Factors Affecting Rotavator Performance

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
India has 182.42 million ha of land under cultivation which produces around 26.93
million tonnes of food grains every year. Wheat and rice are the major crops grown in India
with an overall production of 93.90 million tonnes of wheat and 87.83 million tonnes of rice
(Anon 2013). Punjab having cropping intensity of 190 per cent has rice as second largest crop
after wheat. Wheat is grown on an area of 3.50 million ha and its production is 15.16 million
tonnes (Anon 2013). Mechanization has played an important role in reaching such level of
agriculture production and cropping intensity. In India the current consumption of food grains
is nearly about 197.9 kg per capita (Anon 2013) and it is estimated that the demand of food
grains 10 years from now will rise significantly. In order to cope up with the increasing
demand of food grains, there is a great need to provide farmers with suitable agricultural
machinery/techniques and technologies as per need of cropping system.
Tillage is the most important operation for crop production. The purpose of tillage is to
create favourable environment conditions for seed placement and plant growth. Tillage has
always been one of the larger power consuming operations on a farm. Tillage operation
includes breaking the soil surface up to certain depth and to loosen the soil mass using
equipment like mould board ploughs, disc plough, disc harrows, cultivators etc., but require
multiple operations. These multiple operations consists of primary and secondary tillage.
Primary tillage results in preparing suitable seed bed and destroy weeds grown on the surface
and improve soil physical condition followed by secondary tillage which improves soil
pulverization, conserves moisture and cut chops the crop residue and mixes vegetative matter
with top soil. Tillage induces changes in physical properties such as bulk density, penetration
resistance and aggregate stability, whereas minimum tillage and no tillage operation maintain
soil physical qualities. Tillage is also a powerful tool for weed control and managing many
harmful biotic factors. Various methods of tillage can also have important effects on plant
fungi pathogens and insect pests (Smutny et al 2003). The invention of the variable width
implements is an important step in the development of tillage tools that could be adjusted to
accommodate changes in tillage and tilth required (Jori and Erbach 1998). Variable tilth
primary tillage implements like ploughs and subsoilers and the pto driven secondary tillage
machines such as rotary and oscillating tillers and harrows with multi-speed gear box makes it
possible to adjust tillage tool performance on the ‘go’ according to the soil and field
conditions encountered. With this agriculture got the power to attain the desired soil tilth in
different soil conditions.
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Currently the surface tillage farming system are not effective in retaining the stubbles
of the last crop, followed by the secondary tillage using cultivators, plankers etc. This is the
situation in most of the northern states of India including Punjab, Haryana and Utter Pradesh
where paddy-wheat rotation has been widely adopted. The time between harvesting the first
crop and sowing of the next crop is very limited, keeping in mind the tillage operations,
irrigation and manpower available. During the preparation of the field and developing smooth
seed bed for the next crop, the primary and secondary tillage operations increase to as many
as two to three disking, three operations of the field cultivator and two plankings, thus adding
to more cost of operation.
A considerable attention is being directed towards the potentialities of multi-powered

tillage tools like rotavators and powered spading machines. Rotary tillage achieve the
essences of work by virtue of its ability to pulverize the soil because the rotary motion
produces continuous changes in the shear planes which help in finding the weakest fracture
plane in the clods and thereby gave better churning action resulting in increase in puddling
quality. It is also considered as the best tool for mixing of green crop mass/residue into the
soil as it chops the green mass/residue into pieces and buried it under the soil which got easily
decomposed with passage of time. Thereby rotary tillage tools (rotavator) are being preferred
for pulverization, puddling and mixing operations as compared to disc harrow, cultivator and
planker operation.
In Punjab, farmers generally use disc harrows, cultivators and plankers in multiple
operations for seed bed preparation whereas cultivator and planker is being used for puddling
of soil. Multiple operations of disc harrow are done to mix green crop mass (legume crop) in
the soil to increase soil fertility. Rotavator is becoming very popular in Punjab as it is
replacing disc harrows and cultivators. There are about 6720 rotavators in operation in Punjab
(Anon 2011) and their number is increasing every year. The provison of subsidy on this
equipment by state government is also giving a great push for its adoption among the farmers.
However the power consumption is high, even then rotavator is considered to be time and
energy efficient equipment as it prepares seed bed in a single pass thus saves time, labor and
fuel there by reducing the cost of seed bed preparation.
The work quality of a rotavator beside field conditions also depends on design
parameters like rotor blade layout, speed of rotor and forward speed of operation. When a
tillage operation is performed in the field, the soil structure will be a function of soil
conditions, blade kinematics and soil flow dynamics. As the blades of a rotary tiller rotate,
each point on a given blade traces a trochoidal path in the soil. On the forward part of the
trochoidal path, the blade will cut or fracture untilled soil and on the backside of the trochoid,
the blade will tend to mix and pulverize the soil slices. The proper design of the interrelated
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cutting and clearance angles of rotary tiller blades is essential for efficient operation. Increase
in cutting angle also increases the power requirement of tiller, quality of pulverisation and
mixing (Hendrick and Gill, 1974). Graphical studies also revealed on rotary blade that blade
shape and orientation showed significant effect on power requirement and pulverisation
quality (Chen et al 1993 and Saimbhi 2001). Hence, in rotary tools, there is predetermined
length of soil cut, which is cut every time, and there is complete control over bite length. The
transfer of rotary power directly to tool from tractor pto rather than through inefficient
drawbar pull and movement of rotary tools in direction of motion, are some of the inherent
advantages of rotary tools.
In India three types of blade shapes i.e L, C and J type are available in the market and
most of the rotavators in general have L shape blades. Since the rotavators in India are being
used for tillage, puddling and mixing of crop residue/green manuring. So, for creating
favourable conditions for crop growth, selection of a particular shape is of utmost importance
to obtain quality work with lesser energy input. Although studies has been carried out in India
only on puddling quality in general but very few on selection of shape of blades. It was
concluded that J shape blade gave good puddling results in puddling as it saves water &
energy as compared to L and C shape blade (Singh 2011). So, there is a need to study the
blade shape and rotor speed of rotavator to get good quality of work in terms of tillage and
mixing of crop mass in the soil. The present study was planned with the following objectives:
1. To study the effect of blade shape and rotor speed of rotavator on pulverisation
quality and mixing index.
2. To find out the suitable combination of blade shape and rotor speed of rotavator for
better quality of work.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
In this chapter, brief information about the studies carried out by various researchers
in India and abroad has been reviewed and compiled. The information has been arranged
under the following headings:
2.1 Tillage
2.2 Tillage equipment’s
2.3 Pulverization index
2.4 Mixing index
2.5 Energy and power requirement
2.6 Blade shape

2.7 Fuel consumption
2.1 Tillage
Tillage may be defined as the mechanical manipulation of soil for any purpose, but
usually for nurturing crops. In agriculture, the objectives of soil tillage are:
i. To develop a desirable soil structure for seed bed or rootbed. It provides good
retention to rainfall and minimum resistance to root penetration. A good seedbed, on
the other hand, is generally considered to imply finer particles and greater firmness in
the vicinity of the seeds to enhance moisture to the seed for better germination.
ii. To control weeds and to remove unwanted plants.
iii. For thorough mixing of residue to get the desirable tilth and decomposition
standpoint.
iv. To create desirable surface conditions for planting, irrigation, drainage, or harvesting
operations.
Tillage operations for seedbed preparation are often classified as primary or

secondary, although the distinction is not always clear-cut. A primary tillage operation
constitutes the initial, major soil-working operation after harvesting of the previous crop. It is
normally designed to reduce the soil strength, cover plant material and rearrange aggregates,
whereas secondary tillage is induced to create refined soil conditions followed by primary
tillage. It is normally designed to improve the seedbed by greater pulverization of soil, to
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conserve moisture, kill weeds, reduce evaporation, to cut and chop the crop residue and mix
vegetable matter
The equipments used by the farmers to break and loosen the soil to the depth of 15 to
92 cm comes under primary tillage equipment. It includes mould board & disc ploughs, rotary
plough, chisel and subsurface ploughs. The equipment used for secondary tillage works upto
the depth of 15 cm. It includes harrows, rollers, pulverizers (Sharda 2001).
2.2 Tillage equipment’s
Change in porosity and pore size of the soil due to tillage was studied by Unger
(1975). It was observed that disrupting the natural structure resulted in decreased water
retention of coarse-textured soils and increased the retention of fine –textured soils relative to
that of natural soil cores at a matric potential of - 0.033 MPa. At a matric potential of - 1.5
MPa, disturbed sample of soil of all textures retained slightly more water than undisturbed
sample, but the percentage change was greater for coarse textured soils than that for fine
textured soils.
The design theory of the Japanese C- shaped rotary tiller blade was studied by Sakai
(1978). Design process gave satisfactory results in studying the effect of edge curve angle of
blade. The larger value of edge curve angle makes area of the blade wider which goes in to
the soil and increases the tilling resistance. It was observed that the grass and straw do not
twine round the blade for edge curve angle of 57.5˚ at the tip, 67.5˚ at the holding portion and
61˚ to 62˚ at the sidelong portion.
Number of passes required by a rotary cultivator for optimum puddling was

