A preliminary investigation into the draft of the plough

Abstract

The state of consolidation resulting from the nature and treatment of the previous crop has a most marked effect on the draft, causing variations from 107 to 580 lbs. in gross draft and from 68 to 483 lbs. in nett draft on a typical two-horse soil, the force exerted by each horse being about one hundredweight and a half.The relation between draft and depth of furrow is linear, the nett draft per square inch tending to increase in value with increasing depth, except when the previous crop was roots, when a decrease at depths greater than 6-8 ins. is noticeable.The relation between draft and width of furrow is linear, the nett draft per square inch in some cases showing an increase and in others a decrease with increasing width.