Capacidade operacional e demanda de energia no manejo de vegetação espontânea com um rolo faca, operado em diferentes velocidades.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Fazenda Experimental Lageado, Botucatu, SP., to evaluate the effect of different operational speeds with a cutting roller, tractor-driven, in management of spontaneously established vegetation in an area formerly conventionally tilled and cultivated with corn. A randomized blocks experimental design with 4 replications, was used. Treatments consisted of travelspeeds, as follows: 2.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.0 and 6.3 km/h. Dry mass of vegetation present on the day of management (t/ha), drawbar-power demanded by the roller (kW), roller capacity (t/h), as well as specific energy consumption per area treated (kW.h/ha) and per amount of vegetative mass managed (kW.h/t), were evaluated. As to variables analysed, the treatments constituted 3 homogeneous groups: 6.3, 5.0 and 4.2, and 3.2 and 2.1 km/h. From the lowest speed up to the highest, a significant increase in both power demand at the drawbar and energy consumption occurred. However, there was also significant increase in roller capacity, while maintaining the quality of the operation.