Evaluation of the Changes in Dimensions of the Footprint of Agricultural Tires under Various Exploitation Conditions
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsAfter a detailed analysis of the article "Evaluation of the changes in dimensions of the footprint of agricultural tires under various exploitation conditions," this work significantly contributes to the understanding of the effects of agricultural tires on soil compaction, using advanced methodologies and rigorous analyses.
Key strengths of the work include:
1. The study employs robust statistical analysis methods, including Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the influence of different inflation pressures and vertical loads on the dimensions of agricultural tire footprints. The use of triple replication for each test strengthens the reliability of the data.
2. The study has a well-defined practical application, which is to minimize soil compaction in agricultural practices. This is relevant for the development of more sustainable agricultural techniques.
3. The implementation of 3D scanning techniques for measuring tire footprints is innovative and likely provides more accurate data on the footprint characteristics than more traditional methods.
Limitations of the article that should be discussed or refined by the authors:
1. Although laboratory tests provide control over variables, they may not fully capture the complexity of real field conditions. This can limit the applicability of the results to the natural environment.
2. The article is highly technical with many statistical data and analyses presented, which may be difficult to follow for readers who are not experts in the field. The complexity of the data and the way it is presented may obscure the practical implications of the results.
3. While the study addresses the immediate effect of different tire settings on soil compaction, it does not discuss the long-term implications of these interactions, which is crucial for practical recommendations in sustainable agriculture.
Improvements to the methodology of the article:
1. The article mentions that the tests were conducted with soil samples taken from an arable field classified as sandy clay, but does not provide sufficient details on how the soil was prepared for the tests or whether variations in soil composition could influence the results. Additional information on soil homogeneity, the compaction process before testing, and the maintenance of moisture conditions would be helpful.
2. Although the study specifies the vertical loads and inflation pressures used, it lacks justifications for the choice of these specific values. For example, it would be informative to explain why these load and pressure levels were considered representative of practical conditions or how they compare with common settings in agricultural use.
3. Additional information on the testing equipment, such as the model of the 3D scanner, technical specifications, and how it was calibrated, could help other researchers reproduce the study or assess the accuracy of the instruments used.
4. The article performs tests under static conditions, where the tire does not roll over the soil. Discussing how this might differ from tire behavior in dynamic conditions (actual movement over the field) and what the impacts of these differences on the results might be would help better understand the applicability of the results.
5. While the article mentions the use of statistical analysis software, more details on data processing methods, such as applied corrections, data transformations, or specific methods of regression analysis and their justifications, would enrich the methodological section.
Improvements in the Discussion:
- The discussion could be deepened by comparing the obtained results with those of previous studies, identifying similarities and discrepancies. This analysis helps to position the current study within a broader scientific context and may suggest reasons for possible differences.
- Emphasizing the practical implications of the results could add significant value to the article. For example, how the findings might influence sustainable agricultural practices or the design of new agricultural equipment to minimize soil compaction.
- Discussing the study's limitations transparently can help establish the reliability and authenticity of the work. This includes methodological limitations, data scope, or generalizations of the results.
- Proposing directions for future research based on observed results and limitations could be very useful. This could include testing different types of tires, varied soil conditions, or even the application of new measurement technologies.
- A discussion on the environmental impact of the tested practices, such as soil compaction on soil biodiversity and long-term sustainability, could be a valuable addition. This is becoming increasingly important in agricultural science literature.
- Considering the costs and benefits of the technologies or practices studied could provide an economic perspective that is often crucial for the adoption of new practices by farmers.
- Discussing how the results fit into or could be integrated into existing or new cropping systems. This could include integration with crop management practices, crop rotation, or waste management systems.
Recurring Errors:
- In some parts of the text, there may be terms or descriptions that are not clearly defined or that are used ambiguously. For example, the use of "laboratory conditions" could be specified with details about the controlled conditions to add more precision to the experimental method.
- The text may contain redundancies or unnecessary repetitions that do not contribute to clarity or the advancement of the argument. For example, repeating the methodology or results in different sections without adding new information.
- It is crucial to maintain consistency in the use of technical terms. Inconsistencies, such as switching between synonyms unnecessarily, can confuse the reader. It is important to check that terms like "vertical load" and "inflation pressure" are used consistently throughout the text.
