Puddling characteristics of a single tilling wheel of float-assisted tillers at different blade shapes and wheel Slips

Issue Date

2015

Abstract

Float-assisted tillers are commonly used for land preparation under lowland condition. The float-assisted tiller has a front-mounted cage wheel (tilling wheel) and a float at the rear on which the engine is mounted. The cage wheel-like configuration of the tilling wheel produces traction and aids in floatation for the tiller. The high-speed wheel rotation and spikes of the tilling wheel produce similar soil-cutting effects as those of rotary tillers. Only a few studies so far have been carried out on the blade parameters of the tilling wheel of a float-assisted tiller. Some farmer-operators of tilling wheels claim “better” performance with use of blades other than the triangular ones. This claim has to be verified to improve the design of the tilling wheel. The study aimed to determine the effect of different blade shapes (triangular, rectangular, and no blades) and wheel slips (0.97, 0.94 and 0.91) on the performance of the tilling wheel. The experiments were done using a single tilling wheel in a soil bin containing Maahas clay. Torque transducer, speed shaft sensor and load cells equipment were used to measure forces. The highest performance index was obtained on the third pass with use of triangular blades at 0.94 wheel slip (1,173.98 m3 MJ-1). Poor performance index and tractive efficiency was obtained with use of rectangular blades especially at 0.97 wheel slip. Statistical analysis showed that performance index is significantly affected by the blade shape, wheel slip, and number of passes. On the other hand, tractive efficiency is not significantly affected by the number of passes. The mean differences of performance index between blade shapes were all significant. The mean differences of tractive efficiency between blade shapes as well as wheel slip were all significant. Poor performance was obtained with use of rectangular blades. The best blade shape for the float-assisted tiller would be triangular blades because of their high performance index and tractive efficiency. The triangular blade is recommended for use for the tilling wheel and should be operated at lower wheel slip (0.94 and 0.91). To further improve the performance of the tilling wheel, a study that considers other tilling wheel parameters such as number of blades, blade arrangements, tilling wheel width and tilling wheel diameter is recommended.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

0031-7454

Volume

98

Issue

4

Page

438-445

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Subject

Blade shape, Float-assisted tiller, INTRODUCTION, Performance index, Puddling index, Tilling wheel slip, Tractive efficiency

Digital Copy

yes

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