THE EFFECT OF ROTOTILLER EQUIPPED WITH SERRATED BLADES ON SOME SOIL PROPERTIES

Experiments were conducted in a silty clay soil to evaluate the performance of a rototiller equipped with new serrated blades. Tests were conducted at tractor forward speeds of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 km/h and rotational speeds of 180, 220 and 240 rpm. Soil physical characteristics through reduction in bulk density and cone index were assessed. Significant differences between simple and serrated blades were recorded on the measured properties. Study show that the rototiller with serrated blades in lower rotation and forward speeds result better cone index and bulk density than simple blades with higher speeds. The averages of cone index and bulk density in lowest speed (1 km/h and 180 rpm) were 28% and 7% less than the similar average in highest speed (2 km/h and 240 rpm), respectively. The rototiller consumed less PTO power under this serrated blades.