Plough section control for optimised uniformity in primary tillage

Abstract

Primary tillage is in many cases crucial for successful crop establishment and weed and pest control. Inversion tillage using a mouldboard plough may be required when a uniform ploughing operation covering the entire field is preferred. The ploughing operation is especially challenging at the interface area between headlands and the main cropping area. Overlapping at the interface causes a mixing of the topsoil, rather than a soil inversion, and poor burial of residues and weeds, especially of concern in organic farming. The aim of the research was to study novel plough section control designs to optimise the interface area. Concept designs with hydraulic control were studied and the preferred was developed and tested in real field operations. The research concluded that the concept was functional and by visual inspection the interface was optimised. In addition, the section control can improve operations in irregularly shaped fields.