Throwing of Clods by Blades of Reverse-Rotational Rotary Tiller (Part 1)

Tillage Resistance and Throwing of Clods by Single-Bladed Model

Abstract

Recent breakthroughs in the establishment of a reverse-rotational rotary tiller with Sukuizume require the development of techniques for further reducing the soil cutting resistance while maintaining the function of backward throwing of tilled clods. This article describes the characteristics of cutting resistance and the backward throwing of a single-blade unit using a double-bladed experimental apparatus to cut a soil block. Three different test blades (a normal scoop-surface outer-edge, a short scoop-surface outer-edge and a normal scoop-surface inner-edge) were used. Results showed that the short scoop-surface blade reduced tillage resistance by about 25% and also reduced the distance clods were thrown when compared with the normal scoop-surface blade. The inner-edged blade both produced high cutting resistance and reduced the clod throwing distance.