determined by Cruz et al (1992) in clay soil. It was found that only one pass was necessary in
area with few weeds at speed of 235 rpm and at least two passes were required in fields with
larger number of weeds.
Kosutic et al (1995) tested six tillage systems in the production of wheat, rapeseed
and maize on silty loam soil on the western avonia region of Croatia. The result showed that
the tillage system using a single pass of a rotary cultivator with integrated drill resulted in the
lowest energy consumption and labour requirement and also produced the highest yield in
rapeseed.
Xiying Hao et al (2000) studied the effect of conventional tillage and minimum
tillage on soil physical properties for two crops sequence on clay loam soil for 5 years. It was
found that there was no significant effect of tillage in the first year but after 5 years of
cropping, bulk density of soil was significantly lower for conventional tillage than for
minimum tillage at a fixed depth. An increase in cone index was also reported in no tillage,
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however no significant change in cone index in minimum tillage and conventional tillage
treatment was observed in the study.
It was studied by Mohanty et al (2006) that puddling is known to increase the yield of
rice due to the creation of suitable physical environment that favours growth of crop.
However in rice-wheat system, wheat yield has been reported to decrease due to deterioration
of soil structure caused by puddling in rice. A nonlinear regression model was used to assess
the residual effect of puddling in rice and direct effect of different tillage and residue
management practices on wheat seedling emergence and growth in rice-wheat system on a
vertisol of central India. Wheat seeding emergence was maximum where rice was direct
seeded, and wheat was grown under conventional tillage with residue retained at the surface.
The effect of three types of tillage implements namely Chisel, offset disc harrow and
ridger on bulk density, porosity, aggregate stability and penetration resistance of sand clay
soil was studied by Dahab (2011). It was found that tillage implements decreased the bulk
density and penetration resistance and increased the porosity and aggregate stability of upper
soil depth (0-15 cm). The offset disc harrow was the most effective implement in altering the
upper soil depth (0-15cm) conditions compared to the chisel and ridger implements for both
soils.
2.3 Pulverization index
Ram et al (1978) carried out a study on comparative field evaluation of rotary auger
plough and rotavator. It was reported that the rotavator pulverized the soil effectively
covering about 0.2 ha and consuming 4.0 litre diesel in one hour. The main limitation of
rotavator was its working depth which was limited to 8 cm.
Pezzi (1995) performed experiments with three different tools mounted on rotary
cultivators, on a compact silty clay soil, using each setting at four different ground speeds.
For the three tools, the ground speed influenced the degree of soil break up and the energy
expended. A reduction in speed resulted in better soil breakage especially for small clods (dia.
< 25mm), but an increase in energy consumption. The straight sharpened blade tools
performed best with regards to soil break up and energy expended. The spike tools, due to
high cross section of the spikes, gave relatively low clod breakage and the highest energy
cost.
Later on study was also conducted by Bukhari et al (1996). It was found that the
degree of soil pulverization attained by a rotary tiller was comparable with the use of a mould
board plough and harrow (twice) and spike tooth harrow. In another study by Janardhan P
(1996), the performance of a tractor operated rotavator was compared with that of the
conventional tillage equipment for seedbed preparation under a wheat and soyabean crop
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rotation in Madhya Pradesh (India). In the study four tillage treatments were considered
which consist of two operations of a sweep type cultivator followed by one operation of a disc
harrow (T1), Mould board ploughing followed by two operations of a disc harrow (T 2), one
operation of a rotavator (T3) and two operations of a rotavator (T4). During winter wheat crop,
bulk density after tillage in treatment T3 and T4 was significantly lower as compared to
treatment T1 and T2 .
A fractal relationship between the clod size distribution and rotary tiller was
presented by Wang et al (1998), from this relationship the mean value and the deviation of
distribution could be determined. The relationships were verified using test data. The
influences of forward speed, rotary speed and the oblique angle on the distribution of clod
size formed by the tiller were analysed.
Chen et al (1999) calculated the back throw ratio of up-cut rotary cultivator. The
back-throw ratio of the soil was defined as the percentage of back-throw soil (mass) within
the total cultivated soil mass during one revolution of the rotary cultivator blade, and was
used to determine the performance of cultivator. During up-cut rotary cultivation soil slice
throwing was mainly from the front cutting surface of the blade. The cut soil slice not only
moved with the front cutting surface, but also moved relative to the front cutting surface,
under the action of external forces, until it was thrown free from the blade. From macroscopic
analysis the throwing direction of soil slices could be divided into two situations, of front
throwing and back throwing. In accordance with the conditions of back-throw, the critical
point of soil slices could be determined, and used for the calculation of volume and mass of
back-throw soil. A calculation model, including both the initial throwing velocity and back-
throw ratio of soil was established.
2.4 Mixing index
The value of green manuring lies in the fact that organic matter is incorporated into
the soil. Nitrogen is one of the nutrients which is largely consumed by the crops during
nurturing. So after some time soil tends to lose the nutrient content in it. By planting green
manure crops like alfalfa, Berseem/ dhancha etc. and keeping the land fallow for some time
with this crop cover on it can help retaining nitrogen content of the soil. In some cases the
green manure crop is mixed within the soil at the time of tillage. Effective incorporation of
the green manure crop is as important as the growing of the crop. Decomposition of the green
material should happen quickly and this will depend on chopping and mixing of crop
mass/residues and adequate aeration of the soil.
A rotary tiller implement with a 10-hp, 2 wheel tractor was developed by Akkapol et
al (2004) in order to incorporate green manure namely Sesbaniarostrata. Rotary tiller
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powered with a chain and sprocket power transmission arrangement was developed. The
rotary tiller fitted with 15 C-L type blades on the tiller shaft offered a cutting width of 50 cm.
It was tested for incorporating the green manure at a rotary speed of 348 rpm. The field
capacity of the tiller was 0.54 rai/h, with a fuel consumption of 4.7 l/rai. The length of
Sesbaniarostrata prior to the test was 119 cm and it was reduced to 29 cm after being
chopped by the incorporation.
2.5 Energy and power requirement
Hendrick and Gill (1971) reported that the total power requirement increases with
increase in tillage depth but specific power requirement decreases. Power requirement
increases as peripheral to forward speed ratio decreased, but reduce the specific power.
Whereas decreasing this ratio by decreasing the rotor velocity, decreased the power
requirement and specific power. The effect of direction of rotation of the rotary tools on the
power requirement was reported. In the forward rotation the majority of the energy was
expended in the first quarter. Since each rotary blade tiller cuts a slice of continuously varying
thickness, there was considerable variation in the torque requirement of an individual cutting
tool. It was also found that the total power requirement increased with increase in tillage
depth but the specific power requirement decreases with increase in depth of tillage.
Beeny (1973) conducted field experiments to compare the performance of 2 sets of

differently shaped blades under typical swamp rice conditions. The use of accurate electronic
equipment showed that “speed” blades used only 75% power demanded by the “power”
blades with no observable practical difference between the resulting puddled bed. The use of
“speed” type blades on rotary cultivators is therefore recommended. This, along with
increased tractor engine power by supercharging, should permit the cultivation of a swath
having a greater width than the overall width of the tractor including wheel or track
equipment fitted. This would aid trafficability and increase the working rate. Optimum
power/weight ratios for wet rice cultivation tractors are suggested as being in the region of 70
bhp for a 5000 lb tractor.
Chamen et al (1979) reported the bite length affected the clod size, power
requirement and forward thrust generation by rotary tools. Reduction in power requirement
was observed with increase in number of tools when the bite length and rotor diameter were
kept constant. The C shape blade was found to require less about 30% less PTO power than
standard blade (L-shaped).
Summer et al (1986) developed a method for estimating implement power

requirement from engine fuel consumption. Output measurement of the system during field
operation were engine frequency, elapsed time, accumulated fuel consumption, fuel
8
temperature and machine forward velocity. Data from PTO dynamometer test was used to
develop equations to predict PTO power output from engine fuel consumption by a 51 kW
and 54 kW tractors. The equations were used to estimate equivalent PTO power requirement
of implements from measured fuel consumption in the field tests while harvesting peanuts and
bermuda grass and baling cotton stalks.
Chancellor and Smith (1987) used a microchip computer system to calculate the
output of a signal proportional to engine torque using input from a magnetic RPM pickup and
a potentiometer linked to the governor setting lever. The signal representing the estimated
torque rose to 100% maximum engine torque for a period of one second or so when the
governor setting was suddenly advanced. Signals below zero were obtained for similar period
when the governor setting was suddenly retracted. Otherwise signals representing torque
generally paralleled actual engine torque levels. Sources of minor amount of imprecision in
detecting the actual governor settings cause sizable errors between estimated and actual
torque values. The torque estimation system was intended for use with an automatic controller
for transmission ratio and engine speed.
Ozturk and Clinger (1993) studied the performance of two wedge tine rotary tillers
with working widths of 1.8 and 2.2 m and a straight line rotary tiller in the field in terms of
soil breakup and power requirement. It was found that increase in rotational speed resulted in
higher soil working effect. For an increase in rotational speed from 2.7 to 4.3 Km/h, on an
average 27 percent more power was required.
The effect of type of blades on power requirement of a tractor drawn rotary cultivator
during puddling in Bangkok clay soil was investigated by Salokhe et al (1993). For this
purpose, C-shaped, L-shaped and a combination of C and L shape blades called C-L blades
were used and three passes of rotavator were given. It was observed that C-shaped blades
consumed less power than L and C-L blade attachments at any forward speed and pass. The L
blade attachment required 33, 24 and 14 percent, while the C-L blade attachment required 14,
12 and 4 percent higher power than the C blade attachment during the first pass at 1.0, 1.5 and
2.0 km/h forward speed respectively. The power consumed decreased at higher passes. For C
blade, the percent reduction in bulk density and the puddling index was higher as compared to
the percent reduction in bulk density and puddling index obtained with L and C-L blade
rotavators. In general, the C blade performed better than the other two types of blades
investigated in the study.
Tremblay et al (1994) conducted an experiment in which timothy and alfalfa were

mowed, macerated, compressed into a mat, deposited onto the stubble, and, after a wilting
period, chopped with a forage harvester. The pto power to mow and macerate forage was
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estimated to 24 and 60 kW for throughputs of 5.0 and 14.4 t DM/h respectively. The pto
power to harvest and chop forage was lower with mats than with conventional windrows
because mats were dries and resulting in a longer length of cut.
Wiedemann and Cross (1994) Studied that Chain diking is a novel method of forming
basins on flat-tilled land to decrease runoff. An instrumented tractor was used to measure
pulling requirements of both cropland and rangeland chain-diking implements. Three
cropland units were tested in two soils at four speeds, and one rangeland unit was tested at
three speeds. Draft per meter of width to pull the cropland chain dikers was not significantly
influenced by speed and averaged 0.95 kN/m. The influence of model width or soil type on
draft per meter was negligible. The predicted drawbar power required to operate a chain diker
is used in combination with a disk to provide tillage, land smoothing, and basin formation for
rangeland seedbed preparation. Draft of the diking chain was 0.46 kN per blade of the disk
chain; this accounted for 20% of the force to pull the disk-chain-diker at 5 km/h. Energy for
pulling was 14.46 kWh/ha per blade.
Niyamapa et al (1994) conducted laboratory study to determine optimum parameters

for the design of a rotary cultivator. A study was conducted in a soil bin with clay soil at a
moisture content of 23.26 per cent (dry basis) and dry bulk density of 1.29 g/cm2.
Experiments were conducted at working depths of 12 and 18 cm, rotor speeds of 140, 160,
180, 200 and 220 rpm and forward speeds of 0.16, 0.23, 0.64 and 1.25 m/s. Power
consumption was calculated from the speed and rotor torque data. The power requirement for
cutting and throwing the soil, increased with increased in rotor speed, forward speed and
tillage depth. These three parameters also affected the soil breakage. Larger clods sizes were
formed when tillage depth and forward speed were high and rotor speed was low. Smaller
clod sizes were formed when tillage depth and forward speed were low and rotor speed was
high. The optimum parameters for the design of rotary cultivator were found for tillage depth
of 18 cm, forward speed of 0.35 m/s and a rotor speed of 165 to 200 rpm. At these operating
conditions, power consumption ranged from 2.70 to 3.50 kW.
Kosutic et al (1997) studied the optimal combination of working factors (working

