Puddling performance of different tilling wheel designs of the float-assisted tiller in a laboratory soil bin set-up
2017
Fajardo, A.L.
The float-assisted tiller is a popular farm implement used for lowland tillage in the Philippines. Lower cost per hectare is the main advantage of using the float-assisted tiller compared with traditional plowing and harrowing. Different designs of the float-assisted tiller have been developed and are commercially available. However, only a few studies have been published regarding float-assisted tiller design modifications and their corresponding performance evaluation. The present study aimed to determine and compare the puddling performance of three designs (TW1, TW2 and TW3) of tilling wheel for the float-assisted tiller at different shaft speeds (200, 250 and 300 rpm). The experiments were done using a single tilling wheel in a laboratory soil bin filled with Maahas clay. Performance index was used as a measure of puddling performance. Performance index was affected by the tilling wheel design, shaft speed, number of passes, and the combination of number of passes and shaft speed. The mean differences of performance index were not significant between TW1 and TW2. However, the mean differences of performance index between shaft speed and number of passes were all significant. Performance index was relatively higher with TW3 on the 1st pass for all shaft speeds. The best tilling wheel design among the three is TW3 based on obtained performance index. Further study is recommended to verify results under actual field conditions.
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