DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF A MOLDBOARD PLOW

A simulation model of the plough-tyre-soil system was developed to study the dynamic behaviour of a trailed mouldboard plough when operating on rough field surfaces. The model provides a means of investigating the dynamic behaviour of a plough and its resonance frequencies. It also allows study of the effects of spring and damping rate of supporting tyres and soil on the performance of a mouldboard plough. The dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients of the soil, the hydraulic cylinders and the plough tyres were estimated and used in the model. To verify the developed model, experiments were carried out under field conditions. During the experiments, vertical displacement of the plough, ploughing speed and resulting forces were measured. The resonance peak frequencies which were identified from the results of field experiments reasonably agreed with the model's prediction.