An experimental investigation into the force mechanics and resulting soil disturbance of mole ploughs

Abstract The magnitude of the forces on the foot and leg of a mole plough are presented for a wide range of soils together with the effects of the expander, sliding beam, forward speed and leg rake angle. The use of a shallower preliminary treatment prior to moling at the normal depth to minimize traction requirement is considered and a method of optimizing the working depth for the shallow treatment given. The use of wings to increase soil cracking is investigated. The nature of the soil disturbance is explained by reference to the type of soil failure which is controlled by implement geometry, depth of operation and soil condition.