Experimental apparatus to determine the power applied in vibrating vertical tillage

The aim of this work was to evaluate an alternative to reduce energy consumption applied to primary soil tillage. To do this an experimental apparatus was developed to evaluate the operation of vibration induced tillage. The components that integrated the system for field valuation were: frame tool carrier that includes a system of three-point hitch and depth control mechanism; three sensors were included to measure tillage force, torque and the frequency of the subsoiler oscillation. Oscillatory impact force was applied through a rod and crank mechanism through a subsoiler tine whose movement is provided by a hydraulic motor. The apparatus evaluation was complemented by a system of data acquisition and signal conditioner that allows the registration of the variables of interests such as draft power, penetration force, applied torque and speed of oscillation of the system. The results of the calibration of the sensors showed a system correlation higher than 95%. The results obtained during field system verification at different speed, amplitude and depth of tillage showed a reduction of the draft force up to 50% using the oscillated induced tillage compared to the non-vibrating tine condition. The study shows a significant increase in the magnitude of the draft force and torque applied by 33% when the working depth increased from 0.30 to 0.40 m and an increase of 21% of draft force was produced when the amplitude of oscillation was reduced from 0.070 to 0.060 m. No significant difference was found when the tractor speed was increased from 1.5 to 2.5 km h^-1. For future work the developed apparatus will allow to determine how the amplitude and the working depth and oscillation frequency of the tine could affect the draft force in tillage work.