Determination of Draft Power Requirements for Tillage Implements

The draft power required, and the fuel consumed, for the operation of individual implements for primary tillage were measured .Moreover, the draft power , and the fuel consumed , for the operation of a secondary tillage implement (disk harrow) after primary tillage were measured. Results showed that the required draft power and fuel consumption for primary and secondary tillage operations were significantly increased with increased speed and decreased with increased soil moisture content. For primary tillage, the draft power required to operate the chisel plow was significantly higher than for the other tested implements, regardless of the operating speed and the soil moisture content; while the ridger requirements were significantly the lowest. In addition, the fuel consumed during the operation of the chisel plow was significantly higher compared to the other tested implements, while the fuel requirements for the disk harrow were significantly the lowest. For secondary tillage, the draft power required and the fuel consumed, in operating the disk harrow after the chisel plow were significantly the highest.