• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.305-313
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to predict the fatigue life of a crank-type rotavator operated in domestic soil conditions using Recurdyn$^{(R)}$, a dynamic analysis program. Methods: Torque on the PTO shaft was measured using experiments conducted on the uplands and paddy fields in Korea. On the basis of the experimental and analytical results, the fatigue life of the crank-type rotavator was predicted by constructing an S-N curve according to the GL (Germanischer Lloyd Wind Energie GmbH) guideline. Results: The torques experienced by the PTO shaft in the paddy soil and the uplands were in the range of 472~797 N m and 313~430 N m, respectively, for every condition. In case of load condition, the peak torques (846 N m, 770 N m) were applied for severe conditions, resulting in a maximum (von Mises) stress of 75 MPa at the crank arm. The fatigue life of the crank-type rotavator was predicted to be 1,167 h that satisfies the target value of 1,110 h, by substituting the analysis results into an S-N curve of crank arm. Conclusions: The fatigue life of the crank-type rotavator was within the target life for the studied soil conditions; however, further field experiments for various soil conditions would be required to verify the prediction results.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.73-80
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare tillage and loads characteristics of three types of rotavators in farmland working condition of Korea. Methods: Tillage operations using three types of rotavators, i.e. rotary-type, crank-type and plow-type, were carried out in a dry field of Korea. The same prime mover tractor was used for driving three types of rotavators, and under several operational conditions, tillage characteristics such as actual working speed, rotavating depth, rotavating width, actual field capacity, flow of tilled soil, soil inversion ratio, and pulverizing ratio were measured. In addition, loads characteristics like torque and required power of Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft were calculated. Results: The average rotavating depth was smaller than the nominal value for all rotavators, and the difference was the greatest in the plow-type rotavator. Nevertheless, the plow-type rotavator showed the largest rotavating depth. The rotavating width was the same as the nominal value of all rotavators. The flow of tilled soil at the same operational conditions was the greatest in the plow-type rotavator and was the smallest in the rotary-type rotavator. In the most commonly used gear conditions of L2 and L3, the average soil pulverizing ratio was the greatest in the rotary-type rotavator, and followed by crank-type and plow-type rotavators in order. In the gear L2 and L3, the plow-type rotavator also had the lowest average soil inversion ratio while the rotary-type and crank-type rotavators had the same soil inversion ratio each other. The average torque and power of PTO shaft in the gear L2 and L3 were the highest in the plow-type rotavator. The load spectra of PTO shaft applying rain flow counting method and Smith-Waston-Topper equation to the measured torque showed that the modified torque amplitude was the greatest in the crank-type rotavator. This may come from the large torque fluctuation of crank-type rotavator during tillage operations. Conclusions: The three types of rotavators had different tillage and loads characteristics. The plow-type rotavator had the deepest rotavating depth, the smallest soil inversion ratio, the largest soil pulverizing ratio and required PTO power. Also, the crank-type rotavator showed a large torque fluctuation because of their unique operational mechanism. This study will help the farmers choose a suitable type of rotavator for effective tillage operations.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.140-147
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to understand the work performance of crank-type rotavators and compare them with those of rotary-type rotavators in Korean farmland conditions. Methods: Tillage operations were carried out using both rotavators with the same nominal rotavating width and rated power. During the operations, PTO speed and torque, actual work speed, and rotavating width and depth were measured. To evaluate work performance, pulverizing ratio, inversion ratio, and specific volumetric tilled soil were calculated and compared for each rotavator. Results: It is found that the crank-type rotavator has better specific volumetric tilled soil performance and deep tillage, while the pulverizing ratio is worse. Conclusions: Crank-type and rotary type rotavator have diffenent properties each other in several work performances. It's important, therefore, to choose a suitable type of rotavator that satisfy the farmer's requirements in accordance with the condition of field and the purpose of tillage operation.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.279-286
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• 2012

Purpose: This study has been conducted to investigate the applicability of motion analysis of tillage blade for estimation of tillage characteristics of crank-type and rotary-type rotavators. Methods: The interrelation between tillage traces from motion analysis and field test results including rotavating depth, pulverizing ratio and inversion ratio at the same work conditions were analyzed for both crank-type and rotary-type rotavators. The work conditions include working speed of prime mover tractor and PTO speed of rotavators. For the motion analysis, joint conditions of main connecting component were specified considering the actual working mechanism of rotavator. Results: There were important correlations for the trend between motion analysis and field test results. Conclusions: Although further study is needed for applying motion analysis to estimate the accurate tillage related parameters such as rotavating depth, the soil pulverizing ratio and inversion ratio, it could be used to compare the tillage characteristics of various rotavators quickly and simply.