This study presents the design and optimization of a soil auger blade on clay and clay loam soil. The performance of the machine may be critically affected by its auger blade design. Large applications of soil auger planter are hole-boring for agricultural plantation crop seedlings of banana, mango, citrus, coconut, and even for bulb and mangrove seedling planting. It can be used also in preparing holes for fence and sign post and for deep root fertilization of existing plantation crops. An optimization of the auger blade design and its interrelationship on cutting speed and soil moisture on clay loam soils was done using Response Surface Method and Response Surface Regression of Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Fifteen (2-replications) experimental runs using Box and Behnken three level-incomplete factorial design were conducted to determine the effect of the lip rake angle (blade design parameter), cutting speed, and soil moisture in relation to the power, drilling rate, and depth of hole cut. Results showed that all treatment factors were found to have significant effects on drilling rate and depth of hole cut, except for power, where the cutting speed appeared to be insignificant. Among the three treatment factors soil moisture exhibited the most significant influence over the three responses. Optimum drilling condition was found and validated.
ISSN 0117-6293 (Print)
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