- In some cases, the sentence structure can be complex or confusing, making it difficult to understand. Simplifying the syntax or breaking long sentences into smaller units can help with clarity.
- Descriptions of data or results should be precise and clear. Avoid ambiguities in statements like "the results suggest" without clearly specifying how the data support such suggestions.
- References and citations should be checked to ensure that they are correct and complete. Errors in citations can compromise the credibility of the study.
- The use of statistical terms must be precise. Verify that the interpretation and description of statistical tests are correct, such as the explanation of p-values, coefficients, and statistical significance.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you for the review and all comments and suggestions. Based on them we noticed the incorrect elements in our manuscript, then we know what should be corrected.
We want to give the answers for your comments:
comment:
Although laboratory tests provide control over variables, they may not fully capture the complexity of real field conditions. This can limit the applicability of the results to the natural environment.
answer:
We agree this comment. In our experiment we used the laboratory tests because it was the first stage of the research. Obtained results gave us some information about phenomena in the soil-tire system after the changes of operational parameters. In further research we plan the experiments in real conditions in the field. Then the comparisons of the results of two types of research will be conducted.
comment:
"The article is highly technical with many statistical data and analyses presented, which may be difficult to follow for readers who are not experts in the field. The complexity of the data and the way it is presented may obscure the practical implications of the results."
answer:
We accept this comment – at the corrections of the manuscript we simplified the descriptions of obtained results. Now, we hope they are easier to interpretation for readers who are not experts in this field.
comment:
While the study addresses the immediate effect of different tire settings on soil compaction, it does not discuss the long-term implications of these interactions, which is crucial for practical recommendations in sustainable agriculture.
answer:
This comment is so justified. In our experiment we focused on the changes following after acting of the wheel on the soil. However, in the further experiments we want to extend the range of research to other changes on the soil. For now, we can based on the references – they show that increase in the soil compaction can cause the increase in mechanical resistance for the plants roots, reducing of the soil pores and deterioration of permeability for the rainwater. In turn, these changes cause reducing of the yield in the case of the crop plants.
comment:
The article mentions that the tests were conducted with soil samples taken from an arable field classified as sandy clay, but does not provide sufficient details on how the soil was prepared for the tests or whether variations in soil composition could influence the results. Additional information on soil homogeneity, the compaction process before testing, and the maintenance of moisture conditions would be helpful.
answer:
The soil to the experiment was obtained from one arable field. As a first, the soil compaction in the field was measured. In a several repetitions the values in the range from 0.84 to 0.96 MPa and the arithmetic mean was 0.90 MPa. Then the soil moisture was measured – the mean was 24.9%. These means were used as a reference values in experiments in controlled conditions (in the laboratory). Each time after the filling of the case with the soil the compaction was measured. When the value of it was too low, the soil was compacted by the plate with loaded by the hydraulic jack. Otherwise, when the compaction was to high the soil was loosed by the spade. The soil moisture was also controlled – when it was too low, the soil was sprinkled, otherwise it was set aside to dry.
comment:
Although the study specifies the vertical loads and inflation pressures used, it lacks justifications for the choice of these specific values. For example, it would be informative to explain why these load and pressure levels were considered representative of practical conditions or how they compare with common settings in agricultural use.
