Performance evaluation of tractor operated spading machine
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Date
2016
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Publisher
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
Spading machine is an agricultural machine designed for loosening and breaking up soil. It is hitched to
tractor using the standard 3-point linkages and is PTO driven. It does not form a compact layer at the
bottom of the tilled soil. It can incorporate large amount of organic matter in soil. The aerobic quality
and drainage of the soil are improved. Spading machine penetrates deeper than conventional rotary
tillage. It can be conveniently used on slopes. The spading machine worked land has flat surface and
clods are regular in size and sowing can be done immediately. It can be operated in wet soil where other
implements cannot be used. Spading machines are commercially available in other parts of the world but
not in India. Information on tillage performance of spading machine under regional conditions is not
available and due to its many advantages over conventional tillage machines, this study was carried out
to evaluate its performance and to suggest suitable operational parameters. The spading machine used in
the present study has been manufactured by an Italian company ‘Selvatici’. The study involved soil type
(2 levels: S1: sandy loam and S2: silty clay loam), forward speed (2 levels: F1: 2.26 km/h and F2: 3.37
km/h), and depth of cut (3 levels: D1: 20 cm, D2: 24 cm and D3: 28 cm) as independent parameters.
Their effects were studied on dependent parameters like soil bulk density, PTO torque, soil strength
(cone index) and pulverization index (weighted mean clod diameter). Bulk density was found to be
significantly higher in sandy loam (S1) than silty clay loam (S2). Bulk density was significantly lower in
case of lower forward speed (F1) than higher forward speed (F2). Bulk density increased significantly
with increase in depth of cut. PTO torque was significantly lower in sandy loam (S1) than silty clay
loam (S2).PTO torque was significantly lower for lower forward speed (F1) than higher forward speed
(F2).PTO torque increased significantly with increase in depth of cut. Soil strength was significantly
lower insandy loam (S1) than silty clay loam (S2). Soil strength increased significantly with increase in
forward speed. Soil strength increased significantly with increase in depth of cut. Pulverisation index
(MCD) was significantly lower in sandy loam (S1) than silty clay loam (S2).MCD increased
significantly with increase in forward speed in both sandy loam and silty clay loam. MCD increased
with increase in depth of cut non significantly in sandy loam and significantly in silty clay loam. The
best operational parameters for this machine were found to be lower forward speed (F1: 2.26 km/h) and
lowest depth of cut (C1: 20 cm) in sandy loam. The study has generated data on tillage characteristics of
spading machine. This will help in further improvement or modification of the machine to suit the regional conditions.
Description
Keywords
Cone Index, PTO Torque, Pulverisation Index, Soil Bulk Density, Spading Machine, Tillage