Optimization of the Angle of Frog in Mouldboard Tillage Operations in Sandy Clay Soil
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Date
2015Author
Hiuhu, Angela
Gitau, Ayub Njoroge
Mbuge, Duncan Onyango
Mulwa, John Ndisya
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
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This paper investigated the effect of three independent variables including: tillage speed (ranges of below 2.5 m/s and between 2.5 m/s and 5 m/s), tillage depth (range of 10 cm from 0 cm to 30 cm) and frog angle (30° 40°, and 50°) on draught forces. The experimental work was completed with determination of the draught forces using an analytical method (Saunders Equation). Numerical Simulation: Discrete Element Method (DEM) was used to verify the results obtained analytically. The results indicated that tillage depth has a stronger influence on the draught forces as compared to the tillage speed. Minimal draught forces can then be achieved through operating at shallow tillage depth and maintaining a frog angle of 30°. The results showed a variance of ±15.95% to the calculated values supporting DEM as a numerical method capable of predicting draft forces correctly, tillage power optimization and determination of optimal frog angle for the mouldboard plough.
URI
http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=61861http://hdl.handle.net/11295/95973
Citation
Open Journal of Optimization , 2 015, 4, 131 -140Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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