Control of Quackgrass in Grasslands Using Different Mechanical Weeding Strategies

It is well known that quackgrass is both very aggressive and persistent. In agriculture, many attempts have been made to eliminate this weed without success. Within the context of a sustainable agriculture, mechanical control of quackgrass represents an interesting alternative to chemical means. The use of a ＂C＂ shaped mounted tine cultivator, a rotary cross-harrow, and an ＂S＂ shaped trailed tine cultivator （alone or in combination） to control quackgrass in grassland was investigated. The rate of quackgrass present in each experimental plot was determined before and after the treatments using a one square meter quadrant. Also, the time required for each passage as well as the fuel consumption were computed. Results revealed that the fuel consumption and the time required by the ＂C＂ and ＂S＂ shaped tine cultivators to transport and expose the rhizomes to the sun on the soil surface highly depend on the quality of tillage during the first stubble passage. Also, subsequent tillage with the ＂C＂ shaped tine cultivator after a first passage with a rotary cross-harrow resulted in less fuel consumption and passage time. On the other hand, stubble and subsequent soil tillage with only the ＂C＂ shaped tine cultivator is the least successful method.

Computer aided engineering analysis and design optimization of rotary tillage tool components

The computer aided engineering analysis and design optimization of rotary tillage tool on the basis of finite element method and simulation method is done by using CAD-software for the structural analysis.The different tillage tool parts of rotary tillage tools are geometrically constructed as a solid model.The actual field performance rating parameters along with boundary conditions are set in the software for 35 hp and 45 hp tractor.The estimated forces acting on soil-tool interface are fed into software as a loading condition.The resultant effects of loading condition on tillage blade and whole rotavator assembly were obtained from stress distribution and deformations plots.The proposed working results in identifying sufficient tolerance in changing the dimensions of rotavator frame sections and side gear box for removing the excess weight in a solid section and also to raise the weight of blade for a reliable strength.The present working model with tillage blade is analysed to new design constraints with change of its geometry for the maximum weed removal efficiency by presenting its practical results from the field performance.

Predicting 3D forces of disc tool and soil disturbance area using fuzzy logic model under sensor based soil-bin

A knowledge-based fuzzy logic model was developed on experimental data and used to predict the draft,side and vertical forces and soil disturbance area by disc tillage tool operation.The laboratory research work was conducted to evaluate the performance of the disc tool at three working speeds(1.25 m/s,1.98 m/s and 2.47 m/s,respectively)and depths(0-5 cm,5-10 cm and 10-15 cm,respectively)on paddy soil under soil-bin environment.Further,draft(Fx),side(Fz)and vertical(Fy)forces of disc and soil disturbance area were assessed and predicted towards working speeds and depths.A fuzzy prediction model with two input variables(speed and depth)and four output variables was developed and the Mamdani inference approach was used.Draft,side and vertical forces of disc and soil disturbance area were positively responded 0.97,0.95 and 0.84 and 0.99,respectively.The prediction results showed a close relationship between measured and predicted data.Similarly,the measured and predicted results revealed that the draft,side,vertical forces,and soil disturbance area slightly increased,while increasing the speed and depth of the disc tool.Furthermore,disc forces and soil disturbed area were highly significant(p<0.05)for higher speed towards depth.It was concluded that the fuzzy model may be introduced for predicting the disc forces and soil disturbance area during the disc tillage tool operation with high accuracy.