answer:
The reference point for chosen values of the vertical load was the load index formulated by tires manufacturer. Both for bias-ply and radial tire it was determined as 145 which mean the load 2900 kg. First level of the vertical load in the experiment was equal 11.8 kN – after calculation to the mass it was 1200 kg - in turn it was about 40% of maximum vertical load. In practice it is lower limit of exploitation of the agricultural tires (when the lower loads are often used in exploitation, the farmer should buy the tires with lower load index). The second level of the vertical load was 19.8 kN which answers the mass of 2000 kg and it was about 70% of maximum load. In agricultural practice it is upper limit of the load recommended to the continuous operation of the tractor. Other (intermediate) levels of the vertical load will be the subject of further research. The selection of inflation pressures was realized based on recommendation of tires manufacturers. They determined maximum inflation pressures – for both tires it as equal 0.26 MPa but this value is not recommend to continuous operation (it is used just at the assembly of the tire on the rim). For this reason maximum value of the inflation pressure was determined as 0.24 MPa – this value sometimes is used to continuous work at very high vertical loads of the tractors – especially in the transport operations. Sometimes this high value of the pressure is used to the field operations by the farmers who don’t know the principles of inflation pressure selection. Lower level of inflation pressure (0.16 MPa) is often used to different operations realized by agricultural tractors – it is “universal” pressure both for transport and field operations. Especially it is used when the farmer doesn’t have the inflation pressure control system. This medium value of the inflation pressure can obtain low rolling resistance on the road and relatively good traction abilities in the field. The lowest level of inflation pressure (0.08 MPa) is recommended to the field operations because it ensure large area between the tire and soil – in turn, the compaction will be lower. However, low value of the inflation pressure is not recommend for the transport operations on the roads, because the rolling resistance will be too high. Moreover, in this case, faster tire wear is possible.
comment:
Additional information on the testing equipment, such as the model of the 3D scanner, technical specifications, and how it was calibrated, could help other researchers reproduce the study or assess the accuracy of the instruments used.
answer:
This comment is also justified. During the revision of the manuscript we wrote the details about the scanner and its use. It was calibrated for each 50 hours of work. The calibration was realized using special plate with calibration points.
comment:
The article performs tests under static conditions, where the tire does not roll over the soil. Discussing how this might differ from tire behavior in dynamic conditions (actual movement over the field) and what the impacts of these differences on the results might be would help better understand the applicability of the results.
answer:
As mentioned earlier, the presented research was only part of the planned series. The current article discusses the results under static conditions. However, in subsequent tests it is planned to apply torque and verify what happens at the contact between the wheel and the ground.
comment:
While the article mentions the use of statistical analysis software, more details on data processing methods, such as applied corrections, data transformations, or specific methods of regression analysis and their justifications, would enrich the methodological section.
answer:
The data were obtained from the repetitions (3 repetitions each time) – from them the arithmetic means and standard deviations were calculated (for each combination of the factors and for each tire separately). Before performing the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the conditions of its applicability were checked - first, the Shapiro-Wilk test was performed to verify the normality of the distributions. Then, a homogeneity of variance test (Levene test) was performed. Due to the fact that the distributions were normal and the variances were homogeneous, there was no need to transform the data. The analysis of variance was performed separately for each tire using the Statistica 13.0 program. Post-hoc tests were performed using the least significant difference (Fisher's NIR) test. Regression equations describing the relationship between tire inflation pressure and the geometric parameters of the impression were developed using the least squares method. Of course, we completed all this information in the post-review article.
comment:
The discussion could be deepened by comparing the obtained results with those of previous studies, identifying similarities and discrepancies. This analysis helps to position the current study within a broader scientific context and may suggest reasons for possible differences.
answer:
As suggested, we expanded the discussion sections by adding direct comparisons with other results and our own results obtained in previous publications.
comment:
Emphasizing the practical implications of the results could add significant value to the article. For example, how the findings might influence sustainable agricultural practices or the design of new agricultural equipment to minimize soil compaction.
answer:
We confirm that the practical aspect is needed in addition to the scientific aspect. In the case of analyzing the impact of wheels on the soil, the main practical aspect is the necessary to reduce compaction by indicating such factor values that result in the greatest width of the rut length and the largest contact area of the wheels with the ground. This results in the least deep impact of the wheels on the soil, and as a result, better soil aeration, better moisture conditions and lower mechanical resistance to the roots of the plants. It means that properly selected tire operating conditions can give higher yields and lower energy consumption by agricultural equipment.
comment:
Discussing the study's limitations transparently can help establish the reliability and authenticity of the work. This includes methodological limitations, data scope, or generalizations of the results.
answer:
We indicated the limitations in the text of the article after the review - the main limitations include the range of pressures at which the tests were carried out and the range of vertical loads. Moreover, the results obtained in real conditions (in the field) with the same operating parameters could differ due to the prior preparation of the soil for tests in laboratory conditions.
comment:
Proposing directions for future research based on observed results and limitations could be very useful. This could include testing different types of tires, varied soil conditions, or even the application of new measurement technologies.
