Research Article

Design and Field Performance of Biomimetic Moldboard Plough for Three Soi Types

Authors: Mohamed H Dahab, Abden Eldi Salim, Moayed Mohamed Belel, Salih Fadl Elseid Hamad

DOI: 10.33425/2770-2928.1045

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Abstract

Biomimetics is the application of characteristics of living things to improve the engineering designs of machines. The present study was conducted in Elobied, North Kordofan State in three different locations of clay, gardud and sandy soils. The objectives of the research were to determine the geometrical structures on the body surface of mole cricket as a soil burrowing animal and to use these structures for biomimetic design of moldboard plough body. An experimental field work was conducted to investigate draft force, rear wheel slippage and fuel consumption, for conventional and biomimetic non-smooth moldboard body surfaces. Soil physical and mechanical properties were determined for the three soil types at 30 cm depth. The results showed that the non-smooth surface with convex domes reduced the draft force by 0.8 kN, 0.6 kN and 0.9 kN, the rear wheel slippage was reduced by 12.5 %, 3.8 % and 9.7 % and the fuel consumption rate was reduced by 9.3 L/ha, 6.7 L/ha and 10 L/ha in clay, gardud and sandy soils respectively, compared to the smooth surface. Statistical analysis showed highly significant differences at P < 0.01 between the two factors for the measured parameters. It was concluded that geometrical shape and characteristics of claws of soil digging animals may improve the design and performance of soil engaging tools at different soil types.

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