SUBSOILER SHAPES FOR SITE-SPECIFIC TILLAGE

Abstract

Shanks designed to operate at a particular depth to disrupt compacted soil profiles may have excessive draftrequirements when operated at depths other than originally intended. This may be particularly true for curved shanks, whichare designed to operate at a specific depth where draft is minimized. The use of site-specific technology may require thatshanks operate at varying depths based on localized soil needs. Comparisons between an angled and a curved shank in twosoil bins showed that reduced draft requirements were found for the angled shank in a sandy loam soil with a trend towardreduced draft for the angled shank in the clay loam soil. Similar amounts of soil disruption were found for both shanks witha trend indicating greater disruption for the curved shank. Producers who conduct subsoiling at varying depths throughouttheir field may want to minimize draft force by using an angled shank, but should recognize that their soil may not be maximallydisrupted throughout the soil profile.