Compaction is a problem for farmers and
growers and has an impact on vehicles using fields and field tracks. This is
why modern farming techniques use set lanes through crops. Compaction in fields
is inevitable it can be managed but not eliminated. Compression affects soil structure and
fertility which is why it is essential to set and use specific lanes.
Controlling the use of large vehicles improves
planting, spraying, harvesting and minimises potential yield losses from
compaction. Surprisingly using specific lanes through crops means the compacted
soil under wheel tracks provides better flotation and improves traction for
vehicles when fields are wet.
The majority of tractors weigh less
than 10 tons per axle, but newer 4WD tractors can weigh almost as much as a
loaded combine. Field tracks have to
cope with these and larger heavier equipment such as combines, grain carts and
liquid manure tankers. These have enormous and axle loads and can be as high as
40 tons.
Total axle load, as well as
contact pressure between tyres and soil increases as tyre size increases. This
avoids large increases in contact pressure (pounds per square inch) by the tyre
on the soil surface. To improve tractor efficiency it is essential to use the
proper tyres and tyre inflation pressure. This can also reduce the force of the
compaction from the tyres.
