Stress Analysıs of Mouldboard Ploughs Using the Finite Element Method
Abstract views: 30
/ 
PDF downloads: 17
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15673835Keywords:
Plough, finite element method, dynamic loading, structural optimization, agricultural machineryAbstract
Mouldboard ploughs are fundamental implements in agricultural production and widely used in primary tillage. The share and mouldboard are designed to cut and invert soil, which subjects the plough to significant structural stresses, especially in components directly contacting the soil. In this study, the mechanical behavior of a five-bottom mouldboard plough during tillage was modeled and analyzed in three dimensions, considering both embedded and aboveground parts. The plough was precisely modeled in SolidWorks, and stress analysis was conducted using ANSYS Workbench with the finite element method (FEM). The analysis mesh consisted of 1,034.489 tetrahedral elements and 1,811.369 nodes, with three-point hitch connections fixed as boundary conditions. Draft forces up to 1131.4 N, obtained from manufacturer data, were applied to the share tips. Stress distributions under dynamic loading conditions were evaluated in detail. The analysis revealed that all plough components operated within the yield strength limits of their materials, maintaining structural integrity. The maximum equivalent (von Mises) stress occurred at the front hitch bracket (493.53 MPa), with safety factors across critical regions ranging from 1.67 to 34.89. Maximum displacement was 7.69 mm. Localized increases in stress intensity, particularly at connection points, were observed and thoroughly analyzed. Safety factors were determined for components both in and out of the soil, establishing the system’s overall reliability. These results highlight the practical value of advanced numerical simulations in optimizing the weight, safety, and performance of agricultural machinery by identifying critical stress regions and guiding design improvements.
References
Acar, A.İ., Öztürk, R., Güner, M., 2011. Tarım alet ve makineleri. Anadolu University Publications, Publication No: 2354, Eskişehir.
Akıncı, İ., 1994. Development of a computer-aided measurement system for determining tractor–agricultural machinery energy relationships and a study on defining basic operational data for mechanization planning. PhD. Thesis, Çukurova University, Institute of Science and Technology, Adana.
Arslan, S., 2006. An alternative method for reducing soil compaction: controlled traffic farming. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Journal of Science and Engineering, 9(1): 135–141.
Arvidsson, J., Keller, T., 2011. Comparing penetrometer and shear vane measurements with measured and predicted mouldboard plough draught in a range of Swedish soils. Soil and Tillage Research, 111(2): 219–223.
Azimi-Nejadian, H., Karparvarfard, S.H., Naderi-Boldaji, M., 2022. Weed seed burial as affected by mouldboard design parameters, ploughing depth and speed: dem simulations and experimental validation. Biosystems Engineering, 216: 79–92.
Azimi-Nejadian, H., Karparvarfard, S.H., Naderi-Boldaji, M., Rahmanian-Koushkaki, H., 2019. Combined finite element and statistical models for predicting force components on a cylindrical mouldboard plough. Biosystems Engineering, 186: 168–181.
Chaudhary, M.R., Garji, P.R., Prihar, S.S., Khera, R., 1985. Effect of deep tillage on soil physical properties and maize yields on coarse textured soils. Soil and Tillage Research, 6(1): 31–44.
Godwin, R.J., O’Dogherty, M.J., Saunders, C., Balafoutis, A.T., 2007. A force prediction model for mouldboard ploughs incorporating the effects of soil characteristic properties, plough geometric factors and ploughing speed. Biosystems Engineering, 97(1): 117–129.
Gupta, T., Chakraborty, T., Abdel-Rahman, K., Achmus, M., 2015. Large deformation finite element analysis of static cone penetration test. Indian Geotechnical Journal, 46(2): 115–123.
Gupta, T., Chakraborty, T., Abdel-Rahman, K., Achmus, M., 2016. Large deformation finite element analysis of vane shear tests. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 34(5): 1669–1676.
Kérényi, G., Illés, T., Jóri, I.J., Soós, S., 2002. Comparative analysis of reversible ploughs’ frames. ASAE Paper No. 02-3001, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI.
Kirişci, V., 1999. Plough pan and the use of subsoiler. Cine Agriculture Journal, 17: 18-20.
Kok, H., Taylor, R.K., Lamond, R.E., Kessen, S., 1996. Soil compaction problems and solutions. Retrieved from https://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/CRPSL2/AF115.pdf (Accessed: 10.02.2025)
Korucu, T., Kirişci, V., Selvi, K.Ç., 2003. Tractor and machinery use principles to reduce soil compaction. In 21st National Congress on Agricultural Mechanization, September 3–5, 2003, 172–178, Konya, Turkey.
Plouffe, C., Richard, M.J., Tessier, S., Laguë, C., 1999. Validations of moldboard plow simulations with fem on a clay soil. Transactions of the ASAE, 42(6): 1523–1529.
Tekeste, M.Z., Raper, R.L., Tollner, E.W., Way, T.R., 2007. Finite element analysis of cone penetration in soil for prediction of hardpan location. Transactions of the ASABE, 50(1): 23–31.
Tekeste, M.Z., Tollner, E.W., Raper, R.L., Way, T.R., Johnson, C.E., 2009. Non-linear finite element analysis of cone penetration in layered sandy loam soil considering precompression stress state. Journal of Terramechanics, 46(5): 229–239.
Ucgul, M., Fielke, J.M., Saunders, C., 2015. Defining the effect of sweep tillage tool cutting edge geometry on tillage forces using 3d discrete element modelling. Information Processing in Agriculture, 2(2): 130–141.
Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., 2020. Simulation of tillage forces and furrow profile during soil–mouldboard plough interaction using discrete element modelling. Biosystems Engineering, 190: 58–70.
Ucgul, M., Saunders, C., Fielke, J.M., 2017. Discrete element modelling of topsoil burial using a full-scale mouldboard plough under field conditions. Biosystems Engineering, 160: 140–153.
Upadhyaya, S.K., Williams, T.H., Kemble, L.J., Collins, N.E., 1984. Energy requirements for chiseling in coastal plain soils. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 27(6): 1643–1649.
Yalcin, H., & Cakir, E. (2006). Tillage effects and energy efficiencies of subsoiling and direct seeding in light soil on yield of second crop corn for silage in Western Turkey. Soil and Tillage Research, 90(1-2), 250-255.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The copyright of the published article belongs to its author.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The journal is licensed under a 