Development of a Predictive Model for Tractive Force During Ploughing on a Loamy Sand Soil Using Curve Fitting Technique

A model was developed for the prediction of tractive forces on wheel tractors during ploughing on tilled loamy sand soils of the rainforest zone of Nigeria. The area of study covered, was 90 m by 90 m, which was sub-divided into three blocks of 90m by 27m and a further nine (9) strips of 90m by 2m with alleys of 3m. Randomized soil samples were collected using soil auger. A field moisture content of 25% was determined gravimetrically; and tyre parameters obtained through measurements and from tyre data books. The mobility number connected together with the measured tractor wheel variables of tyre width, diameter, and section height, tyre weight and deflection formed dimensionless term. The plots were ploughed, using trace tractor techniques pattern in randomized three replications at tractor forward speed of 2.5 m/s.