Influence of Tool and Operational Parameters on Performance of Single Point Tractor Operated Cultivator Shovels in Sandy Loam Soil

Abstract

Cultivator is one of the most important tillage tools used by Indian agriculture. Single point shovel, Reversible shovel, sweep, furrower etc. are primarily used for different applications. It has been observed that most of the commercially available cultivator newlineshovels do not follow BIS standard (6813-2000) in many aspects which also includes newlinethe single point shovel. Not matching with the standards in terms of geometry may newlineaffect the quality of working of cultivator. A survey was conducted to identify the newlinecommercially available single point shovel and cultivator tines in Udaipur region of newlineRajasthan. Experiments were conducted using six commercially available single point newlineshovels and two cultivator tines at 0.97, 1.25, 1.53 and 1.81 m/s forward speed and newline0.06, 0.08, 0.10 and 0.12 m depth of operation of soil and 900, 1000 and 1100 kPa newlinecompaction levels, moisture content of about 9 to10 per cent (d.b) in sandy loam soil newlineunder controlled soil bin conditions. Dimensions of selected single point shovels were compared with BIS code. Shovel S6 fulfilled the requirement of BIS code whereas all other shovels varied from the standards and Shovel S5 showed highest variability to newlineBIS standards. Spoil area increased with increase in depth and speed of operation for newlineall shovels and tines whereas they decreased with increase in compaction levels for all newlinethe shovels and tines. Similarly, trench area increased with increase in depth whereas newlinedecreased with increase in speed and compaction levels. Contd.....