velocity, depth of tillage and peripheral velocity) of a rotary cultivator with spike tines with
respect to achieved weighted mean diameter of clods, energy requirement and rate of work.
Statistical analysis showed that the best among 18 combinations of working factors with
respect to minimum energy requirement and highest rate of work was the combination of 4.87
km/h working velocity, 12.0 cm of depth of tillage and 5.91 m/s tine peripheral velocity. This
combination required specific work of 140.5 KJ/m3 or specific energy of 168.0 MJ/ha with
rate of work 1.31 ha/h. Energy expenditure decreased by 23.9 per cent and gave a 47.0 per
cent higher rate of work in comparison to the next best combination.
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Poje and Filipovic (1998) determined the energy consumption during tillage by
implements with active working elements in a loam soil of optimal moisture. From the
measurement of pulling force, torque on drive wheels, torque of PTO, and passage with and
without slippage, rolling resistance and wheel slip were calculated. During experiment with a
rotary harrow on a plowed soil, 63.8 percent power was used for driving, 28.5 per cent for
pulling and 7.7 per cent for control of tractor rolling resistance. A rotary tiller on ploughed
soil engaged 85.2 per cent of power for driving and 14.8 per cent for control of tractor rolling
resistance and drive wheel slippage. When the rotary tiller was used in unplowed soil, 71.838
kW power was engaged, however, there was negative draft (24.8kW) returning power from
rotary tiller to tractor. Energy requirement per unit volume of tilled soil (specific work) was
238 to 276 KJ/m3.
Sharda (2001) conducted study on influence of selected parameters on performance

of rotary tillers under different field conditions. The experiment was conducted on C-shaped
and L-shaped blades of rotavator. While operating the rotavator under different field
conditions it was found that at a given rotary speed C-shaped consumed 19 percent less power
as compared to L-shaped blades.
Souza et al (2001) conducted an experiment to find the power requirement for

operating an axial flow bean harvester. Experimental tests were performed; the torque and
angular velocity in the power take-off (PTO), the drawbar force, the machine speed and
harvesting capacity were measured. To analyze the effect of the variables on the power
needed, regression analysis were done. The drawbar power for the maximum grain bin
capacity was 7.90 kW. The maximum PTO power to operate the machine was found to be
45.28 kW. The maximum harvesting capacity was 6.56 t/h. The minimum specific energy
consumption was 2.46 kWh/t.
Kheiralla et al (2004) collected information on power and energy requirements for

tillage implements. Draught and energy requirement measurements were made with an
instrumented tractor for mould board ploughing, disk ploughing, disc harrowing and rotary
tilling in the Serdang sandy clay loam soil. The effects of travel speed and tillage depth or
rotor speed upon the measured draught and power requirements were investigated. Four
polynomial draught and power models from orthogonal regression analyses were formulated
based on linear and quadratic functions of travel speed and tillage depth or rotary tiller bite
length. The predictions by the draught models developed for the mouldboard plough and the
disk harrow were within the ranges of draught recommended by ASAE Standards D497.3.
Four linear fuel consumption models from regression analyses were also formulated based on
drawbar power or PTO power as well as equivalent PTO power. Fuel consumption rates
predicted by ASAE Standards D 497.3 were found to be 17–33% overestimates of the values
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predicted by the statistical models developed from measurements. However, fuel
consumption rates reported by OECD Tractor Test were found to be 94–109% of the values
predicted by the models developed. From 37 to 52% of the measured fuel consumption for the
various ploughing operations was required to propel the tractor, and the remainder was used
for the actual task of working the soil. The disk harrow was the most energy efficient
implement in terms of fuel consumption and specific energy, followed by the rotary tiller,
disk plough and mouldboard plough.
Garcia et al (2005) conducted an experiment for the beans harvesting system. The
objective of this work was to evaluate the operational performance of a tractor-harvester
system for beans. The work was done using an automatic data acquisition system to acquire
the torque and rotational velocity of the power take-off (PTO) and the system velocity. The
processing capacity and the loss values were determined. The largest torque requirement, at 7
Hz PTO conditions, was 731 Nm, and the largest torque requirement, at the 9 Hz PTO
conditions, was 907 Nm. The tractor-harvester system for beans during field tests showed,
mean processing capacity of 0.85 kg/s for a production field condition of 0.22 kg/m2.The
product was harvested at 13.6% moisture content. At these conditions, it was found a total
loss of 11.15%.
Since rotavators are considered as tillage tools which are capable of creating the
desired soil tilth quality with significantly fewer tillage passes. Zhang et al (2010) developed
a power consumption analytical model of a typical L-shaped blade for a small rotavator,
which is suitable for soil cultivation of hills and mountainous areas of southern China. A
power requirement optimization method using multi objective probability parameter
optimization was designed, which can optimize parameters like shaft rotation velocity,
forward speed and soil pulverization. It was concluded that in order to reduce the peak power
requirement and to guarantee soil pulverizing effect, the power consumption optimization
model involving main working parameters, such as power required by a blade, soil
pulverization rate, forward travel speed, tillage blade rotational velocity and tillage depth, was
carried out in conditions of a maximum tillage blade power requirement (M) no more than
0.185 kW and with a kinematic parameter λ preset-value of 4 to 10, the results show that the
optimized tillage blade rotation velocity ω= 400 r/min and forward travel speed Vf = 0.9 m/s.
2.6 Blade shape
The performance of three blade shapes viz. L-type, C-type and I-type having different
radius of curvature in wet rice soil was studied by Benny and Khoo (1970). The performance
was compared in terms of specific work as ratio of work done per bite to the volume worked
per bite. The specific work required by the L-shaped blades was found comparatively higher
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than the other two types over a similar range of operating conditions. The power requirement
of I-shape blades was found considerably less than the other two, even though this blade
experienced a high degree of slippage between the blade and the soil at higher speeds. Not
much difference in the area/volume ratio was reported between three different blade types. L-
type blades gave the greatest forward thrust to the vehicle to which it was fitted. A difference
of about 23.74N thrust per bank between L and C blades was reported which was not worth
considering in view of the 30% power reduction in using C-blades.
Blight (1980) differentiated between energy required to rotate the cutting unit and the
total energy requirement, which included the energy needed to move the machine forward. On
the basis of input power, the C-shaped blade rotating in the forward direction was reported to
be the most economical.
Gupta and Pandey (1991) evaluated two types of rotary tiller blades, one with a spiral
cutting edge and another with a straight cutting edge, in a soilbin. The study was conducted at
four different rotary speeds with two modes of operation. The linear speed and working depth
were kept constant at 1.33 km/h and 100 mm respectively. The study revealed that the blade
with spiral cutting edge gave about 9.13 percent higher performance index than blade with
straight edge under wetland conditions.
A computer program to design and display selective passive tool shapes was
developed by Ros et al (1995). The tool surface was represented by a multiplicity of
quadrilateral face limited by user selected bounding curves. The (x, y, z) face coordinate were
generated by a FORTRAN program and read into Auto CAD using a Auto LIPS program.
The method permitted a complete study of the influence of the geometrical parameters upon
the final soil conditions and energy requirement, thus optimization of tillage process may be
possible.
Wear pattern of rotavator blades coated with different metal alloy powders such as
EWAC 1002 ET (Tungsten carbide), EWAC 1001 EB ( Nickel), FRIXTEC 19850 (bronze)
and lubrotech 19985 ( nickel, chromium and iron) was studied by Deshmukh and Singh
(2001). The study showed that cutting edge of L-shape rotavator blade section was most
susceptible to wear. Gravimetric and dimensional wear differed significantly with respect to
treatment, working period, width and thickness of the blades. The cost of treatment of
tungsten carbide base, bronze base, Lubrotec 19985, differential front hard surfacing and back
hard surfacing were 69.80, 97.33, 89.93, 90.50, 89.93 percent respectively more than the
untreated local blade.
Sharda (2001) conducted study on influence of selected parameters on performance

of rotary tillers under different field conditions to know the effect of rotor speed and two
13
types of blade shape (L & C) on soil pulverization and other parameters like draft, bulk
density, soil inversion and power requirement on different soil types. It was found that the
draft (negative) of blades namely L-shape and C-shape decreased (163 to 63 kgf) as the rotor
speed decreased (210 to 185 rpm) for which the shield kept in lowered (down) position. The
magnitude of draft corresponding to given field conditions was observed to be higher for
paddy-harvested fields (126 kgf) for L-shaped blades (119 kgf). It was observed that for a
given rotor speed C-shaped blades consumed 19 percent less power as compared to L-shaped
blades. Soil inversion and pulverization of C-shaped blade was also reported to be better than
L-shape blade.
Celik and Altikat (2008) Studied that the blades of a rotary tiller trace a trachoidal
path in the soil during tillage. This path is affected by both rotational and forward speeds. The
successive trochoidal paths of two blades cut the soil into slices. The size of soil slices
depends on the number of blades on one side of a flange, rotor radius, tractor forward speed,
rortor rotational speed and blade geometry. For a better understanding of the factors affecting
soil slice size, a program was written in the Lisp language for AutoCAD to draw blade paths
based on the number of blades on one side of a flange, the rotor radius, tractor forward speed,
and rotor rotational speed. Slice area on the drawn paths was calculated using the AREA
command of AutoCAD. Data showed that soil slice size increased as rotor radius and tractor
forward speed increased and the number of blades on one side of a flange decreased. As the
rotor rotational speed increased to 190 revolutions per min, the volume of soil slice increased
to a maximum. Then, as the speed increased further, the volume decreased. The number of
cuts of a soil slice increased as the number of blades on one side of a flange, the rotor
rotational speed increased. As the number of cuts of a slice increased, the size of each part
decreased and soil fragmentation increased.
Marenya and Plessis (2011) conducted field experiments in a sandy loam soil, using a
purpose-built down-cut deep tilling experimental rotavator, mounted on an instrumented tool-
frame carrier. The instrumentation of the tool-frame carrier allowed for the simultaneous
measurement of all the vital rotavator operational parameters required for evaluating its field
performance. The findings indicated that the magnitude and variations of the resultant
forward thrust force depended on the bite length, set tillage depth, and the kinematic
parameter. Compared to other operational parameters, the bite length had a greater effect on
the rotavator torque requirements.
A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of commonly used different type
of rotary blade shape in term of puddling quality and power requirement on selected soil by
Singh (2011). Experiments were conducted on two types of soil (sandy loam and sandy clay
loam) using three different blade shapes (J, C and L type) at three rotor speeds (245,253,280
14
rpm). It was found that puddling index was higher in J shape blade as compared to other two
blade shapes for both type of soil. Puddling index increases with increase in rotor speed. PTO
power requirement was minimum for J shape blade as compared to other two blade shapes in
both soil types. It was concluded that J shape blade at 280 rpm was the best combination for
puddling operation as it resulted in higher puddling index low infiltration rate, low PTO
power requirement and low fuel consumption as compared to C and L shaped blade.
2.7 Fuel consumption
Singh et al (1973) found that rotary blade puddler and rotavator performed better in
terms of energy requirements and overall economy as compared to cultivator and double cage
wheels. Rotavator gave better uniformity in puddling and cultivator gave more depth of
puddling. Number of operations required for preparation of land is minimum in the case of
rotavator.
Studies were conducted by Singh (1983) to assess the performance of commonly

