摘要
This paper investigated the effect of three independent variables including: tillage speed (ranges of below 2.5 m/s and between 2.5 m/s and 5 m/s), tillage depth (range of 10 cm from 0 cm to 30 cm) and frog angle (30° 40°, and 50°) on draught forces. The experimental work was completed with determination of the draught forces using an analytical method (Saunders Equation). Numerical Simulation: Discrete Element Method (DEM) was used to verify the results obtained analytically. The results indicated that tillage depth has a stronger influence on the draught forces as compared to the tillage speed. Minimal draught forces can then be achieved through operating at shallow tillage depth and maintaining a frog angle of 30°. The results showed a variance of ±15.95% to the calculated values supporting DEM as a numerical method capable of predicting draft forces correctly, tillage power optimization and determination of optimal frog angle for the mouldboard plough.
This paper investigated the effect of three independent variables including: tillage speed (ranges of below 2.5 m/s and between 2.5 m/s and 5 m/s), tillage depth (range of 10 cm from 0 cm to 30 cm) and frog angle (30° 40°, and 50°) on draught forces. The experimental work was completed with determination of the draught forces using an analytical method (Saunders Equation). Numerical Simulation: Discrete Element Method (DEM) was used to verify the results obtained analytically. The results indicated that tillage depth has a stronger influence on the draught forces as compared to the tillage speed. Minimal draught forces can then be achieved through operating at shallow tillage depth and maintaining a frog angle of 30°. The results showed a variance of ±15.95% to the calculated values supporting DEM as a numerical method capable of predicting draft forces correctly, tillage power optimization and determination of optimal frog angle for the mouldboard plough.
