SOIL COMPACTION BY TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT TRAFFIC DURING SUGAR CANE HARVEST

Abstract

This work was carried out in sugar cane areas in the north of Villa Clara, belonging to Sugar mill “José María Pérez”, where the vertisols prevails, which has physical properties that favor soil compaction. The main objectives were to determine the effect over soil of the semitrailer traffic with high flotation tires and a tow RC 10 with high pressure tires. The method used for soil compaction assets was to determine soil strength with soil cone penetrometer and also the compaction index was calculated. The results showed, that traffic of the semitrailer originates an soil compaction increment of 1,54 % respect to harvesters traffic and the use of the dump semitrailer in the infield transport instead of tow RC 10 it means a reduction of the soil compaction of 48,6 %, or a decrease of the soil strength of 459 kPa.