available tractor operated implements. It was found that under wet land conditions,
percolation losses were 22% less in case of rotary puddler followed by tine cultivator and
cage wheel. It was also observed that rotary puddler performed better in terms of energy
requirement and fuel economy than other implements and also gave better uniformity of
puddling due to better churning of soil than cultivator.
Mahajan and Singh (1988) conducted study on field evaluation of different puddling
treatments. In this experiment fuel consumption was measured for different treatments. For
measuring fuel consumption tractor was parked on a level surface and was filled up to the
brim of fuel tank. After operation with a particular treatment tractor was brought back to the
level surface and fuel was refilled upto the brim with a measuring cylinder. Quantity of fuel
added was recorded, which is the quantity of fuel consumed.
Matthes et al (1988) instrumented a rubber-tired skidder to measure the fuel flow rate
and force in the line (magnitude and direction) during an actual skidding operation. The
parameters were displayed on an LED readout and recorded by a video camera on the skidder.
By using a digital timer and a stop-frame mechanism on the VCR, it was possible to analyze
the data at any time increment down to 1/25 of a second. The skidder was tested on a level
track at varying speeds and loads to determine the fuel consumption. It was determined that
the optimal strategy with regard to fuel efficiency would be to operate the skidder at the
fastest safe speed and to carry the maximum load for which the skidder is designed.
Singh and Singh (1993) conducted study on field evaluation of tractor drawn
rotavator for measuring the fuel consumption. The tank was filled to full capacity before and
after the test. Amount of refueling after the test is the fuel consumption for the test. While
15
filling up the tank careful attention was paid to keep the tank horizontal and not to leave
empty space in the tank. Fuel consumption observed in the experiment was 5.6 l/h.
Singh and Shukla (2001) conducted study on puddling performance evaluation of

rotary blade attachment of strip-till drill. Four treatments were used in the puddling
experiment. Tr (Rotavator x Once), Ts (Rotary Blade Attachment of Strip-Till Drill x Twice),
Tcs (Tine Cultivator x Once + Rotary Blade Attachment of Strip-Till Drill x Once) and Tc
(Control = Tine Cultivator x Twice + Planking x Once). For determining fuel consumption, as
prescribed in RNAM codes, tractor was parked on a level surface and fuel was filled upto
brink of tank. After completion of treatment, tractor was brought to the level surface and fuel
was filled with measuring cylinder upto the mark point. Quantity of fuel was measured as the
fuel consumed by particular operation of that treatment. While filling the tank, carefull
attention was paid to keep the tank horizontal to avoid air or empty space in the tank. Fuel
consumption was found to be minimum in treatment Tc (13.14 l/ha) followed by treatment Tr
(14.47 l/ha). Maximum fuel consumption was in treatment Ts (24.99 l/ha), followed by
treatment Tcs.
Grisso et al (2004) reported that reports from the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory
(NTTL) showed improved fuel efficiency during the past 20 years. A 4.8% decrease in
average annual specific volumetric fuel consumption for the data used in the ASAE Standards
was shown. Using fuel consumption and power data from the NTTL reports, new equations
for fuel consumption were established that predict fuel consumption for diesel engines during
full and partial loads and under conditions when engine speeds are reduced from full throttle.
It is clear from the review that rotavator has been reported as energy efficient and
time saving implement. Performance of the rotavator depends upon the bite size and soil flow
dynamics. These parameters are functions of shape and size of blades and rotor speed of the
rotavator. The study on these parameters in wet land conditions has been carried out by a
number of researchers. For good quality of tillage and mixing of crop mass/residue in the soil,
there is a need to identify a suitable blade shape to optimize the operational parameters like
forward speed of tractor and rotor speed of rotavotor for a particular operation.
16
CHAPTER III
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of blade shape and rotor speed
of rotavator on pulverization of soil and mixing of crop biomass at Research Farms of
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University
Ludhiana. This chapter deals with the materials and methods used in conducting this research,
which are being described and presented under following sub-heads.
3.1. Brief description of rotavators used for the study
3.2. Independent parameters
3.3. Dependent parameters
3.4. Layout of experimental plots
3.5. Methodology used for measurement of dependent parameters
3.6. Statistical analysis
3.1 Brief description of rotavators used for the study
Three type of rotavators having different types of rotavator blades i.e., L, C & J were
got fabricated from local market and were used for the study. The rotavators were fitted with
C-shape, L-shape and J-shape blades separately. The effective width of all the three rotavators
was 1700 mm and were fitted with multi-ratio gear box. John Deere – 5310 model tractor was
used to operate the rotavators. The brief specifications of all the three rotavators fitted with L,
C and J shape blades are given in Table 3.1 and their stationary view in Fig. 3.1.
Table 3.1 Specifications of rotavators
Blade Type
SN Specification
L C J
1. No. of flanges 7 7 10
2. No. of blades/ flanges 6 6 6
3. Total no. of blades 42 42 60
4. Working rotor width (mm) 1700
5. Provision of power to rotor From one side only
6. Type of gear box Multiple speed
7. Position of disc/coulter Provided, right side only
17
a. L shape blade
b. C shape blade
c. J shape blade
Fig. 3.1 Stationary view of rotavators fitted with different types of blade shape
18
3.2 Independent parameters
Type of soil, speed of rotor and shape of the blade effects the performance of
rotavator. So, field performance evaluation of available indigenous designs of rotavators,
having different types of blade shape was carried out on two different types of soil at different
rotor speed to find the effect on tillage and mixing index. The independent parameters
selected for the study and their levels are given in Table 3.2 and are discussed as below.
Table 3.2 Level of independent parameters
Independent Parameters
SN
Parameters Level Remarks
Sandy loam, Silty clay

1. Soil type (S) 2
loam
2. Blade shape (B) 3 L,C and J shape
3. Rotor speed (N) 3 180, 215 and 250 rpm
One pass
4. Control Disc harrow and cultivator
each
3.2.1 Soil type
In order to study the extent of pulverization and mixing by a rotavator in a particular

soil, experiments were conducted on two soil types (light and heavy soil). The first type of
soil was sandy loam, S1(containing sand 75.5%, silt 12.4% and clay 12.1%) and the second
type of soil was silty clay loam, S2(containing sand 24.2%, silt 34.8% and clay 41%). These
soil types broadly represent the type of soil available in Punjab state. The analysis of
constituents of soil was got done from Department of Soil, Punjab Agricultural University,
Ludhiana.
3.2.2 Blade shape
Three different types of blade shapes i.e L, C and J shape blades are commercially
available in the market. In India L shape blade is widely used on rotavators without any
standard recommendation. To find the best operational blade shape for tillage and green
manuring, the three available shapes of blades were selected for the study. These blades were
mounted on the fixed flanges on the horizontal rotor of rotavators. Detailed drawings of these
blades i.e L, C and J are shown in the Fig. 3.2.
19
a. L shape blade
b. C shape blade
c. J shape blade
Fig. 3.2 Front and side view of three types of blades used in the study
20
3.2.3 Rotor speed
In general, for rotary tillage, the rotor speed varies from 180 to 220 rpm, but it has
been found that there is a vide variations in the rotor speed of rotavators being manufactured
in India. It was expected that the extent of pulverization and mixing vis a vis power
requirement changes with change in rotor rpm of the rotavator. So, three levels of rotor speed
i.e., 180, 215 and 250 rpm were considered for the study. These three speeds were achieved
with the help of a multi-speed gearbox fitted on the rotavator.
The engine rpm of tractor was set at 2400 rpm and gear ratio of rotavator was
changed by changing the gears provided in the multi-speed gearbox (Fig. 3.3). Gears having
16, 17, 18 and 19 teeths were used for this purpose to achieve the sum of teeths of any pair
should be 35, to fit on the distance available on two shafts provided in the gear box. Gear
matching of teeths 16:19, 18:17 and 19:16 helped in achieving the desired rotor speeds. To
achieve the rotor speed of 180 rpm, 215 and 250 rpm, the gear ratio selected is shown in
Table 3.3 and a view of adjustment of rotor speed is shown in Fig. 3.3
Table 3.3 Gear ratio for selected speeds
Adjustment Gear Ratio Rotor Speed

(rpm)
1st 16:19 180
2nd 18:17 215
3rd 19:16 250
Fig. 3.3 A view of adjustment of rotor speed by changing gear ratio
21
Different combinations of various independent parameters were taken up to study the
effect of pulverization and mixing quality based upon dependent parameters. For each soil
type there were ten treatments with combination of three independent parameters. Each
treatment was replicated thrice.
3.2.4 Control
Disc harrow and spring tyne cultivator was used as control treatment. Disc harrow
was used for tillage purpose followed by single pass of cultivator. Fuel consumption (l/h) for
conventional method was measured and was corrected based on the width of rotavator. As the
conventional method of mixing of crop mass into the soil requires a number of operations of
disking so no control was taken in mixing operation.
3.3 Dependent parameters
In order to find out the effect of independent parameters on quality of seed bed
prepared and mixing of green manure in soil during rotary tillage, factors like how much is
the change in soil clod size or mean mass diameter of soil particles which is a measure of
pulverization quality, incorporation of green manure (dhencha crop) in soil was measured and
computed on the following dependent parameters:
 Pulverization index
 Mixing index
 Reduction in bulk density
 Fuel consumption.
3.4 Layout of experimental plots
To measure pulverization and mixing performance, each treatment was replicated
three times and experiment was laid out in random. The experiment was conducted in two
separate fields in two types of soils. Each field was divided in to 30 equal plots having
dimensions 2.5 X 20 m. After conducting the experimentation of tillage quality, dhencha crop
was sown in these fields for conducting experiments for mixing in the field to find out the
mixing index. Nine plots were randomly selected for evaluating the pulverization and mixing
performance of L-shape, C-shape and J-shape rotavator blades respectively in each soil type
at three different rotor speeds. Three plots were used as control treatment in both the soils.
The layout plan for a particular field is shown in Fig. 3.4
3.5 Methodology used for measurement of dependent parameters
After marking the plots for experiment, nine plots each were tilled by each blade
shape (L, C and J) attached to three different rotavators. Rotavator was operated at constant
depth by John Deere – 5310 tractor attached to the PTO shaft at rotor rpm of 180, 215 and
250 rpm respectively in each of the three plots for each blade shape in both the soils. Control
treatment was performed using disc harrow and cultivator. Similar methodology was used for
conducting mixing of crop mass experiments.
22
Fig. 3.4 Field layout for both types of soil S1 and S2
23
3.5.1 Pulverization index (PI)
The soil breaks into small aggregates resulting from the action of tillage forces. The
mean mass diameter (MMD) of the soil aggregated considered as index of soil pulverization.
The amount of soil pulverization (Pulverization Index) was measured by determining

