Energy optimization for subsoilers in tandem in a sandy clay loam soil

In some maize growing regions of South Africa, conventional subsoilers are used in a tandem configuration to till up to 600 mm. The farmers believe the tandem configuration decreases the draft force per unit area tilled. If so, this probably happens because the critical depth for the rear subsoiler is increased beyond its maximum working depth of 600 mm. Such tillage systems necessitated this study with an ultimate goal of establishing the relative position of the front subsoiler at which energy utilization can be optimized. Experiments were conducted under field conditions in a fine sandy clay loam soil and consisted of a continuous measurement A of horizontal and vertical forces acting on each subsoiler at a constant speed of 1.5 kmph. The rear subsoiler was operated at a constant depth of 600 mm while that of the front subsoiler and the spacing were varied. Further more, at the end of each run the cross-sectional areas of the disturbed soil-profiles were measured at different sections and the total failure profiles constructed by a Matlab-based computer program. The results showed that the cross-sectional area failed per unit draft force linearly increased with spacing between the subsoilers. The efficiency of the subsoilers in this configuration was maximized when the longitudinal spacing was such that the soil failed by the front subsoiler was allowed to stabilize before the rear subsoiler reached it. The maximum cross-sectional area failed per unit draft force was recorded when the depth of the front subsoiler was equal to about 80% of the operating depth of the rear subsoiler. The knowledge contributed by this research will not only facilitate qualitative field operations and optimize energy use, but also promote better management decisions. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.