answer:
In accordance with what was written in the previous comments, it is planned to continue the experiment - first, it is planned to test other tires in laboratory conditions, and then - to verify the results obtained in field conditions.
comment:
A discussion on the environmental impact of the tested practices, such as soil compaction on soil biodiversity and long-term sustainability, could be a valuable addition. This is becoming increasingly important in agricultural science literature.
answer:
It is true that we did not examine such far-reaching phenomena in the experiment, but we consider the observation to be justified. It is known from other studies that soil compaction negatively affects water and air conditions in the soil, which in turn negatively affects yields. These issues will be the subject of further research.
comment:
Considering the costs and benefits of the technologies or practices studied could provide an economic perspective that is often crucial for the adoption of new practices by farmers.
answer:
Many economic benefits can be achieved when farmers control operational parameters. First of all, by selecting the tire pressure and vertical load, you can ensure optimal adjustment of the tires to the ground and, as a result, reduce pressure and compaction. This, in turn, allows for lower mechanical resistance that the soil will pose to agricultural machinery elements. This, in turn, has a positive impact on energy use (reduction in fuel consumption). These changes become visible especially after a longer time - after a larger number of treatments.
comment:
Discussing how the results fit into or could be integrated into existing or new cropping systems. This could include integration with crop management practices, crop rotation, or waste management systems.
answer:
Practical activities based on the results obtained can be integrated with existing agricultural work management systems. This applies especially to tire inflation pressure management systems, because this parameter can be changed quite quickly even while driving the tractor. Combined with the work management system, this can operate continuously, adapting the pumping pressure to the current operating conditions of the tractor - thus ensuring less soil compaction. As for the second operational parameter (vertical load), it is a bit more problematic because changing it involves certain maintenance activities (installation or disassembly of weights). However, some practical applications can also be found here - for example, the tractor's on-board computer can recommend the operator to change the load based on the collected ground data.
comment:
In some parts of the text, there may be terms or descriptions that are not clearly defined or that are used ambiguously. For example, the use of "laboratory conditions" could be specified with details about the controlled conditions to add more precision to the experimental method.
answer:
We standardized the terminology in the text - instead of the term "laboratory conditions", we used the term "controlled conditions", which meant performing tests on prepared soil samples (the preparation process was described in the earlier part of the review). Other ambiguous terms were also or clarified in the reviewed version of the manuscript.
comment:
The text may contain redundancies or unnecessary repetitions that do not contribute to clarity or the advancement of the argument. For example, repeating the methodology or results in different sections without adding new information.
answer:
As suggested, we cancelled repetitions in the text.
comment:
It is crucial to maintain consistency in the use of technical terms. Inconsistencies, such as switching between synonyms unnecessarily, can confuse the reader. It is important to check that terms like "vertical load" and "inflation pressure" are used consistently throughout the text.
answer:
As suggested, we have standardized the terms indicated throughout the text.
comment:
In some cases, the sentence structure can be complex or confusing, making it difficult to understand. Simplifying the syntax or breaking long sentences into smaller units can help with clarity.
answer:
We have changed the structure of more extensive text fragments. We separated some long sentences into two separate ones and simplified the syntax.
comment:
Descriptions of data or results should be precise and clear. Avoid ambiguities in statements like "the results suggest" without clearly specifying how the data support such suggestions.
answer:
We have corrected the text according to the comment, removing "uncertain" terms.
comment:
References and citations should be checked to ensure that they are correct and complete. Errors in citations can compromise the credibility of the study.
answer:
We have verified and corrected the citations.
comment:
The use of statistical terms must be precise. Verify that the interpretation and description of statistical tests are correct, such as the explanation of p-values, coefficients, and statistical significance.
We checked and sometimes corrected the descriptions of statistical terms.
One more time we want to thank for the review.
Sincerely
Authors
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript "Evaluation of the changes in dimensions of the footprint of agricultural tires under various exploitation conditions", presents an investigation into the impact of operating conditions on the parameters of the footprint of agricultural tires. The work is very interesting from an environmental and Applied Sciences point of view, but it is still preliminary in terms of results, other analyses can be carried out to adapt the publication. I strongly suggest that the editor and author go through a major review before accepting the article.