the mean mass diameter of soil clod (MMD) by using sieve analysis method. Sieves of
appropriate mesh sizes were selected to carry out the sieve analysis to assess the degree of
pulverization. During experiment, sieve set containing 18 sieves in the range of 75 - 0.425
mm and pan were used. The field strip was ploughed for single pass of rotavator (Fig. 3.5).
After each single treatment, three samples of treated soil were collected from three different
locations randomly within the treatment area, using soil sampler (length 150 mm, width 150
mm and height 100 mm).The sample of soil was first dried for 24 hours and then passed
through the set of sieves and soil mass retained on each sieve was weighed and was calculated
as:
𝑛
1
𝑀𝑀𝐷, 𝑚𝑚 = ∑ 𝑑𝑖 𝑋𝑖
𝑊𝑇
𝑖=0
Where,
𝑑𝑖 = Average diameter of i & (i+1)th sieve and 𝑑𝑖 <𝑑𝑖+1 , mm
Wi = Mass of soil retained on the ith sieve, g
WT = Total mass of soil sample, g ; where, 𝑊𝑇 = ∑𝑛𝑖=0 𝑊𝑖
Fig. 3.5 A view of rotavator preparing seed bed
24
3.5.2 Mixing index (MI)
The process of incorporation of crop-mass/green manures into the soil is called as

mixing operation. The measure of the extent of mixing of the crop-mass in the soil is called as
mixing index. It is the percentage of crop-mass incorporated in the soil.
Dhencha is one of the main crop that is used for green manuring. Square meter was
used to measure the crop intensity in terms of weight. Before rotavator operation, the crop
standing inside the square meter area was cut from the bottom and weighed. The rotavator
was operated in the standing crop to mix/incorporate it in to the soil. A view of rotavator in
operation for mixing of dhencha crop is shown in Fig. 3.6. After rotavator operation, again
square meter was placed randomly on the operated field, and the pieces of the crop which
were exposed to 1/3rd of their length or more was collected and weighed.The mixing index in
percentage was calculated as follow
(𝑊𝑡 − 𝑊𝑒 )
𝑀𝑖𝑥𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥, MI = × 100
𝑊𝑡
Where,
Wt = Total weight of crop before operation in 1m2 area, and
We = Weight of exposed pieces of crop mass in 1m2area after operation
Fig. 3.6 A view of mixing of green manure
25
3.5.3 Reduction in bulk density (BD)
Bulk density of soil is defined as the mass after oven drying of soil per unit volume.
Reduction in bulk density is the difference between the bulk density before operation to the
bulk density after operation of rotavators.
Bulk density of soil was measured using standard core cutter method. A core sampler
of known volume (d= 5.1 cm and h= 8 cm) having bevelled edge at one side was used for
taking soil sample from the field before and after the rotavator operation for pulverization as
well as for mixing operation experiments for determining the bulk density (Fig. 3.7). Soil
samples were taken from the field before and after the operation of rotavator. The samples
were oven dried at 70˚C for 8 hours and then air cooled for 15 min before re-weighing and
reduction in bulk density in percentage was calculated as follows:
𝜌𝑏 − 𝜌𝑎
𝑅𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, % = 𝑋100
𝜌𝑏
Where,
𝜌𝑏 = bulk density before operation, and
𝜌𝑎 =bulk density after operation
Fig. 3.7 A view of collecting sample for bulk density
26
3.5.4 Fuel consumption (FC)
Fuel consumption is the measure of amount of fuel consumed by the tractor during
field operations. The fuel consumption will give an idea of energy requirement by the
implement for the operation.
A fuel flow meter of least count 1 ml was installed in the fuel line of the tractor for
measuring the fuel consumption of the tractor for various experiments (Fig. 3.8). The
rotavator was operated in the field and the rate of fuel consumption was calculated in l/h
using the formula.
Fig. 3.8 A view of taking reading for calculation of fuel consumption
3.6. Statistical analysis
For conducting the study there were 90 experiments containing thirty treatments with
three replications (10 treatments for each soil) comprised of different combinations of
independent parameters (soil type, blade shape and rotor speed), which were performed in
randomised plot designed. Each replication for every treatment was carried out in a separate
plot. The result for each dependent parameter (pulverization index, mixing index, reduction in
bulk density and fuel consumption) with replications was analyzed using “CPCS 1” software.
27
Software gave the mean values of dependent parameters and probability (p) values of
different treatments. The probability (p) values were checked for its significance (α) at 5%
level (If P ≤ α then results were significant, whereas If p > α results were non-significant).
Software formed the ANOVA (Analysis of variance) table for comparison of different
treatments and their interaction.
28
CHAPTER IV
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter deals in the effect of blade shape and rotor speed of rotavator for seed
bed preparation (in terms of pulverization index, percent reduction in bulk density and fuel
consumption) and mixing of crop bio-mass (in terms of mixing index, percent reduction in
bulk density and fuel consumption) in two types of soil. Results of the study are presented and
discussed under the following heads.
4.1 Effect of operational parameters for seed bed preparation in soil S1
4.1.1 Pulverization index
The results of the experiments conducted on the rotavator for pulverization of soil
have been given in Table 4.1 and Fig 4.1. These results represent the effect of different types
of blade shape and rotor speed of rotavator on the quality of pulverization in terms of
pulverization index which is based on mean mass diameter (MMD) of soil clods determined
by sieve analysis of soil. Smaller the clod size (MMD) represents higher degree of
pulverization. At a particular rotor speed of rotavator, the average pulverization index
( MMD) was lower in case of J shape blade (3.26 mm) followed by C (3.77 mm) and L (4.13
mm) shape blade respectively, whereas it was higher for control treatment (Table 4.1 and
Table 4.2). This was due to the fact that when rotavator blade cuts the soil slice it takes the
soil slice back along with its movement and throws it on the shield of the rotavator which
breaks the soil clod further in to small pieces resulting in pulverization of soil. J shape blade
cut smaller byte length of soil slice followed by C and L shape blades resulting in smaller
MMD of soil clod. It is clear from Table 4.1, that rotavator, irrespective of blade shape gave
high degree of pulverization as compared to control treatment.
The pulverization index decreased with increase in the rotor speed for all types of
blade shape (Table 4.1). This was due to the fact that for the same forward speed, as rotor
speed is increased, the byte length of cut soil decreases, which resulted in better pulverization
of soil. The lowest pulverization index was observed for J shaped blade at 250 rpm (3.06 mm)
followed by C shape blade (3.14 mm) and L shape blade (3.60 mm) respectively. The
pulverization index was high for L shape blade (4.39 mm) at 180 rotor rpm, except control
treatment (5.71 mm)
The effect of blade shape and rotor speed of the rotavator had a statistical significant
effect on pulverization index at 5% level of confidence interval (CD=0.229), whereas the
effect of interaction was found non-significant (Table 4.2).
29
Table 4.1 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on pulverization index for soil S1
Rotor speed Pulverization index (mm)

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 4.42 4.50 4.25 4.39
180 C 4.09 4.11 4.22 4.14
J 3.86 3.49 4.20 3.85
L 4.22 4.27 4.00 4.16
215 C 4.12 3.75 3.75 3.87
J 3.17 3.12 3.57 3.29
L 3.78 3.11 3.90 3.60
C 3.19 3.10 3.13 3.14
250
J 3.07 2.90 3.20 3.06
Harrow +
Control 5.8 5.32 6.02 5.71
Cultivator
Blade shape
L C J
5
Pulverization index, mm
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig. 4.1 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on pulverization index (mm) for soil S1
30
Table 4.2 Analysis of variance for pulverization index for soil S1
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 4.05 3.72 3.40
Rotor speed N 4.13 3.77 3.26
ANOVA TABLE
C.V.
SOURCE d.f. M.S. F-Ratio CD (5%)
B 2 0.96 17.94 0.229
N 2 1.69 31.69 0.229
B*N 4 0.07 1.07 NS
Error 18 0.053 6.21
4.1.2 Percent reduction in bulk density
The dry bulk density of soil is inversely proportional to porosity i.e., higher the pore
spaces in soil lower is the value of bulk density. The mean of percent reduction in bulk
density was higher in case of L shape blade (24.89%) followed by C (23.68%) and J (22.79%)
shape blade respectively at all rotor speeds (Table 4.3 and Table 4.4). This was due to the
reason that the mean mass diameter of clod was higher for L shape blade than that of C and J
shape blade which resulted in higher porosity, thus more reduction in bulk density.
The percent reduction in bulk density decreased with increase in rotor speed for all
types of blade (Table 4.3 and Fig 4.2). This was due to the fact that as rotor speed increased, it
results in more number of cuts per unit length travelled by the rotavator at a fixed forward
speed. The highest percent reduction in bulk density was obtained using L shaped blade
(27.58%) at 180 rpm whereas the lowest percentage reduction in bulk density was
experienced in J shaped blade (20.70%) at 250 rpm. The percent reduction in bulk density for
control was high (23.4%) as compared to tillage with rotavators irrespective of blade shape
and rotor speed.
effect on bulk density at 5% level of confidence interval (CD=0.532), whereas the effect of
interaction was found non-significant (Table 4.4).
31
Table 4.3 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on percent reduction in bulk density
after pulverization operation for soil S1
Rotor speed Reduction in bulk density (%)

