Soil Properties after Plowing with Vertical and Horizontal Axis Rotavator

Authors: M. Azadbakht, B. Azadbakht, R. Janzade Galogah, A. Kiapei, H. Jafari

Abstract:

In this research, performance of rotavator with horizontal rotary axis and vertical rotary axis has been evaluated and compared. The mean weight diameter (MWD), cross-sectional area disturbed and cone index of soil investigated. Factorial experiments based on a randomized complete block with 18 treatments, three different velocities 2.2, 3.5, 6.1 km/h; three different depth of 5, 10, 15cm and with two rotary plows horizontal axis and vertical axis with three replications were used. Result showed that maximum MWD in 6.1 km/h and 15cm of depth were 55.6 and 52.5mm for horizontal axis rotavator, respectively. The minimum MWD in 2.2 km/h and 5cm of depth for vertical axis rotavator were 34.9 and 35.1mm, respectively. The values of cone index 1861.1 and 2339.5 kPa for vertical axis rotavator and horizontal axis rotavator were obtained, respectively, also the values of cross-sectional area disturbed 687 and 497.2cm² for vertical axis rotavator and horizontal axis rotavator were obtained, respectively.

Keywords: Horizontal rotary axis, vertical rotary axis, rotavator, MWD, cone index, cross-sectional area.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1091050

References:

[1] M. Azadbakht, Design, Development and Evaluation of Rotary Plow. M. Sc. Thesis, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran (in Farsi with English abstract). 1999.
[2] ASAE Standards, ASAE EP291.2 DEC98. Terminology and Definitions for Soil Tillage and Soil-Tool Relationships. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. St. Joseph, Mich. USA. 2000.
[3] J. M. Baloch, S. B. Bukhari, J. Kilgour, and A. Q. A. Mughal, Performance of Power Tiller Blades. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America. 17: 22-26. 1986.
[4] J. Bardet, Experimental Soil Mechanics. Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0133749355. 1997.
[5] J. M. Beeny and D. J. Greig, The Efficiency of a Rotary Cultivator. Journal of Agricultural Engineering research. 10: 5-12. 1965.
[6] J. N. Beeny, and D.C.P. Khoo, Preliminary Investigation into the Performance of Different Shaped Blades for Rotary Tillage of Wet Rice Soil. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research. 15: 27-33. 1970.
[7] K. H. Bukhari, S. Bukhari, M. M. Leghari, and M. S. Memon, The Effect of Speed and Rear Shield on the Performance of Rotary Tiller. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America. 27, 9-14. 1996.
[8] W. S. Chepil, A Compact Rotary Sieve and the Importance of Dry Sieving in Physical Soil Analysis. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings. 26, 4-6. 1962.
[9] M. F. Destan, and K. Houmy, Effects of Design and Kinematic Parameters of Rotary Cultivators on Soil Structure. Soil & Tillage Research. 17, 291-301. 1990.
[10] W. H. Gardner, Water Content. In Methods of Soil Analysis, Part I. Physical and Mineralogical Methods, 2nd Ed., ed. A Klute, 493-544. Madison, Wis.: American Society of Agronomy. 1986.
[11] W. R. Gill, and G. E. Vanden Berg, Soil Dynamics in Tillage and Traction. Agricultural Handbook No. 316. Washington D.C., US GPO. 1967.
[12] G. L. Kinzel, R. Holmes and S. Huber, Computer Graphics Analysis of Rotary Tillers. Transactions of the ASAE, 1392-1395 & 1399. 1981.
[13] T. W. Lambe, Soil Testing for Civil Engineers. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-471-511833-8. 1951.
[14] K. S. Lee, S. H. Park, W. Y. Park and C. S. Lee, Strip Tillage Characteristics of Rotary Tiller Blades for Use in a Dryland Direct Rice Seeder. Soil & Tillage Research. 71, 25-32. 2003.
[15] J. N. Mandal, and D. G. Divshikar, Soil Testing in Civil Engineering. India Book House Limited. ISBN: 8120409035. 1994.
[16] E. McKyes, Agricultural Engineering Soil Mechanics. Developments in Agricultural Engineering 10. Elsevier Publishing Co. 1989.
[17] M. Misczak, A Torque Evaluation for a Rotary Subsoiler. Soil & Tillage Research. 84, 178-183. 2005.
[18] J. Prasad, A Comparison between a Rotavator and Conventional Tillage Equipment for Wheat-Soybean Rotations on Vertisol in Central lndia. Soil & Tillage Research. 37, 191-199. 1996.