Assessment of draughtability of bullocks of Orissa in test track and field condition

Abstract

A comparative study was conducted to assess the draughtability of the local bullocks available in Orissa in test track and field condition in summer. The test track study was conducted with the help of CIAE loading car at draught equivalent to 10, 12 and 14% of bodyweight of the bullocks (620 kg). The field study was conducted with the help of MB plough and 6-disc harrow. The draught of the mould board plough was 61.4 kg that is equivalent to 9.9% of the body weight. Varying the gang angle, the draught of the harrow was 72.5 and 87 kg, which was equivalent to 11.69 and 14.03% of the body weight. Both the experiments were conducted between 7 to 11 AM. The bullocks could sustain draught equivalent to 10% of the bodyweight in summer for 4 h in the test track but not in the field. The bullocks could sustain 12% draught till 2 h in test track and field condition. However, the sustainability of 14% draught was for 2 hours in test track and 1 h in field. The power output in the field condition was lower than that in the test track. The average hourly power output was 0.445, 0.496 and 0.567 kW in test track at 10, 12, and 14% draught compared to 0.416, 0.460 and 0.515 kW in the field condition for the corresponding draught. The decrease of power output in field over test track condition was 6.52, 7.19 and 10.83 per cent at draught equivalent to 10, 12 and 14% of bodyweight respectively. The decrease was significant at 14% draught.