Development of Active - Passive Combination of Tillage Implement Suitable for Mini Tractor

Abstract

An experimental tillage tool, which integrates active - passive implements (cultivator tines in the front and a rotavator in the rear), was evaluated in the field. The forward-rotating active elements produced a negative draft, significantly reducing the overall draft requirements of the tool. When compared to a tool with four passive elements, a combination machine equipped with two active and two passive elements experienced an 87 per cent less draft and draft power, despite having similar total power. According to estimates of power transmission efficiency, a combination machine would use 34 per cent less energy than a similar passive tillage tool. The tillage performance parameters, including draft force, fuel consumption, wheel slip, and power requirement, were measured using a digital dynamometer at different operating depths. The drawbar power needed for the combination tillage implement was determined. During field test, the draft force of the rotavator with tines was observed to be 0.46 kw, 1.7 kw, and 3.5 kw at forward speeds of 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 km h-1, respectively.