Effect of Stone Impacts on Various Ground Engaging Tools (Flexible/Stiff Tines and Coulter): Part I

Analysis of the state of knowledge showed a gap in the description of tool–stone feedback. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate tool–stone interactions. Spherical-like silicate stones were hit by stiff and flexible tines with a duckfoot or a coulter. The tools worked with various parameters in the depth range of 0.05–0.10 m and a speed of 0.83–2.22 m·s(–1). The characteristics of stone movement were specific to the type of tool and were described by the Numerical Stone Movement Scale developed for the purpose of the research. After the impact with the stiff tine, the stones were thrown the greatest distance of 0.26–1.08 m, and these distances were strongly dependent on the working speed and slightly dependent on the working depth. Large vibrations of the flexible tine and the location of the contact point of the tine in relation to the centre of the stone thickness contributed to the random behaviour of stones that were slightly moved, rotated or displaced. The specific work required to remove the stone reflected the distance travelled by the stone as well as the specific force which largely contributed to increasing the differences in this work between both tines.