Energy Evaluation of Tillage Tools Using Soil Bin

Tillage is an importantcomponent of crop production system and may be defined as any mechanical manipulation of soil to improve its appearance and physical condition for crop production. The factors affecting the energy requirement by a tillage tools include initial soil conditions, tool shape, and manner of tool movement in the soil and the desired final soil conditions. Soil bin facilities have generally been used to evaluate soil forces and compare energy required by tillage tools.

Commonly used cultivator sweeps in the Canadian Prairies were tested in the soil bin to evaluate their suitability on energy demand. The draft of the sweeps was found to be a function of the depth and speed of operation. Tool shape plays an important role in the energy demand. The smooth sweep with low soil lifting characteristics was found to be the most suitable under these test conditions.