Effect of Ploughing Depth and Speed of Three Tillage Implements on Tractor Performance

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of tractor power with three different depths and different speeds on draft, slippage, effective field capacity and fuel consumption per hour, when linked to three different tillage implements: or namely disc plow, disc harrow and ridger. The three different depths were 10cm, 15cm and 20cm, and the three different speeds were 6.5km/hr, 7.5km/hr and 8.5km/hr. The study was carried out at the Demonstration Farm of the University of Sudan for Science and Technology, Shambat. The results showed that, draft, field capacity and fuel consumption increased with increase in speed except slippage which decreased with increase in speed. The disc plow with speed III and depth III recorded the highest values of draft 11.48 kN. The disc harrow with speed I and depth III recorded the highest values of slippage 10.85 % and it also recorded the highest field capacity 1.35 ha/hr in speed III and depth I. The ridger with speed III and depth III recorded the highest values of fuel consumption 8.33 (l/fedan). The ridger recorded lowest values in draft 3.37 kN at speed I and depth I, and the slippage 6.30% at speed III and depth I. The disc plow recorded lowest values in field capacity 0.30 ha/hr at speed I and depth III, and fuel consumption 2.14 (l/fedan) at speed I and depth The statistical analysis showed that, the effect of forward speed and depth was significant on draft, slippage, effective field capacity and fuel consumption.