Effect of moldboard plow share age and tillage depth on slippage and fuel consumption of Tractor (MF399) in Varamin region

Abstract

The abrasion of tillage implements, such as moldboard plows that consume more energy than others, dramatically affects tillage quality and compacts soil, reduces tillage depth, increases fuel consumption, wears out engine components, and reduces traction efficiency. Therefore, the effect of tillage depth (10, 20, and 30 cm) and share age (in hectares of operation in 20 two-hectare plots for each depth) on the MF399 tractor’s fuel consumption and drive wheel slippage was evaluated. The split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design was used for data analysis, and Duncan’s multiple range test conducted the mean comparison at α = 1%. The results show that tillage depth and share age significantly affected tractor fuel consumption and drive wheel slippage. Maximum (68.67 lit/ha) and minimum (44.73 lit/ha) average fuel consumption and maximum (21.32%) and minimum (11.84%) average drive wheel slippage percentages were measured in 30 and 10 cm tillage depths. Moreover, increasing tillage depth from 10 to 20 cm and from 10 to 30 cm respectively increased fuel consumption by 18.90 and 53.52% and increased slippage from 32.68% and 80.06%. Meanwhile, slippage exceeded 15% after respectively 30, 20, and 12 hectares of tillage in 10, 20, and 30 cm depths, and fuel consumption significantly increased after 14, 12, and 10 hectares relative to using new shares.