The effect of the strip tillage machine parameters on the traction force, diesel consumption and CO2 emissions

Abstract

Strip tillage has become increasingly more popular owing to the reduced direct impact of the soil tillage ma-chines. Depending on the crops cultivated and strip widths, only a part of the soil is disturbed therefore theimpact on soil is reduced. Strip tillage has a positive impact on soil protection and recycle of energy.Furthermore, the use of energy is influenced by the design and the operation of the strip tillage equipment.Throughfield investigations and empirical analyses this study allowed determining the influence of the para-meters of the row cleaners and the hoe coulters–two elements of strip tillage equipment–on traction force anddiesel consumption. Field experiments were carried out on soil after the harvest of spring wheat. By changingrake angle (10°, 15°, and 22.5°), depth of hoe coulter penetration (0, 100, and 200 mm), and working speed (1.3,1.9, and 2.5 m s−1), traction force and diesel consumption were determined. Results of thefield experiments andempirical analyses showed that an increase in rake angle between the row cleaner discs had no significant effecton CO2emissions and diesel consumption while increase of driving speed and penetration depth of hoe coultersignificantly influenced diesel consumption and tractor’sCO2emissions.