Energy Application in Tillage and Earthmoving

Traction is cited as one of the most severe limiting factors in off-road prime movers. The demand for more productive (work output per unit time) machines has resulted in higher horsepower, heavier prime movers. The technical feasibility of increasing operational speed rather than drawbar pull to utilize more horsepower is discussed.

Nontractive methods of utilizing horsepower are considered as alternatives to the classical traction method. The direct application of energy to tillage and earthmoving processes by vibratory and rotary techniques is considered in detail. Correlary techniques involving the reduction of soil-to-metal friction are also considered.

It is concluded that nontractive methods hold considerable promise for the future; but immediate application is limited by high horsepower consumption.