Circuitous Pattern

Circuitous Pattern, 270 Turns
The circuitous pattern with 3/2-rad [270] turns is usually started at the center of a land when
plowing so that the turns will be on unplowed rather than plowed ground. As far as field
efficiency is concerned it is immaterial where the operation commence if one assumes that
turning on the plowed ground is asa fast as on unplowed ground is as fast as on unplowed
ground.
Fig. 1.13 shows the gwomwtry of a 3/2-rad [270] turn.
Time for a turn =
p
S c
w r
) 3 (
1
) 2 (
4
3
2
0
(
+ t
In this case S
p
is the speed of the outermost part of the width of action. It should be realized that
the average speed of the implement is less than S
p
. the pattern efficiency for the 3/2-rad [270]
turn pattern is given by Eq. 1.13.
0
42 . 13 2 r w L
L
PE
+
(1.13)
Obviously some additional time will be required to locate the position and length of the initial
back furrow. While these times are not include in Eq. 1.13, adequate time spent initially will
reduce the finishing time at the edges of the field. This pattern is a good plowing pattern to
alternate with the circuitous types that throw soil away from the center of the field.
Table 1.2 compares the plowing pattern efficiencies for a square field of 16 Ha [40 a] in area.
Patterns that require the least turning time exhibit higher field efficiencies. The alternation
pattern and the circuitous pattern with square corners are omitted as they do not apply to
moldboard plowing. The continuous pattern can be realized for moldboard plowing with a two-
way plow.
Tillage implements other than moldboard plows make good use of the continuous pattern if their
turning radii are no greater than the effective width of the implement. Good use is also made of
the rounded corner, circuitous pattern, as the extra pass problem occurring in plowing may be
replaced with diagonal finishing trips. With these implements the efficiency for the rounded
corner pattern can be greater than for plowing. The only wasted time is that spent finishing the
diagonals where previously processed ground is reworked. (Fig. 1.11.)
Row crops may be planted in any of the plowing patterns, but the continuous pattern is most used
because of the need to supply the planter at the headlands and because the rows are commonly
spaced from a boundary. If the rounded corner pattern is used for planting, the pattern efficiency
is 100%, but the missed crescent-shaped areas will reduce the effective area of the field.
Both row crop cultivation and harvesting patterns are dependent on the prior planting pattern.
The alternation patterns are possible only with tractor-mounted or self-propelled equipment and
continuous or headlands planting patterns. The alternation pattern efficiency can surpass other
types of headland patterns when the easier turn permitted by processing alternate sets of rows
results in less time for turning.
When the yield of a field is large, consideration for the problems in harvesting should override
planting pattern considerations. Ideally the harvesting pattern should be such that the first half of
the travel is away from the field gate and the last half toward the gate. Thus each binful or wagon
load is released at a point requiring the least field travel for transportation equipment.
One optimum harvesting pattern follows planting patterns that use headland. If the size of the
field and the crop yield are balanced, the harvester makes a whole number of rounds per
unloading and always empties a full load on the headland nearest the gate. Such ideal conditions
are rare.
For large fields, consideration should be given to dividing the fields into lands. For example, if
corn is yielding 8 t/ha [127 bu/a], a 4-row corn combine with a 1.6-t [63-bu] grain tank is filled
after only 500 m [1640 ft] of travel. Lands 250 m [820 ft] in length are needed. Fig. 1.14
illustrates the division of a field into lands of efficient length. The turn strips may be left open,
planted to an early maturing crop, or planted to dividing the fields into lands is to use larger
wagons and/or use extension sides on the grain tank.
The circuitous pattern with diagonal turn strips should not be overlooked as a possible planting
pattern for row crops because of its potential benefits for harvesting. After the diagonal turn
strips are harvested the field is opened to effective use of transport equipment. The harvesting
starts in the center of the field. The transport equipment is thus able to go to the center of the
field and proceed directly to a meet with with the harvester. Such a pattern eliminates traveling
around the field to the far side to pick up a load, which is a 1 in 4 chance if harvesting starts from
the boundary. Crops having high tonnage yields such as silage crops and sugar beets will profit
most from this pattern.
For solidly planted crops such as small grains and hay crops, the circuitous pattern with square
corners is worked from the outside in. the ability to keep the corners square is of prime
importance in keeping the pattern efficiency high; otherwise, the field will not finish out evenly
and extra time will be spent in processing the odd-shaped areas remaining.

Circuitous Pattern

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Circuitous Pattern, 270 Turns

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