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 27.7 27.7 27.4 27.58
180 C 26.8 26.7 25.9 26.47
J 26.0 26.3 25.0 25.78
L 25.1 24.7 24.8 24.87
215 C 24.0 22.6 23.9 23.50
J 22.0 21.7 22.0 21.90
L 22.5 22.3 21.9 22.23
250 C 22.0 20.8 20.4 21.07
J 20.8 21.3 20.0 20.70
Control Harrow + Cultivator 23.9 21.61 24.67 23.4
Blade shape
L C J
Percent reduction in bulk density
30
25
20
15
10
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig. 4.2 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on percent reduction in bulk density
after pulverization for soil S1
32
Table 4.4 Analysis of variance for percent reduction in bulk density after pulverization
operation for soil S1
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 24.89 23.68 22.79
Rotor speed N 26.61 23.42 21.33
ANOVA TABLE
SOURCE d.f. M.S. F-Ratio CD (5%) C.V.
B 2 10.00 34.59 0.532
N 2 63.55 219.67 0.532
B*N 4 0.50 1.73 NS
Error 18 0.28 2.26
4.1.3 Fuel consumption
The effect of different types of blade shapes and rotor speeds of rotavator on fuel
consumption is shown in Table 4.5, Table 4.6 and Fig 4.3. Fuel consumption is directly
proportional to load coming on the tractor. Higher the torque requirement by tractor during
operation, higher will be the fuel consumption. Among the blades of rotavator irrespective of
rotor speed, the average fuel consumption was lower in case of C shape blade (8.90 l/h)
followed by L (10.14 l/h) and J shape blade (10.78 l/h) respectively. J shaped blade consumed
maximum fuel than other two blades shapes at all rotor speeds because the configuration of
blade has its effect on cutting of soil slices. J shaped blades is slightly larger in length as
compared to C and L shaped blade respectively. It is also due to the more number of blades
on rotor as compared to L and C shape blades. Control treatment consumed more fuel (9.48
l/h) as compared to rotavators because for control treatment disc harrow was operated once
followed by single pass of cultivator but for rotavator there was a single pass.
The fuel consumption increased with increase in the rotor speed for all shapes of
blades (Table 4.5 and Table 4.6). This was due to the fact that with increase in rotor speed,
higher power is required at PTO and hence more fuel is consumed. The highest fuel
consumption (12.45 l/h) was observed for J shaped blade at 250 rpm whereas lowest for C
shape blade at 180 rpm (7.92 l/h).
According to Table 4.6, the blade shape and rotor speed of the rotavator had a
significant effect on fuel consumption at 5% level of confidence interval (CD=0.53), whereas
the effect of interaction was found non-significant.
33
Table 4.5 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on fuel consumption (l/h) for
pulverization operation for soil S1
Rotor speed Fuel consumption (l/h)

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 9.15 9.07 8.90 9.04
C 8.34 7.80 7.61 7.92
180
J 9.44 9.84 9.12 9.47
L 9.99 9.75 9.97 9.90
C 9.10 8.90 9.00 9.00
215
J 11.40 10.43 9.40 10.41
L 11.21 11.69 11.54 11.48
C 10.86 8.89 9.62 9.79
250
J 12.66 11.92 12.78 12.45
Control Harrow+Cultivator 9.41 8.91 10.12 9.48
Blade shape
L C J
14
12
Fuel consumption, l/h
10
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig. 4.3 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on fuel consumption (l/h) for pulverization
34
Table 4.6 Analysis of variance for fuel consumption (l/h) for pulverization operation
for soil S1
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 10.14 8.90 10.78
Rotor speed N 8.80 9.77 11.24
ANOVA TABLE
C.V.
B 2 8.18 28.45 0.531
N 2 13.51 47.01 0.531
B*N 4 0.36 1.26 NS
Error 18 0.29 5.39
4.2 Effect of operational parameters on mixing of crop for soil S1
4.2.1 Mixing index
The effect of different types of blade shapes and rotor speeds of rotavator on the
quantity of incorporation of green manures (dhencha) in to the soil in terms of mixing index
is shown in Table 4.7, Table 4.8 and Fig 4.4. Mixing index is directly proportional to crop
load mixed into the soil. Higher the crop mass incorporated into the soil, higher will be the
mixing index. The average mixing index was higher in case of J shape blade (80.72%)
followed by C (79.60%) and L shape blade (72.56%) irrespective of rotor speed. It was found
that J shape blade has better incorporation of crop mass into soil at all the three rotor speeds.
It was also observed that at rotor speeds of 180 rpm and 215 rpm, the performance of
C shaped blade was slightly lower than J shape blade but at higher rotor speed (250 rpm) it
was close to J shaped blade. Low mixing by L shaped blade at higher speed was due to the
fact that L shaped blade showed signs of wrapping and drop the chopped pieces of crop on to
the surface of soil as it moves. Mixing index was maximum for C shaped blade (87.59%) at
250 rpm and minimum for L shaped blade (67.22%) at 180 rpm.
It is evident from Table 4.7, that mixing index increased with increase in rotor speed
for all three shapes of blade. Maximum incorporation of dhencha (82.39%) was obtained at
rotor speed of 250 rpm followed by 75.30% at 215 rpm rotor speed and was minimum
35
(67.95%) at 180 rpm. This was due to the fact that as rotor speed increased the byte length of
cut soil and chopped length of bio-mass decreased, which resulted in better mixing quality.
It is evident from Table 4.8, that effect of blade shape and rotor speed on mixing
quality was significant at 5% level of significance (CD=6.45). The interaction of blade shape
and rotor speed comes out to be non-significant at 5% level of confidence interval.
Table 4.7 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on mixing index (%) for soil S1
Rotor speed Mixing index (%)

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 66.09 68.81 66.75 67.22
C 76.86 75.66 67.85 73.46
180
J 76.06 77.28 76.22 76.52
L 71.53 68.22 70.50 70.08
C 77.70 73.70 81.83 77.75
215
J 80.49 79.03 79.72 79.75
L 81.30 82.64 77.20 80.38
C 86.90 88.19 87.69 87.59
250
J 86.32 84.12 87.22 85.89
Blade shape
90 L C J
85
80
Mixing index, %
75
70
65
60
55
50
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig. 4.4 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on mixing index (%) for soil S1
36
Table 4.8 Analysis of variance for mixing index in soil S1
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 72.56 79.60 80.72
Rotor speed N 72.40 75.86 84.62
ANOVA TABLE
B 2 176.00 27.64 2.498
N 2 357.19 56.09 2.498
B*N 4 6.05 0.95
Error 18 6.37 3.25
The effect of blade shape and rotor speed of rotavator on percent reduction in
bulk density is depicted in Table 4.9, Table 4.10 and Fig 4.5. The mean percent reduction in
bulk density was higher in case of J shaped blade (22.14%) followed by C (21.82%) and L
(20.36%) shape blade respectively, irrespective of rotor speed. It indicated that higher the
mixing of crop mass in soil higher will be the percentage reduction in bulk density after
incorporation of crop/pieces bio-mass. This was due to the reason that some of the soil mass
is replaced by the pieces/leaves of crop incorporated in the soil, thus resulting in increase in
change in bulk density.
Maximum reduction in bulk density of 23.83% was observed for incorporation by C

shape blade at 250 rpm followed by J and L shape blade respectively. Percent reduction in
bulk density of 18.07% was minimum for incorporation by L shape blade at 180 rpm (Table
4.9). This might be due to the reason that at higher speed mixing ability of L shape blade was
low as compared to other blade shapes.
The percent reduction in bulk density increased with increase in rotor speed for all
types of blade (Table 4.10). This was due to the fact that as rotor speed increased, it results in
more number of cuts per unit length, thus reducing the length of chopped pieces, resulting in
easy mixing in soil. It was also observed that at higher rotor speed (250 rpm) there was not
much difference between reduction in bulk density for C shaped blade (23.93%) and J
(23.83%) shaped blade (Table 4.9).
37
Table 4.9 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on percent reduction in bulk density for
mixing operation for soil S1

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 17.90 18.60 17.70 18.07
C 20.10 19.20 20.60 19.97
180
J 20.50 18.60 21.50 20.20
L 22.20 20.10 20.35 20.88
C 22.40 21.21 21.11 21.57
215
J 22.33 22.80 22.00 22.38
L 24.40 22.30 19.70 22.13
C 24.10 23.40 24.30 23.93
250
J 24.70 23.00 23.80 23.83
Blade shape
L C J
25
20
15
10
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed,rpm
Fig 4.5 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on percent reduction in bulk density for
38
Table 4.10 Analysis of variance for percent reduction in bulk density for mixing
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 20.36 21.82 22.14
Rotor speed N 19.41 21.61 23.30
ANOVA TABLE
C.V.
B 2 8.08 6.40 1.113
N 2 34.22 27.07 1.113
B*N 4 0.38 .30 NS
Error 18 1.26 5.24
consumption during mixing operation i.e., incorporation of dhencha is shown in Table 4.11,
Table 4.12 and Fig 4.6. Among the blades of rotavator, fuel consumption was lower in case of
C shape blades (10.28 l/h) followed by L shape (11.48 l/h) and J shape blade (12.03 l/h)
respectively, irrespective of rotor speed (Table 4.12). At a particular rotor speed of rotavator,
fuel consumption was lower in case of C shape blade followed by L and J shape blade. J
shape blade consumed maximum fuel than other two blade shapes at all rotor speeds because
of more number of blades on the same length of rotor than L and C shape blades.
The fuel consumption also increased with increase in the rotor speed for all types of
blades (Table 4.11 and Table 4.12). This was due to the fact that with increase in rotor speed,
higher power is required at PTO and more fuel is consumed. The highest fuel consumption
(13.05 l/h) was observed for J shaped blade at 250 rpm and lowest for C shape blade at 180
rpm (9.31 l/h).
Analysis of variance given in Table 4.12, depicted that the blade shape and rotor
speed of the rotavator had a significant effect on fuel consumption at 5% level of confidence
interval (CD=0.632), whereas the effect of interaction was found non-significant.
39
Table 4.11 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on fuel consumption (l/h) for mixing
Rotor speed Fuel consumption (l/h)

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 10.26 10.02 10.79 10.36
C 9.81 9.08 9.04 9.31

180
J 10.23 11.70 10.81 10.91
L 11.11 11.58 11.96 11.55
C 11.23 9.69 9.97 10.30

215
J 11.94 12.20 12.21 12.12
L 13.01 12.51 12.11 12.54
C 12.32 11.27 10.14 11.24

250
J 13.84 12.43 12.88 13.05
Blade shape
L C J
14
12
10
8
6
2
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig. 4.6 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on fuel consumption (l/h) for mixing
40
Table 4.12 Analysis of variance for fuel consumption (l/h) for mixing operation for
soil S1
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 11.48 10.28 12.03
Rotor speed N 10.19 11.32 12.28
ANOVA TABLE
B 2 7.16 17.52 0.633
N 2 9.81 23.99 0.633
B*N 4 0.02 .04 NS
Error 18 0.41 5.68
4.3 Effect of operational parameters for seed bed preparation in soil S2
4.3.1 Pulverization index
Effect of different types of blade shapes and rotor speeds of rotavator on the quality
of pulverization in terms of pulverization index which is based on mean mass diameter
(MMD) of soil clods determined by sieve analysis of soil is shown in Table 4.13, Table 4.14
and in Fig 4.7. Higher degree of pulverization is represented by small clod size (MMD) of
soils. The average pulverization index (MMD) was lower in case of J shape blades (10.15
mm) followed by C (11.21 mm) and L shape (11.99 mm) blade respectively irrespective of
rotor speed (Table 4.14), whereas it was higher for control treatment (15.36). J shape blade
cut smaller byte length of soil slice followed by C and L shape blades resulting in smaller
MMD of soil clod. This was due to the fact that when rotavator blade cuts the soil slice it
takes the soil slice back along with its movement and throws it on the shield of the rotavator
which breaks the soil clod further in to small pieces resulting in pulverization of soil. It is
clear from Table 4.13, that rotavator irrespective of blade shape gave high degree of
pulverization as compared to control treatment (i.e., harrow + cultivator).
With increase in the rotor speed of rotavators, pulverization index decreased for all
types of blade shapes (Table 4.13). This was due to the fact that for the same forward speed,
as rotor speed is increased, the byte length of cut soil decreases, which resulted in better
pulverization of soil. The lowest pulverization index was observed for 250 rpm (9.53 mm)
followed by 215 rpm (9.99 mm) and 180 rpm (13.81 mm) for all types of blade shape. The
41
pulverization index was highest for L shape blade (14.80 mm) at 180 rotor rpm (Table 4.14).
effect on pulverization index at 5% level of confidence interval (CD=0.932), whereas the
effect of interaction was found non-significant (Table 4.14).
Table 4.13 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on pulverization index for soil S2
Rotor speed Pulverization index (mm)

