Effects of design and kinematic parameters of rotary cultivators on soil structure

In comparison with drawn implements, rotary cultivators are of particular interest in final seedbed preparation. In this paper, a quantitative basis for the description of soil structure created by rotary tillers is given. Undisturbed Ap horizon samples were collected, impregnated with polyester resin, sectioned by sawing and analysed by means of image analysis. Total porosity, area and size of pores are related to the design and kinematic parameters of the rotary cultivator, arising from an analysis based upon the location of instant centres of velocity. It is shown that using a rotary cultivator with a higher ratio of peripheral to forward velocity leads to a smaller total mean porosity which is more homogeneous.