Mechanization in agriculture & Conserving of the resources
Vol. 69 (2025), Issue 2

Table of Contents

  • MECHANIZATION IN AGRICULTURE

    • Evaluation of the quality of work of selected machines

      pg(s) 33-35

      In this paper, we focused on evaluating the quality of work of the IMPRESS 3160 V MASTER baler with a variable chamber from Pöttinger, designed for harvesting bulk forage. The research was carried out during the silage of red clover, with the main goal being to analyze the influence of different driving speeds and technical settings of the machine, such as the number of active cutting knives, on the quality of the resulting bales. The results point to specific combinations of technical parameters and speeds that lead to the optimization of harvesting and increase the quality of the forage. The findings can serve as a basis for more effective use of the machine in practice and for achieving higher productivity and nutritional value of the silage

    • Research and optimization of adhesion strength of metal coatings obtained by electric spark alloying using multifactorial experimental design

      pg(s) 36-37

      Agricultural machinery operates in special soil-climatic and dynamic conditions of Georgia. Its working parts are constantly exposed to alternating dynamic loads, abrasive particles in the cultivated soil, exposure and slope of the relief, high humidity, high radiation, etc. All these factors cause intensive wear of their working parts and therefore such machines are subject to special reliability requirements. In addition, agricultural machinery must be highly reliable due to the fact that harvesting is carried out in a short time and failures of such machines lead to significant losses of agricultural products. To improve the reliability and performance of worn parts, we have developed a new, resource-saving, alternative technology using spark alloying. Theoretical foundations and methods for optimizing the adhesion strength of metal coatings obtained by spark alloying have also been developed using multifactorial experiment planning. To optimize the process of restoring worn parts, the Box-Wilson steep climb method was u sed. The work was supported by the Shota Rustaveli Georgian National Science Foundation FR – 23-1855.

    • Automated installation and algorithmic platform for determining the quality indicators of seed potato tubers

      pg(s) 41-45

      The article presents a comprehensive scientific and engineering development — an automated installation and an algorithmic platform for assessing the quality characteristics of varietal seed potato tubers. The development is aimed at solving key agroengineering problems related to increasing the accuracy, standardization and productivity of tuber analysis processes in seed production.
      The methodological basis of the study is a combination of tensometric measurement of tuber mass with computer vision algorithms based on the OpenCV library in the Python programming environment. The algorithm allows for automatic and highly accurate determination of mass, linear dimensions (length, width, height), area and perimeter of the tuber, as well as calculation of derived indicators such as shape index and shape coefficient, which are important for sorting and determining varietal affiliation.
      To verify the developed system, experimental studies were conducted on an automated setup using control measurements performed by traditional methods (calipers, electronic scales). The study included both mini-tubers and standard seed tubers of the Alliance potato variety. Statistical analysis of the data showed a high degree of consistency between digital and manual measurements, and also revealed a significant advantage of the automated method in terms of productivity: the analysis time for one tuber was reduced by an average of seven times.
      Particular attention is paid to the compliance of the proposed method with national and international standards, in particular, the requirements of GOST 33996–2016, which guarantees the possibility of its practical application in real production conditions. The authors substantiate that the introduction of digital technologies in the process of sorting seed potatoes allows minimizing subjective errors, reducing labor costs, increasing the speed of data processing and standardizing the quality assessment process.
      The scientific novelty of the work lies in the integration of algorithmic data processing with physical measurements on one platform, which allows for the implementation of a comprehensive agro-engineering system for solving problems of selection, seed production and automated sorting. The developed installation can be adapted and scaled for use with other fruit and vegetable crops, which opens up opportunities for further research and expansion of the range of applications.
      The results of the study are relevant for agro-industrial enterprises, research institutes, seed farms and agricultural machinery manufacturers. The proposed system can be integrated into existing sorting and processing lines, ensuring the transition to precision agriculture and industry 4.0 technologies in the agricultural sector..

    • Study of harrow discs coated by plasma-thermal method

      pg(s) 46-49

      This study presents a comparative analysis of three types of coatings taken from the active area of the coted harrow disks using atmospheric plasma spray deposition method (APS). The resulting coatings increase the durability of the harrow discs and the inclusion in the componence of coatings of carbides and powdered ceramic compounds will enhance the mechanical characteristics. This study focused on scanning electron microscopy of the coated samples from the harrow discs and their tribological properties. SEM imaging and EDS analysis have been carried out to clarify the morphological characteristics and study of disc cross-section. Tribological tests were carried out to determine the following main parameters: adhesion to the substrate, coefficient of friction (COF), modulus of elasticity and hardness of the material.
      The development and implementation of modern technologies for improving the mechanical and chemical properties of materials for
      coated harrow discs will increase resistance to abrasive wear in modern agricultural conditions.

    • Methodology for technical and economic assessment of the overhaul period of tractor units and self-propelled agricultural machinery

      pg(s) 49-50

      The stages of the life cycle of complex technical products, such as tractors and self-propelled agricultural machinery, are considered. The need for adjusting /extending/ the repair interval of individual units and assemblies is justified.
      A methodology for the technical and economic assessment of the repair interval of tractor units and self-propelled agricultural machinery has been developed, which takes into account the economic effect of extending the repair period, the relative share of the costs of purchasing replacement units and the set value of the confidence probability of the resource of the units.

    • Machine soil profiling combined

      pg(s) 51-53

      A technology has been developed for the formation of a bed surface with a high arc-shaped bed, which has proven its advantages and has established itself in the production of vegetable, berry, essential oil, medicinal and decorative crops. A working tool has been developed for bed formation of a high arc-shaped bed with elevations for adjusting the parameters of the soil profile. An experimental model of a machine soil profiling combined, the machine operates simultaneously forming a bed surface, laying hoses for drip irrigation, on mulching film was made with a view to creating favorable conditions for crops.

  • CONSERVING OF THE RESOURCES

    • Technology for reclamation of explosion craters

      pg(s) 54-56

      The article studies and analyzes the impact of armed aggression and hostilities on soil cover, in particular, damage and destruction of fertile soil as a result of the detonation of various explosives (missiles, bombs, artillery shells, etc.). It has been established that as a result of rocket and artillery shelling, the fields are covered with craters from the explosions of shells, mines, and rockets. The craters are of different diameters and depths. The soil remaining at the impact site is turbulized, subject to dynamic compaction, and contains numerous metal fragments with residues of explosive toxic substances, which means that the physical properties of the soil deteriorate, the particle size distribution changes, and the soil is compacted and disintegrated due to a decrease in the content of agronomically valuable fractions, etc. Based on research on the impact of military operations on agricultural soils, the following technology for reclamation of explosion craters was developed.