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 14.81 14.14 15.46 14.80
180 C 12.87 15.36 12.90 13.71
J 10.92 14.13 13.76 12.93
L 11.18 11.12 10.61 10.97
215 C 9.92 10.33 9.97 10.08
J 8.43 9.29 9.08 8.93
L 10.44 9.36 10.75 10.18
C 11.11 9.09 9.34 9.84
250
J 9.19 8.07 8.45 8.57
Harrow +
Control
Cultivator 16.91 13.56 15.61 15.36
Blade shape
16 L C J
14
Pulverization index, mm
12
10
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig. 4.7 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on pulverization index (%) for soil S2
42
Table 4.14 Analysis of variance for pulverization index for soil S2
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 11.99 11.21 10.15
Rotor speed N 13.81 9.99 9.53
ANOVA TABLE
C.V.
B 2 7.67 8.65 0.932
N 2 49.77 56.13 0.932
B*N 4 0.133 0.15 NS
Error 18 0.886 8.47
The dry bulk density of soil is inversely proportional to porosity i.e., higher the air-
filled spaces between the particles (pore spaces) of soil lower is the value of bulk density.
The mean percent reduction in bulk density was higher in case of L shape blade (24.48%)
followed by C (25.83%) and J (27.99%) shape blade respectively, irrespective of rotor speed
(Table 4.15 and Table4.16). This was due to the reason that the mean mass diameter of clod
was higher for L shape blade than that of C and J shape blade resulting in higher porosity,
thus higher reduction in bulk density.
The percent reduction in bulk density decreased with increase in rotor speed for all
types of blades (Table 4.15 and Fig 4.8). This was due to the reason that mean mass diameter
of soil clod decreased with increase in rotor speed. The highest percent reduction in bulk
density was obtained using L shaped blade (31.62%) at 180 rpm whereas the lowest
percentage reduction in bulk density was experienced in J shaped blade (20.67%) at 250 rpm.
Average percent reduction of 23.49% was experienced in case of control treatment.
43
after pulverization operation for soil S2
Rotor speed Blade shape Reduction in bulk density (%)
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 31.90 30.77 32.20 31.62
180 C 30.04 29.80 30.40 30.08
J 29.90 28.40 29.57 29.29
L 28.40 26.60 28.00 27.67
215 C 25.00 26.80 24.10 25.30
J 22.20 24.50 23.74 23.48
L 24.30 25.70 24.10 24.70
250 C 22.10 21.40 22.80 22.10
J 21.40 20.60 20.00 20.67
Blade shape
L C J
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed, speed
Fig. 4.8 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on percent reduction in bulk density after
44
Table 4.16 Analysis of variance for percent reduction in bulk density after pulverization
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 27.99 25.83 24.48
Rotor speed N 30.33 25.48 22.48
ANOVA TABLE
B 2 28.35 35.53 0.884
N 2 140.95 176.67 0.884
B*N 4 0.82 1.03 NS
Error 18 0.80 3.42
The average fuel consumption irrespective of rotor speed was lower in case of C
shape blades (8.95 l/h) followed by L (9.53 l/h) and J shape blade (11.24 l/h) respectively
(Table 4.17 and Table 4.18). J shaped blade consumed maximum fuel than other two types of
blade shape at all rotor speeds due to more number of blades on the same length of rotor. The
fuel consumption for control treatment was 9.07 l/h which was comparable with fuel
consumed by the rotavator at 180 rpm irrespective of blade shape. The control treatment
consists of one pass of disc harrow followed by one pass of cultivator (Table 4.17).
With increase in the rotor speed, the fuel consumption increased for a particular blade
shape (Table 4.17 and Fig 4.9). This was due to the fact that with increase in rotor speed,
higher power is required at PTO and more fuel is consumed. The higher fuel consumption
(12.03 l/h) was observed for J shape blade at 250 rpm whereas low for C shape blade at 180
rpm (7.63 l/h).
The effect of blade shape and rotor speed on fuel consumption of the rotavator was
significant at 5% level of confidence interval (CD=0.476), whereas the effect of their
45
Table 4.17 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on fuel consumption (l/h) for
Rotor speed Fuel Consumption (l/h)

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 8.43 8.65 7.91 8.33
C 7.50 7.78 7.61 7.63

180
J 10.23 10.11 9.89 10.07
L 9.66 9.02 9.97 9.55
C 9.31 9.11 9.00 9.14

215
J 11.25 12.15 11.40 11.60
L 10.15 10.41 11.54 10.70
C 10.73 9.94 9.62 10.10

250
J 11.47 12.85 11.78 12.03
Blade shape
14 L C J
12
10
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig. 4.9 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on fuel consumption (l/h) for
46
Table 4.18 Analysis of variance for fuel consumption (l/h) for pulverization operation in
soil S2
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 9.53 8.95 11.24
Rotor speed N 8.68 10.10 10.94
ANOVA TABLE
B 2 12.68 54.80 0.476
N 2 11.78 50.92 0.476
B*N 4 0.12 0.52 NS
Error 18 0.23 4.86
4.4 Effect of operational parameters on mixing of crop for soil S2
4.4.1 Mixing index
The effect of different types of blade shapes and rotor speeds of rotavator on the
quality of incorporation of green manures (dhencha) in to the soil in terms of mixing index is
shown in Table 4.19, Table 4.20 and Fig 4.10. Mixing index is directly proportional to crop
load mixed into the soil. Higher the crop incorporated into the soil, higher will be the mixing
index. The average mixing index was higher in case of J shape blade (91.43%) followed by C
(90.43%) and L shape blade (88.96%) irrespective of rotor speed (Table 4.20). It was evident
from the results that J shape blade has better incorporation of green manure in to soil at all the
three rotor speeds.
With increase in the rotor speed for all shapes of blades, the performance of mixing
increased (Table 4.19 and Fig 4.10). This was due to the fact that as rotor speed is increased
the byte length of cut soil and chopped length of bio-mass decreases, which resulted in better
mixing quality. The maximum mixing index (incorporation of dhencha) was observed for J
shape blade at 250 rpm (93.48%) followed by C shape (92.24%) and L shape blade (90.11%).
The lowest mixing index was observed for L shape blade at 180 rpm (87.07%) this might be
due to blade shape configuration.
It is evident from Table 4.20, that effect of blade shape and rotor speed on mixing
index was significant at 5% level of significance (CD=1.18). The interaction of blade shape
and rotor speed comes out to be non-significant at 5% level of confidence interval (Table
4.20).
47
Table 4.19 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on mixing index (%) for soil S2
Rotor speed Mixing index (%)

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 87.89 87.02 86.29 87.07
C 87.78 88.47 88.86 88.37

180
J 89.87 87.69 88.91 88.82
L 89.81 86.96 92.32 89.70
C 90.80 91.44 89.79 90.68

215
J 91.63 92.65 91.72 92.00
L 90.47 90.50 89.35 90.11
C 92.19 91.30 93.21 92.24

250
J 94.69 93.02 92.73 93.48
Blade shape
L C J
94
92
Mixing index, %
90
88
86
84
82
80
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig. 4.10 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on mixing index (%) for soil S2
48
Table 4.20 Analysis of variance for mixing index in soil S2
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 88.96 90.43 91.43
Rotor speed N 88.08 90.79 91.94
ANOVA TABLE
B 2 13.98 9.83 1.180
N 2 35.23 24.77 1.180
B*N 4 0.624 .44 NS
Error 18 1.422 1.32
The percent reduction in bulk density was highest in case of incorporation by

J shape blade followed by C shape and L shape blades (Table 4.21 and Fig 4.11). Higher the
mixing of crop in soil higher will be the percentage reduction in bulk density after
incorporation of crop bio-mass. This was due to the reason that some of the soil mass is
replaced by the crop pieces/leaves incorporated in the soil, thus resulting in increase in change
in bulk density. The mean percent reduction in bulk density was higher in case of J shape
blade (28.90 %) followed by C (28.00%) and L (26.84%) shape blade respectively (Table
4.22).
Maximum reduction in bulk density of 30.80% was observed for incorporation by J

shape blade at 250 rpm followed by C (30.53%) and L (28.33%) respectively. Percent
reduction in bulk density of 25.33 % was minimum for incorporation by L shape blade at 180
rpm (Table 4.21).
The percent reduction in bulk density increased with increase in rotor speed for all
types of blade (Table 4.22). This was due to the fact that as rotor speed increased, it results in
more number of cuts per unit length travelled by the rotavator at a fixed forward speed, thus
increasing the number of crop pieces incorporation into the soil. It was also observed that at
higher rotor speed (250 rpm), physically there was not much difference between percent
reduction in bulk density for C (30.53%) and J (30.80%) shape blade.
49
for mixing operation for soil S2

