Prediction of agricultural implement draft using an instrumented analog tillage tool

A new approach to predict draft requirements of agricultural implements using a standard tillage tool was developed. The standard tillage tool acts as an analog device and characterizes the dynamic soil conditions. This approach was verified using three different implements (subsoiler, moldboard plow and chisel plow) and two different instrumented analog tillage tools. The prediction procedure requires several soil conditions (at least four or more) spanning a range of soil conditions where both the implement and the analog tool must be tested. Draft requirements of the implement can then be predicted in any desired soil condition based on the standard tillage tool draft obtained in that soil condition. This methodology eliminates the need to test every implement in every soil type and/or condition to estimate its draft requirements. Only the reference tillage tool needs to be tested at the desired location.