Information on effects of tillage sweep geometry and operation on soil
conditions, including soil surface elevation, is needed for effective
design, selection, and use of sweeps for row crop cultivation and rid
ge construction. The effects of sweep rake angle and of operation spee
d and depth on changes in soil microtopography were determined Changes
in microtopography due to observed soil aggregate movement were also
found A factorial arrangement of pairs of sweeps with three geometries
operated at three speeds (5, 7, and 9 km/h) and at two depths (50 and
100 mm) were used to form ridges in a field experiment. Soil shift, o
r lateral soil movement, and ridge height were affected by both tool o
perating speed and sweep rake angle. Faster speeds and steeper rake an
gles created larger ridges. Change in surface height, an indicator of
soil loosening, was significantly affected by tool depth and speed, bu
t not by sweep rake angle. Deeper operation created a higher soil surf
ace. The lateral movement of soil into the ridge was more closely rela
ted to vertical movement of soil on the tool than to lateral soil move
ment on the tool.