An experimental investigation into the deep loosening of soil by rigid tines

Abstract The performance of a range of rigid deep loosening tines is compared at different working depths. Each tine has a maximum useful working depth; below this depth soil compaction rather than loosening occurs and specific resistance increases. This depth is dependent upon tine geometry and soil conditions. Increases in soil disturbance, with lower specific resistances can be achieved by attaching wings or sweeps to the tines and through the use of shallow tines working ahead of the deep tines. The influence of wing geometry and position on their performance is discussed together with the influence of tine spacing on loosening at depth and on the smoothness of the soil surface.