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Tillage Time Calculator

Work out tillage time instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Tillage Time Calculator

Tillage time is area x number of passes divided by the machine's effective field capacity. Passes matter as much as capacity: dropping from three passes to two on ten hectares saves as much time as a 50% faster machine, which is the economic case for minimum tillage.

Formula

Tillage time

Hours = area (ha) x passes / field capacity (ha/h); days = hours / working hours per day

Worked example

With the default values below, Tillage Time Calculator returns Total Tillage Time of 16.67. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Area To Tillminimum 0.01 ha
10 ha
Machine Field Capacityminimum 0.01 ha/h
1.2 ha/h
Number Of Tillage Passesaccepts 1–10
2
Working Hours Per Dayminimum 0.5 h
8 h

Results

Total Tillage Time
16.67
Working Days Required
2.08
Hours Per Pass
8.33
Hectares Per Working Day
9.60

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Tillage time
  3. 3Total Tillage Time= 16.67
  4. 4Working Days Required= 2.08
  5. 5Hours Per Pass= 8.33
  6. 6Hectares Per Working Day= 9.60

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many passes are really needed?

Conventional seedbed preparation uses one primary and two secondary passes. Reduced tillage systems combine operations or drill directly, cutting fuel and time by 40-70%.

Should I allow for travel and breakdowns?

Add 10-20% contingency for road travel between plots, refuelling and breakdowns when planning against a weather window.

Related Calculators

Tillage Time Calculator – Calculate Total Tillage Time