STUDY ON TILLAGE RESISTANCE AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF A PLAIN STRAIGHT ROTARY BLADE FOR STRIP TILLAGE

ABSTRACT The issue of reducing tillage resistance and lowering energy consumption has become increasingly relevant. Strip tillage has a positive impact on soil protection and energy consumption reduction. This study analysed the tillage resistance components of rotary blades and their relationship with operating parameters and developed a mathematical relationship between tillage resistance and energy consumption (power and fuel consumption). We summarised tillage resistance into three parts: air resistance, lateral rotational friction resistance (divided into horizontal and vertical resistance), and shear force. By theoretical analysis and coupled simulation tests 11 (DEM-CFD), we obtained an air resistance, lateral rotational friction, and shear force of 0.0883 N, 97.21 N, and 893.496 N, respectively, accounting for 0.01%, 9.81%, and 90.18% of tillage resistance. Meanwhile, we found that horizontal resistance decreased linearly with the increase of angular speed, which was the opposite of vertical resistance. Horizontal and vertical resistance increased linearly with the increase in contact area. Shear force increased significantly with angular speed. Fuel consumption in the field test and tillage resistance and power consumption in coupled simulation was formed to build a correspondence point, and a mathematical relationship between tillage resistance, torque, and power and fuel consumption was established.