Tillage
Test Track
- Summary
- Experiments
- Tillage track specifications
- Construction of tillage test track
- Track instrumentation
Summary
This continuous two metre wide outdoor soil bin contains a 0.3m depth of sandy-loam soil overlaying a subsoil clay layer. The 250m long track comprises two 50m straights joined by two 50m diameter curves.
Two trolleys on rails are pulled by a 80kW self steering tractor at speeds of up to 12km/h. The first trolley fully reworks the soil, which is then levelled by a grader blade followed by one or two 3 tonne roller(s) for soil recompaction to high densities. The second trolley is used to record the force performance of the tillage tools being evaluated. Soil moisture content is maintained against evaporation by regular addition of water.
Experiments
Three types of experiments are typically conducted, namely:
Wear life studies of ground engaging tools conducted as a
continuous test using the experimental tillage tools to continuously
re-process the soil. A dual roller system ensures soil recompaction to
realistic soil densities. Mass and dimensional wear measurements are
conducted at regular travelled distance intervals, also applying a
procedure to minimise any potential rank and row biases.
Tillage force measurements where soil reprocessing to a required
density is carried out between experimental runs and a force frame which
isolates the draft, vertical and side forces on independent sliding
trolleys is used. Average force values or true time readings (force-time
characteristics) can be obtained directly into computer files using
purpose built instrumentation.
Soil flow studies where front, top and side view videoing of the
ground engaging component can be conducted.