Performance modelling and optimization of disc angle and tractor speed for a disc ridger in loamy soil using RSM

Authors

  • David Amidu Wandusim Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Emmanuel Y H Bobobee Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Joseph Oppong Akowuah Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Eric Amoah Asante Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Michael Amponsah Ampomah Department of Agricultural Engineering, Tamale Technical University, Tamale, Ghana
  • Abebrese Kwabena Agyeman Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Philip Yaro Laari Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v15i1.82759

Keywords:

Disc angle, Tractor-speed requirement, Draught, Wheel-slip, Tillage, Loamy soil, Optimization

Abstract

Ridging has been identified as a mechanized substitute for flat-land form and mounding in the cultivation of root and tuber crops. Manual ridging imposes high drudgery, consumes time and limits production scale. Therefore, mechanized ridging is necessary to improve efficiency, reduce cost and enable large-scale production. In this study, performance modelling and operational optimization of disc angle and tractor speed for a double-row disc ridger were established using CCRD in RSM. Quadratic models generated by RSM were used to predict optimum draught, wheel-slip and fuel consumption while maximizing cutting-depth and cutting-width. The results show that the ridger achieved optimum performance at 42.50 disc angle and 7.5 km/h tractor speed with a constant tilt angle of 25°. The regression model predicted optimal fuel consumption of 8.13 l/ha, 7.8 kN draught force, 2.8% wheel-slip, 29 cm depth and 277 cm width of cut, at the predicted disc angle and speed. The optimization analysis suggests that an increased disc angle and speed resulted in increased draught, fuel consumption, wheel-slip and cutting width and depth. To maximize operating efficiency, it is advised that ridging operations at the study site be conducted at the designated optimal speed and disc angle.

Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 15(1): 62-69, June 2025

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Author Biographies

David Amidu Wandusim, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

 

 

Emmanuel Y H Bobobee, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

 

 

Joseph Oppong Akowuah, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

 

 

Eric Amoah Asante, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

 

 

Michael Amponsah Ampomah, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Tamale Technical University, Tamale, Ghana

 

 

Abebrese Kwabena Agyeman, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

 

 

Philip Yaro Laari, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

 

 

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Published

2025-07-08

How to Cite

Wandusim, D. A., Bobobee, E. Y. H., Akowuah, J. O., Asante, E. A., Ampomah, M. A., Agyeman, A. K., & Laari, P. Y. (2025). Performance modelling and optimization of disc angle and tractor speed for a disc ridger in loamy soil using RSM. International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology, 15(1), 62–69. https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v15i1.82759

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 David Amidu Wandusim, Emmanuel Y.H. Bobobee, Joseph Oppong Akowuah, Eric Amoah Asante, Michael Amponsah Ampomah, Abebrese Kwabena Agyeman, Philip Yaro Laari

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