiment was clay loam soil; the depth of the hardpan in the soil bin was 12 to 15 cm with a penetration resistance of 2.75MPa. The depth of the tillage operation was 14 to 17 cm, and the thickness of the hardpan to be tilled was 7 to 10 cm. The tillage tool was connected to a fixed structure using a semi-elliptical spring. The tillage speeds used were 0.158, 0.212 and 0.265 m/s. Two spring orientations were tested: Rear Spring Treatment (RST) and Front Spring Treatment (FST) orientations. In the RST orientation, the draft force raised the elevation of the tillage tool tip, and the draft force caused the tillage tool tip elevation decrease in the FST orientation. Compared to rigid tine, the average draft force in the FST orientation increased up to 73 %, whereas a draft force reduction was found in the RST orientation.