Blade shape
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 25.70 24.90 25.40 25.33
180 C 26.80 26.10 25.70 26.20
J 26.70 27.20 27.10 27.00
L 27.34 26.20 27.00 26.85
215 C 27.00 26.20 28.60 27.27
J 27.54 32.50 26.70 28.91
L 30.70 27.70 26.60 28.33
250 C 31.00 29.80 30.80 30.53
J 32.20 29.00 31.20 30.80
Blade shape
L C J
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig 4.11 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on percent reduction in bulk density for
50
Table 4.22 Analysis of variance for percent reduction in bulk density for mixing
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 26.84 28.00 28.90
Rotor speed N 26.18 27.67 29.88
ANOVA TABLE
C.V.
B 2 9.66 4.39 1.468
N 2 31.37 14.26 1.468
B*N 4 0.75 0.34 NS
Error 18 2.20 5.31
consumption during mixing operation i.e., incorporation of dhencha is shown in Table 4.23,
4.24 and Fig 4.12. Among the blades of rotavator, the average fuel consumption was lower in
case of C shape blades (10.30 l/h) followed by L (11.04 l/h) and J shape blade (12.03 l/h)
respectively irrespective of rotor speed. At a particular rotor speed of rotavator, fuel
consumption was lower in case of C shape blades followed by L and J shape blade. J shaped
blade consumed maximum fuel than other two blade shapes at all rotor speeds because of
more number of blades than to L and C shape blades.
The fuel consumption also increased with increase in the rotor speed for all types of
blades (Table 4.23). This was due to the fact that with increase in rotor speed, higher power is
required at PTO and more fuel is consumed. ). The maximum fuel consumption was observed
at 250 rpm (12.04 l/h) followed by 11.03 l/h at 215 rpm and minimum at 180 rpm (10.28 l/h).
The highest fuel consumption (13.11 l/h) was observed for J shaped blade at 250 rpm and
lowest for C shape blade at 180 rpm (9.52 l/h).
The blade shape and rotor speed of the rotavator had a significant effect on fuel
consumption at 5% level of confidence interval (CD=0.447), whereas the effect of interaction
was found non-significant. (Table 4.24)
51
Table 4.23 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on fuel consumption (l/h) for mixing
Rotor speed Blade shape Fuel Consumption (l/h)
(rpm) R1 R2 R3 Mean
L 10.01 10.27 10.41 10.23
180 C 9.41 9.53 9.61 9.52
J 10.88 11.23 11.22 11.11
L 10.23 11.64 11.07 10.98
215 C 10.01 10.22 10.57 10.27
J 11.48 11.88 12.20 11.85
L 11.64 12.46 11.67 11.92
250 C 11.20 11.30 10.81 11.10
J 14.01 12.28 13.05 13.11
Blade shape
L C J
14
12
10
0
180 215 250
Rotor speed, rpm
Fig. 4.12 Effect of blade shape and rotor speed on fuel consumption (l/h) for mixing
52
Table 4.24 Analysis of variance for fuel consumption (l/h) for mixing operation for
soil S2
FACTOR MEANS
Blade shape B 11.04 10.30 12.03
Rotor speed N 10.29 11.03 12.05
ANOVA TABLE
B 2 6.77 33.16 0.447
N 2 7.03 34.42 0.447
B*N 4 0.48 0.23 NS
Error 18 0.20 4.06
4.5 Suitable combination of operational parameters for better quality work
It is evident from the study that J shape blade performed well for obtaining small
mean mass diameter of soil clod (Pulverization index), higher mixing index in both types of
soils. However it consumes more fuel than L and C shape blade. Physically the performance
of C shape blade was also found comparable to J shape blade; however it was significantly
different at 5% level of significance. If the quality of tilth and mixing of crop is acceptable for
seed germination and bio mass, then C shape blade at 250 rpm can be used as it consumed
less fuel (14.4%) as compared to J shape blade.
53
CHAPTER V
SUMMARY
In India the current consumption of food grains is nearly about 197.9 kg per capita (Anon
2013) and it is estimated that the demand of food grains 10 years from now will rise
significantly. In order to cope up with the increasing demand of food grains, there is a great
need to provide farmers with suitable agricultural machinery/techniques and technologies as
per need of cropping system. Tillage is the most important operation for crop production. The
purpose of tillage is to create favourable environment conditions for seed placement and plant
growth. Tillage has always been one of the larger power consuming operations on a farm. A
considerable attention is being directed towards the potentialities of multi-powered tillage
tools like rotavators and powered spading machines. Rotavator is becoming very popular in
Punjab as it is replacing disc harrows and cultivators. There are about 6720 rotavators in
operation in Punjab (Anon 2011) and their number is increasing every year. Power
consumption of rotavator is high, even then it is considered to be time and energy efficient
equipment as it prepares seed bed in a single pass thus saves time, labor and fuel there by
reducing the cost of seed bed preparation. In India three types of blade shapes i.e L, C and J
type are available in the market and most of the rotavators in general have L shape blades.
Since the rotavators in India are being used for tillage, puddling and mixing of crop
residue/green manuring. So, for creating favourable conditions for crop growth selection of a
particular shape is of utmost importance to obtain quality work with lesser energy input. So, a
study was conducted to evaluate the performance of different types of rotary blade shapes in
terms of pulverization index, mixing quality and fuel consumption on selected soils and to
find out the best combination of blade shape and rotary speed of rotavator for seed bed
preparation and incorporation. The study was conducted in two soil types having different
composition of clay, silt and sand; S1 (Clay 12.1%, Silt 12.4% and Sand 75.5%) and S2 (Clay
41%, Silt 34.8% and Sand 24.2%) using three different blades shapes (L, C and J type) at
three levels of rotor speeds (180, 215 and 250 rpm). These treatment combinations were
compared with control. The field experiments were conducted at research farm of Department
of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Effect
of independent parameters was determined on four dependent parameters namely
pulverization index, mixing index, percent reduction in bulk density and fuel consumption.
Following conclusions were drawn on the basis of results of the study:
1. Minimum pulverization index (mean mass diameter of soil clod) of 3.06 mm and 8.57
mm was obtained with J shape blade at 250 rpm rotor speed for both soils S1 and S2
respectively.
54
2. Pulverization index was significantly higher in case of L shape blades followed by C
and J shape blades respectively for both types of soil.
3. Pulverization index decreased with increase in rotor speed and was minimum at rotor
speed of 250 rpm for all three types of blades in both soils.
4. J shape blades had minimum pulverization index at all rotor speeds in both types of
soil.
5. During pulverization operation minimum percent change in bulk density of 20.70 and
20.67 was obtained with J shape blade at 250 rpm rotor speed for both soils S1 and S2
respectively
6. Percent reduction in bulk density after pulverization operation was maximum for L
shape blades followed by C and J shape blades respectively for both type of soils.
7. After pulverization operation percent reduction in bulk density decreases with

increase in rotor speed and was minimum at 250 rpm for both types of soils.
8. Fuel consumption of 12.45 l/h and 12.03 l/h was observed for J shape blades at 250
rpm rotor speed for both soils S1 and S2 during pulverization operation.
9. During mixing operation maximum fuel consumption of 13.05 l/h and 13.11 l/h was
observed for J shape blades at 250 rpm rotor speed for both soils S1 and S2
10. The average fuel consumption was maximum for J shape blades followed by L and C
shape blades respectively for both pulverization and mixing in both soil types.
11. Fuel consumption increases with increase in rotor speed for all types of blade in both
soil types.
12. C shape blades have minimum fuel consumption as compared to other two blade
shapes for both types of soil for pulverization and mixing operation.
13. The mean percent reduction in bulk density was higher in case of J shape blade
(28.90 %) followed by C (28.00 %) and L (26.84) shape blade respectively
14. The percent reduction in bulk density increases with increase in rotor speed.
15. Dependent parameters were optimized on the basis of low pulverization index, high
mixing index, low percent reduction in bulk density and low fuel consumption.
16. J shape blade at 250 rpm rotor speed resulted in low pulverization index, low percent
reduction in bulk density, high mixing index as compared to C and L shape blades
and control treatment. However the fuel consumption in J (11.01/12.03 l/h) shape
blade was higher than that of C (8.90/10.26 l/h) shape blade for both the operations.
55
17. J shape blade at 250 rpm can be considered as the best combination for pulverization
and crop incorporation.
18. The quality of tillage obtained by J shape blade is better than C shape blade but C
shape blade consumes 14% less fuel than J shape blade for tillage operation. If the
quality of tillage required for proper germination is acceptable then C shape blade can
be considered.
56
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE WORK
Based upon the findings of the study, the following suggestions are given for future
work:
1. In the present study the wear characteristics of different blade shapes was not taken
into account. A study needs to be conducted to analyze the wear rate of different
blade shapes for pulverization, mixing and other operations.
2. Long term compaction studies need to be carried out on the use of different blades
shapes (i.e., L, C & J) to avoid creation of hard pan in sub soil surfaces
57
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CHAPTER I

A considerable attention is being directed towards the potentialities of multi-powered

2.2 Tillage equipment’s

2.3 Pulverization index

2.4 Mixing index

2.5 Energy and power requirement

2.6 Blade shape

ii. To control weeds and to remove unwanted plants.

Tillage operations for seedbed preparation are often classified as primary or

2.2 Tillage equipment’s

Number of passes required by a rotary cultivator for optimum puddling was

2.3 Pulverization index

2.4 Mixing index

2.5 Energy and power requirement

Beeny (1973) conducted field experiments to compare the performance of 2 sets of

Summer et al (1986) developed a method for estimating implement power

Tremblay et al (1994) conducted an experiment in which timothy and alfalfa were

Niyamapa et al (1994) conducted laboratory study to determine optimum parameters

Kosutic et al (1997) studied the optimal combination of working factors (working

Sharda (2001) conducted study on influence of selected parameters on performance

Souza et al (2001) conducted an experiment to find the power requirement for

Kheiralla et al (2004) collected information on power and energy requirements for

2.6 Blade shape

Sharda (2001) conducted study on influence of selected parameters on performance

2.7 Fuel consumption

Studies were conducted by Singh (1983) to assess the performance of commonly

Singh and Shukla (2001) conducted study on puddling performance evaluation of

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1. Brief description of rotavators used for the study

3.2. Independent parameters

3.3. Dependent parameters

3.4. Layout of experimental plots

3.5. Methodology used for measurement of dependent parameters

3.6. Statistical analysis

3.1 Brief description of rotavators used for the study

Table 3.1 Specifications of rotavators

Table 3.2 Level of independent parameters

Sandy loam, Silty clay

2. Blade shape (B) 3 L,C and J shape

3. Rotor speed (N) 3 180, 215 and 250 rpm

3.2.1 Soil type

In order to study the extent of pulverization and mixing by a rotavator in a particular

3.2.2 Blade shape

Table 3.3 Gear ratio for selected speeds

Adjustment Gear Ratio Rotor Speed

Fig. 3.3 A view of adjustment of rotor speed by changing gear ratio

The amount of soil pulverization (Pulverization Index) was measured by determining

𝑑𝑖 = Average diameter of i & (i+1)th sieve and 𝑑𝑖 <𝑑𝑖+1 , mm

Wi = Mass of soil retained on the ith sieve, g

WT = Total mass of soil sample, g ; where, 𝑊𝑇 = ∑𝑛𝑖=0 𝑊𝑖

Fig. 3.5 A view of rotavator preparing seed bed

The process of incorporation of crop-mass/green manures into the soil is called as

Wt = Total weight of crop before operation in 1m2 area, and

We = Weight of exposed pieces of crop mass in 1m2area after operation

Fig. 3.6 A view of mixing of green manure

𝜌𝑏 = bulk density before operation, and

𝜌𝑎 =bulk density after operation

Fig. 3.7 A view of collecting sample for bulk density

Fig. 3.8 A view of taking reading for calculation of fuel consumption

3.6. Statistical analysis

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Effect of operational parameters for seed bed preparation in soil S1