Effect of Horizontal Plate Length on Working Resistance of Blade under Different Cutting Rake Angles

Working resistance of blades is influenced remarkably by cutting rake angle during soil cutting and bulldozing process. In order to further reduce the effect of the working resistance on soil cutting and bulldozing, the blades with horizontal plates in three different lengths were developed. Self-designed experiment system was used to carry out soil cutting and bulldozing. Twelve groups of soil cutting and bulldozing tests were completed with four different cutting rake angles under cutting depth of 90mm in grading soil. The results show that the blades with horizontal plates can reduce the working resistance when the cutting rake angle is greater than a certain valve. There is more significant effect on the working resistance when the soil cutting and bulldozing are under larger cutting rake angles, and it would be have adverse influence when the cutting rake angle is less than 45 degree. In addition, the length of the horizontal plate has an optimal value to minimize the working resistance under different cutting rake angles. Therefore, it is a feasible way to reduce the working resistance by designing the blades with horizontal plates for earthmoving machine under certain conditions.