Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Effect of small wheel tractor and crawler tractor on soil physical properties

Author(s):

G. Rasool Mari, Ji Changying

Recieved Date: 2007-08-08, Accepted Date: 2007-12-05

Abstract:

The use of the two-wheel small tractors and crawlers’ tractors developed rapidly in China. In this study it was investigated the impact of these relatively small tractors and crawlers on compaction of a clay loam soil in south east China. Penetrometer resistance (R_p) and bulk density (ρ_b) due to one, two and four passes were studied in three transects, using soil penetration resistance (R_p) and bulk density (ρ_b) as soil compaction indicators. The relationship between soil water content and R_p, the comparison of soil compaction induced by wheel tractors and the crawlers, the effect of tractor mass on compaction, the effect of number of tractor passes and tillage on R_p, and the effect of compaction on soil was studied. Compared with wheel tractor, the crawler tractor created a more compacted plow layer due to increased passes required with this system. Crawler tractors had significantly higher R_p than wheel tractor. After trafficking in a corn harvested field, the values of R_p were investigated in the 0-5, 5- 10 and 10-15 cm depth intervals. With the development of mechanical tillage in China, mean values between properties were determined. The problem of soil compaction may be significantly increased, causing use of more passes in field.

Keywords:

Crawler tractor,  wheel tractor, penetration resistance, bulk density, moisture content, compaction, tractor passes, agricultural machinery, germination

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2008
Volume: 6
Issue: 1
Category: Environment
Pages: 190-194

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