Effect of Forward Speed and Tillage Depth on Fuel Consumption and Draft Force of several types of cultivator blades

Traction efficiency and fuel consumption hgave close affinity and are considered to be important unit operations, especially during primary tillage operations. Therefore, analyzing factors that affect the amount of Traction efficiency and fuel consumption is considered important. Amongst these factors, forward speed of tractor and tillage depth are of prime importance. Experiments were conducted for comparison of draft force and fuel consumption using, three types of cultivator blades (flat Duckfoot, Duckfoot with curve shank and Chisel plow), under sandy loam soil condition by using a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD). The effect of forward speed (3, 6.5 and 9 km/h) and tillage depth (10 and 20 cm) was the experimental conditions. Within each experimental plot, draft force of cultivators, fuel consumption, soil cone index, soil dispersion and percent of soil moisture content were measured.Analysis of variance showed that the effects of the blade type, forward speed and depth on the draft force and fuel consumption was significant at 1%. Comparing the draft force and fuel consumption of blades in different forward speeds and also considering the relatively light texture of the soil, it was found that duckfoot blade with curve shank with forward speed of 3 km/h was more appropriate.