The Effects of Unsmoothed Surfaces on Soil Adhesion and Draft of Bulldozing Plates

In this study, a number of unsmoothed bulldozing plates were designed based on the unsmoothed surface morphology of the head of dung beetle, a typical soil animal. Draft of these plates varied with the design/distribution of the small convexes glued on the surfaces of the bulldozing plates, material of the small convexes, speed of cut, angle of cut, depth of cut and soil moisture contents. The draft decreased with the increase of soil moisture contents from 30. 38% (db) to 35. 50% (db). An average maximum reduction of 30% in draft was achieved while screening the plates. The results of the present study also indicated that Ultra High Molecular Weight-Polyethelyne (UHMW-PE) could reduce soil adhesion and draft considerably.