Effect of Ploughing Speed on Stress Development on the Steyr Tractor Lift System on Clay Loam Soil Of Bauchi-Nigeria in the Northern Guinea Savannah

Otmianowski, (1983) stated that all agricultural machines that work on the farm are exposed to the dynamic effect of undulating terrain as well as rolling friction on both loose soil and bed-like farmland. These and other factors all contribute to the development of stress on the agricultural machine elements which may either lead to breakdowns or failures of some parts. As part of an effort to investigate into the frequent failures of the Steyr tractor lift system, the effects of ploughing speed on the development of stress on the Steyr tractor lift system (stabilizers and brackets) on a clay loam soil of Bauchi-Nigeria in the Northern Guinea Savannah were investigated using quarter-bridge strain gauge circuit with temperature compensation. It was found that stress on these parts of the three-point linkage system increased with increase in speed of ploughing. The average stress values obtained were relatively higher when compared with the yield point stress (0.23kN/mm2) of bracket material. The use of a spring loaded ‘U’ bolt was found to reduce the stress.