In general:
1. The paper presents some limitations, such as the use of only one type of soil.
2. The paper's results may not be generalizable to other contexts as they are based on laboratory experiments rather than field conditions.
3. The results of the article must be validated under field conditions to ensure that the results are generalizable.
4. The paper may require additional interpretation of the results as the authors do not provide a detailed discussion of the results and their importance in the context of agriculture and agricultural engineering.
Main:
1. The abstract needs to be improved, it should briefly address and describe the objective, object, procedure, results, and important novel findings accordingly. The first sentence of the abstract should reflect the novelty of your work. Subsequent sentences should show the mode of investigation, and the last part can describe the results of the study both qualitatively and quantitatively. Eventually, you should end the summary using a concluding sentence.
2. Try to highlight the novelty in the summary, end of the introduction, and conclusion.
3. Lines 105-110: Please give the source or standard used for soil sampling, soil classification, moisture, and compaction and how they were carried out.
4. Lines 118-129: Please give the source or standard used to experiment. Justify why pressures 0.08 MPa, 0.16 MPa, and 0.24 MPa were used.
5. Line 134: This reference does not comply with the newspaper's standards: Ptak et al. 2022. Check the author guide for references and check that the presentation of citations is correct throughout the text.
6. Avoid referring to Figures as (According to the figure above)......According to the Figure 2. Line 174. Please check all cases.
7. Avoid referring to Tables as (According to the table above)......According to the Table 1. Line 207. Please check all cases.
8. The conclusion should be extensively reviewed and the main results should be summarized as points at the end of the conclusion. You should follow this structure: a) A brief description of what you did and what's new about it? b) How did you investigate the system and what are the main useful parameters? c) Provide primary results as markers? d) Explain the main limitations of this study and present some suggestions for future research.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you for the review. You comments are very usefull for us.
We wrote the answers for you comments and sugestions:
Comment:
The manuscript "Evaluation of the changes in dimensions of the footprint of agricultural tires under various exploitation conditions", presents an investigation into the impact of operating conditions on the parameters of the footprint of agricultural tires. The work is very interesting from an environmental and Applied Sciences point of view, but it is still preliminary in terms of results, other analyses can be carried out to adapt the publication. I strongly suggest that the editor and author go through a major review before accepting the article.
Thank you for the review and for all your comments. Of course, we will perform a detailed corrections before publishing the article.
comments:
The paper presents some limitations, such as the use of only one type of soil.
The paper's results may not be generalizable to other contexts as they are based on laboratory experiments rather than field conditions.
The results of the article must be validated under field conditions to ensure that the results are generalizable.
answer:
The presented results are one of the stages of a broad research program. In the next parts of the research and publications, we will conducted research on other soils in various conditions. n the next parts, the research will be extended to other operating conditions (other tires, pressure and vertical load ranges), and the results obtained will be verified in real (field) conditions. The validity of laboratory tests will then be confirmed or rejected
comment:
The paper may require additional interpretation of the results as the authors do not provide a detailed discussion of the results and their importance in the context of agriculture and agricultural engineering.
answer:
When it comes to the interpretation of the results obtained and their significance for agricultural engineering and agriculture, first of all it should be stated that with larger dimensions of the wheel imprint, it is possible to achieve a larger contact surface of the wheel with the ground. In turn, it ensures lower pressure values. Less pressure means less soil compaction, which improves the water and air conditions in the soil (better aeration and water flow) and ensures lower mechanical resistance of the soil. Lower mechanical resistance will mean lower energy consumption during field work. If the soil was excessively compacted, it would be necessary to put a lot of energy into loosening it, which means higher fuel costs for tractors. We wrote this information in the text during revision.
comment:
The abstract needs to be improved, it should briefly address and describe the objective, object, procedure, results, and important novel findings accordingly. The first sentence of the abstract should reflect the novelty of your work. Subsequent sentences should show the mode of investigation, and the last part can describe the results of the study both qualitatively and quantitatively. Eventually, you should end the summary using a concluding sentence.
answer:
The abstract has been corrected according to comments.
