• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.67-73
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• 2021

In this study, we installed forward and reverse rotation rotavators on a tractor to measure the load in the field and analyze the power consumed. The rotavator is attached to the rear of the tractor and transmits the power applied from the power take off (PTO) of the tractor to the rotating shaft of the rotavator, and it plows or reverses the soil according to the rotational direction of the rotating shaft. Depending on the rotational direction of the rotavator, the power consumed in the tractor engine and the power transmitted to the tractor axle and rotavator also vary, thus, research of load and power is an essential factor in designing the system. As a field test results, 84.1-93.5% power was consumed by the forward rotation rotavator, and 37.8-57.5% power was consumed by the reverse rotation rotavator. In addition, depending on the rotation direction of the rotavator, the power consumed by the tractor was in the order of PTO and axle. Based on the research results, development of reliable rotavator systems would be possible in the future research.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.38 no.2
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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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• v.40 no.4
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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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• v.37 no.3
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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 the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.92-99
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• 2021

The rotavator is attached to the three-point hitch at the rear of a tractor and uses the power take-off strength of the tractor to perform soil harrowing. During operation, the power transmitted to the gearbox of the rotavator varies with the soil characteristics and depth. These properties influence the reliability of the gearbox. In this study, actual load measurements and analyses were performed using a rotavator. In addition, the safety factor and fatigue life of the gearbox components were determined using the analysis results. Through analysis and tests, the contact pattern of the gear tooth surface was identified. The input power values of the gearbox were minimum and maximum at 54.5% and 84.5% of the tractor power, respectively. Based on the actual load analysis results, the strength and fatigue life of the gearbox components were satisfied. In addition, through the analysis and testing of the gear contact pattern, it was confirmed that a similar contact occurred. Through the analysis, the magnitude of the load acting on the tooth surface of the gear was confirmed.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 2001

The torque loads acting on the input shaft of the transmission and final driving shaft of the tractor having a cage wheel attached to the driving tries as a traction aid were measured during the rotavating operations in a poorly drained paddy field. Using the measured load data load spectra were constructed. Effects of the design parameters of the cage wheel on the load characteristics were also analyzed. The torque load exerted on the input shaft decreased as the diameter of the cage wheel increased and increased as the rotavator speed increased. The torque load exerted on the final driving shaft increased as the working speed of the tractor increased and decreased as the rotavator speed increased. The torque load on the final driving shaft with the cage wheel were greater than those without the cage wheel.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.45-53
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• 2017

Disc harrow-type composite working implements of tractors are able to work almost 15km/hr. Soil reversing and plowing of agricultural fields are thereby faster than the existing rotavator speed of 2.5 km/h. In Korea, its supply process is being delayed because of the traditional tillage method of rotavator plowing operations. To develop products suitable for the domestic environment, an analysis and inspection was performed on the products of advanced specifications. 3D modeling was performed on main parts and frames using 3D scanner.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 1993

Ridger and vinyl mulcher for 8-10 PS power tiller which were distributed at the rate of one out of 2.3 farm households in Korea, was developed to ease the labor shortage of tobacco production. Devices wheel shaft extension by 30cm at both sides improved the stability of straight drive and enabled to save required labor hours by 50% for ridging at sloping field. Screw type blades were attached on center drive rotavator shaft, gear set was deviled to reverse the rotavator, and it was good at need to adjust the width and height for ridge. As the results, required labor hours for ridging and vinyl mulching could be saved by 90% as compared to conventional manual method after cattle plowing, and by 50% as compared to conventional power tiller method.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.37 no.5
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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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.118-119
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• 2005