A rationale of broach-plow’s parameters of the ridge-stepped ploughing of slopes

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop an improved technology for ridge-stepped ploughing of slopes and plow, which protects the soil from water erosion, improves the accumulation and preservation of soil moisture. The paper proposes an effective method for ridge-stepped ploughing of slopes, including the alternation of layer’s incomplete rotation with its full rotation within its furrow by 1800 in combination with the band subsoil loosening. A technological model of a ridge-stepped ploughing with simultaneous subarable strip loosening was developed. The design of the developed plow for ridge-stepped ploughing is highlighted. During the study the followings were theoretically and experimentally established: with a longitudinal distance between the hulls of 50 cm, the required qualitative incomplete turnover of the layers with the lowest energy costs is provided with the following plow’s parameters of the odd hulls: plow length is 75 cm, plow width is 25 cm, stabilizing plate height is 15 cm, and the minimum distance from the ploughshare toe to the stabilizing plate is 25 cm.