Prediction of soil reaction forces on a moldboard plow surface

Using mathematical models, approximate trajectories of soil furrow subslices were determined and the forces occurring on the moldboard surface were calculated. The various components of the normal force along the trajectory line of the middle section of the furrow slice were analysed in relation to the velocity of plowing operation and the curvature of the path. The soil reaction forces encountered by the share portion of the plow were also determined by a model which used the method of trial wedges to determine the angle of the failure surface with the horizontal. The sum of the calculated forces was compared with that obtained by actual plowing experiments performed in the laboratory.