Effect of λ – Ratio and Depth of Cut on Draft, Fuel Consumption, Power Consumption and Field Efficiency of an Offset Rotavator under Different Type of Orchards

Abstract

Rotary tillage implements are now being projected as important rotary tools that result in production of fine tilth soil however the rotavator being in line with the tractor at the back cannot be used in orchards due to the hindrance posed by narrow space between the trees. Hence there is need of some tillage tool in offset to the central line of tractor so that it can reach to the area under the tree with the tractor placed in between the rows. In the offset working condition (offset rotavator) the rotary tillage unit can easily reach the strip of soil under low trees and vegetation where tractors could not operate because of limited height. The study was undertaken to examine the influence of λ – ratio, depth of cut at different orchards fields such as mango, guava, and Sapota with dependent parameters such as draft, fuel consumption, power consumption and field efficiency by an offset rotavator. In this paper the results indicated that as the λ – ratio and depth of cut increases the value of draft, fuel consumption, power consumption also increase.