comment:
Try to highlight the novelty in the summary, end of the introduction, and conclusion.
answer:
In the indicated parts of the text, after the review, there is information about both the innovativeness of the research method and the uniqueness of the obtained results.
comment:
Lines 105-110: Please give the source or standard used for soil sampling, soil classification, moisture, and compaction and how they were carried out.
answer:
The soil was classified according to the PN-EN ISO 14688:2006 standard. The soil for the experiment was collected from one field. First, compactness was measured in field conditions. A Pentrologger device was used to measure compactness , and the measurement method was in accordance with the ASAE S313.3 (R2013) ED standard. This device had the ability to measure soil moisture using a connected resistive sensor (this method was compliant with the ASAE standard ( Transactions of the ASAE. 30 (4): 0922-0931). In several repetitions, an average value of 0.9 MPa was achieved , with humidity equal to 25%. These data were used as a reference point in laboratory tests. After filling the soil box, the soil compactness was measured again if it was less than the assumed 0.9 MPa , compaction was performed by lowering the agricultural wheel onto the plate. assumed 0.9 MPa , loosening was carried out using a hand shovel. A similar procedure was used in the case of humidity - if the soil turned out to be too moist, the moisture was increased by adding water, and if it was too moist, it was left to dry and taken in its place. another attempt from the field.
comment:
Lines 118-129: Please give the source or standard used to experiment. Justify why pressures 0.08 MPa, 0.16 MPa, and 0.24 MPa were used.
answer:
The reference point for the adopted vertical load values was the tire load index, which in both cases was 145, i.e. 2900 kg. The first load level, equal to 11.8 kN, corresponded to a mass of 1200 kg, which was 40% of the maximum load and at the same time was the lower limit of the rational load (from a practical point of view, it is not profitable to operate with loads lower than 40% of the maximum load ). In turn, the second vertical load level, i.e. 19.8 kN, corresponds to a mass of 2000 kg, which is 70% of the maximum load - in practice, this value is given as the maximum for continuous operation. It should also be noted that other load levels will be the subject of further research. In turn, the selection of pressures was based on the recommendations of tire manufacturers (they determined the maximum pressures - for both tires they were 0.26 MPa , however, such pressures are not recommended for continuous operation. Therefore, 0 was assumed as the maximum safe pressure value, 24 MPa . This value is sometimes used for works involving very high vertical loads. It also happens that unaware farmers overinflate the tires of their tractors. A lower level of inflation pressure (0.16 MPa ) is a value often used in practice as " universal" for both field and transport work (if the farmer does not have a central pumping system in the tractor, he sets one pressure value, which ensures good traction conditions on the road during transport and moderate traction properties in field work). 0.08 MPa ) is, in turn, recommended for field work because at such a low pressure you can achieve very good adhesion of the tire to the ground and, as a result, little soil compaction. This value is not recommended for transport work because the rolling resistance is too high. This can also cause your tires to wear out faster. The selection of loads and pressures was therefore intended to confirm whether the methods adopted in practice were justified for both types of tires (radial and diagonal).
comment:
Line 134: This reference does not comply with the newspaper's standards: Ptak et al. 2022. Check the author guide for references and check that the presentation of citations is correct throughout the text.
answer:
We have corrected this reference according to editorial standards.
comment:
Avoid referring to Figures as (According to the figure above)......According to the Figure 2. Line 174. Please check all cases.
answer:
The suggested changes have been implemented in the text. Unnecessary references to drawings have been removed.
comment:
Avoid referring to Tables as (According to the table above)......According to the Table 1. Line 207. Please check all cases.
answer:
The suggested changes have been implemented in the text. Unnecessary table references have been removed.
comment:
The conclusion should be extensively reviewed and the main results should be summarized as points at the end of the conclusion. You should follow this structure: a) A brief description of what you did and what's new about it? b) How did you investigate the system and what are the main useful parameters? c) Provide primary results as markers? d) Explain the main limitations of this study and present some suggestions for future research.
answer:
The conclusions were corrected according to your comments.
One more time we want to thank you for the revision.
Sincerely
Authors
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe quality of the article has been improved, and all issues that previously disqualified the work have been resolved.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors made all the requested corrections. Congratulations
