Work Effect and Performance of a Multifunction Tillage Tool as Affected by Subsoilers, Coulters and Working Load in Northeast China

Authors

  • Jiayi Wang, Shuhong Zhao, Lianlong Gao, Yiwen Yuan, Xin Zhang, Leitao Hou

Abstract

Subsoiling and cutting stubble are efficient and effective tillage practices for conservation agriculture. However, the effect and performance of the interaction between coulters and subsoilers has not been well documented. In this study, two coulters, including a cutting disc and a stubble chopper with breach, and three subsoilers, including circular, polygonal, and fitting curve subsoilers, were tested in the field at three different working loads, i.e., 80, 100, and 120 kg, to examine the performance of a multifunction tillage tool. Resistance, power, oil consumption, cutting ratio of stubble and changes in the soil bulk density were tested as experimental indexes. The results showed that there were significant differences between the two coulters, such as in the resistance, power and cutting ratio of stubble. The stubble chopper with breach had 67.4%, 49.2%, and 18% higher resistance, power, and cutting ratio of stubble, respectively, than the cutting disc. The resistance, power, oil consumption and cutting ratio of stubble were significantly different among the three subsoilers. The fitting curve subsoiler exhibited the lowest resistance, power and oil consumption and had a 2.8% lower cutting ratio of stubble than the circular subsoiler. Significant differences in resistance, power and oil consumption were caused by the device with three kinds of load. The one with 80 kg had the smallest indexes. For long-term no-tillage farmers with excessive residue concerns, the interaction between the fitting curve subsoiler and the cutting disc coulter with 80 kg load would be beneficial for sustainable farming practice.

Published

2020-11-01

Issue

Section

Articles