Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of A Mechanical System For Reconstructing Soil On Surface Mined Land, John P. Fulton, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The existence of excessive soil compaction has hindered the surface mining industry from returning land to pre−mining productivity after reclamation, especially on prime farmland soils. Heavy earthmoving equipment used during reclamation tends to generate root−limiting bulk densities that adversely affect plant growth thereby decreasing yields. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate a mechanism, called the ‘Soil Regenerator,’ which reconstructs soil media at minimum bulk density during surface mine reclamation. The prototype soil forming mechanism was mounted on the front of a conventional bulldozer. Soil was placed in long narrow windrows by a scraper or bulldozer. As the …

Characterizing Soil Deformation By Direct Measurement Within The Profile, Randall K. Wood, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A unique feature of the University of Kentucky soil bin enables deformation to be characterized by studying a cross-sectional soil profile grid pattern. Modular sections of the bin are laterally removed to expose the cross-section after passes of a pneumatic tire.

The measured displacements of the grid points were converted to values of volumetric strain and then compared to soil density as measured by a dual probe gamma-ray density gauge following tests at various soil conditions. Final soil bulk density determinations using the two methods were not statistically different..