Effect of different machine and operating parameters on performance of rotary blades for Strip-tillage

Strip-tillage is the practice of tilling a narrow strip ahead of or with the drill openers. This technique has proven to control and reduce soil erosion, reduce time, cost and energy requirement and fuel conservation. There is a saving in time of 60–65 per cent and in cost of operation by 50–55 per cent. The machine reduced human drudgery, as less number of operations is required. The machine succeeded in fuel saving of 50–60 per cent. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluation of three different types of rotary blades developed for strip-tillage (C-type, L-type, and RC-type) under different machine and operating parameters such as, power consumption, soil profile density and cone index. Investigations were carried out at three levels of forward speeds (1.4, 2.5 and 3.6 km/h), three levels of number of blades per flange (2,4 and 6 blades per flange), and three levels of rotational speed (110, 165 and 244 rpm). C-type blade required the least power among all the blades tested and L-type blade had the best soil break up with minimum profile density and cone index followed by RC-type blade. Four blades per flange were found to be sufficient for efficient strip-tillage. The optimum condition was shown at forward speed from 2.5 to 3.6 km/h. Lower rotary speed (110–165 rpm) reduced power consumption and gave desired soil condition.