Mechanization in agriculture & Conserving of the resources
Vol. 72 (2026), Issue 2

Table of Contents

  • MECHANIZATION IN AGRICULTURE

    • Evaluation of the quality of work of selected chemical protection machines

      pg(s) 30-34

      In the conditions of Slovakia, climatic changes are occurring. Methods of protection can be biological, mechanical, but most often chemical. The choice of a suitable technique depends on the total area of the treated area. However, the trend of increasing the working width of machines for chemical protection prevails. An important aspect of the quality of the sprayer’s work is the transverse unevenness of the application, surface coverage and saving of the spray substance. The aim of this diploma thesis is to compare the surface coverage of the Matrot Maestria and Horsch Leeb 5 LT sprayers and to determine the risk of spray liquid drifting onto the machine cabin.

    • Technical and economic assessment of improving the reliability of agricultural machinery

      pg(s) 35-42

      Increasing the reliability of machinery and technical devices is currently a critical issue, as it is directly linked to technical and economic performance. No machine or device will be competitive in the global market without high reliability. It should be noted that the reliability of agricultural machinery is still low and does not meet modern scientific and industrial requirements. According to official data, the cost of producing new agricultural machinery accounts for 22% of total production capacity, spare parts account for 34%, and repairs account for 44%. Increasing reliability is an inexhaustible resource and is equivalent to increasing the number of machines without any investment. Machine reliability can be improved during design, manufacturing, and repair. Our research focuses on improving the reliability of agricultural machinery using resource-saving technologies for restoring worn parts, specifically spark etching. We have developed and implemented a methodology for assessing the technical and economic efficiency of restoring worn parts of agricultural machinery using electro-alloying. Calculations have shown that using this method of restoring cultivator blades with a program N=500 amounts to E=$2000.

    • Justification of the parameters of a screw conveyor for transporting disturbed soil from the center of a blast hole

      pg(s) 37-39

      This article presents the design of an experimental setup developed to investigate the influence of the auger rotation speed, the height of the lifted soil, and the radius of curvature of the flexible screw-type sectional working body on the torque at the drive shaft during soil transport from the center of a pit. Based on the conducted research, corresponding regression equations and response surfaces were constructed to study the influence of the screw rotation speed, the lifting height of the excavated soil, and the radius of curvature of the flexible screw-type sectional working body on the torque value on the drive shaft during transportation. Analysis of the presented regression equation shows that the dominant factor influencing the torque value is the material lift height h. The radius of curvature R of the flexible screw sectional working body also significantly influences the change in torque. The least influential factor is the rotational speed n of the working body.

    • Ways to develop biomass distributor module in cleaning machines

      pg(s) 40-44

      The development of the biomass distribution module (BDM) in harvesting machines is aimed at increasing productivity, reducing crop losses, improving biomass processing quality, and adapting to various operating conditions. The paper demonstrates improvement paths, including technological innovation, modularity, and adaptation to different crops and threshing systems.
      Known devices for processing mown grain in a harvesting machine, where the active elements have a curved profile, with a height of 15-70 mm at one end, and the arc of the element tapers off at the other end. The active elements are mounted in box-shaped holders with three walls, two side and one end, the wall height not exceeding the lower level of the active element. A clamp for fixing the base of the active element is installed in one of the side walls at the input end of the holder, and the opposite side wall of the holder is made with a flange longitudinally along the upper edge, facing inward to secure the edge of the active element protruding under the flange. Moreover, the holders are rigidly attached to the bottom of the inclined chamber, etc. A disadvantage of these devices is the complexity and time-consuming repair of the inclined chamber bottom. The inclined chamber bottom operates under increased loads, especially when working in extreme conditions when harvesting wet, lodged and weed-infested crops, which causes intense abrasive wear. Furthermore, under such conditions, deformation of the active elements is possible. To restore the feeder house to working order, the failed active elements are replaced, and in the event of damage to the bottom, the entire chamber must be rebuilt. We have proposed options to minimize these shortcomings by simplifying repairs, reducing their duration, and enabling the quick replacement of active elements with elements of a different shape when the type of material being removed changes.

    • Research of carbon fiber composite characteristics and performance modes for agricultural engineering applications

      pg(s) 50-49

      The study investigates the influence of carbon fiber content (10, 15, and 20 wt.%) on the physico-mechanical and tribological properties of polyamide-6-based carbon fiber reinforced plastics intended for agricultural machinery applications. The composites were manufactured by extrusion and tested for compressive strength, friction coefficient, wear resistance, abrasive wear resistance, and hardness. The results showed that increasing the carbon fiber content improved strength and wear resistance while reducing the coefficient of friction and contact temperature. The CPA-6-20 composite showed the best overall performance, combining high strength, low friction and superior wear resistance. The obtained results confirm the potential of carbon fiber reinforced polyamide-6 composites for use in friction units and structural components of agricultural machinery.

    • Analysis of the reliability of service equipment in repair facilities for agricultural equipment

      pg(s) 50-51

      Maintaining a high level of reliability of service equipment in agricultural machinery repair facilities requires the use of modern methods and technologies for service. For their application, it is necessary to study the failures of equipment by causes of occurrence. This research paper justifies the need to create stocks of spare parts, assemblies and units and analyzes their influence on the availability coefficient of machines, i.e. economic feasibility.

    • Study of the Process of Furrow Formation by a Skid-shaped Coulter of a Transplanting Machine

      pg(s) 52-54

      This study examines the patterns of influence of the parameters of formation of planting furrows by a snake-shaped coulter on the survival rate of vegetable crop seedlings. An analysis of the interaction between the working tool and the soil was conducted, examining the processes of deformation, compaction, and movement of soil mass during furrow formation. It was established that planting quality is determined by the consistency of the coulter’s depth, the density of the formed planting bed, and the absence of furrow wall collapse. Analytical relationships are proposed for assessing coulter traction resistance, furrow bottom pressure, and soil shedding coefficient. Recommendations are developed for selecting optimal operating modes for transplanting machines, ensuring a seedling survival rate of 95-98%.

  • CONSERVING OF THE RESOURCES

    • Soil characterization by capillary test

      pg(s) 55-59

      This article deals with the characterization of soil using the capillary effect. The interactions between water molecules and those of a soil sample cause a liquid to flow upwards. The climbing height and rate of rise are strongly dependent on the geometric shape of the pore system of the soil sample hence these parameters can be used for soil characterization. The paper shows that capillary action is primarily responsible for cohesion in the soil, and it is therefore physically quite reasonable to use related properties for soil characterization in agricultural machinery applications. This paper presents a method to derive dimensionless key figures allowing the experiment-independent characterization of the soil sample. The aim is the computer-simulation of soil behavior for applications in agricultural technology. Calibration of Discrete Element Method (DEM) models involves matching virtual particle parameters (friction, stiffness, restitution) of the simulation model to the real soil behavior like cohesion and abrasion. Properties of the developed agricultural machineries, such as traction requirements, power consumption and wear behavior, can thus be predicted very soon in the product development process. The characterization enables an assignment of a given soil to an established set of simulation parameters. Two soil samples examined can be easily and reliably distinguished from each other using the method presented.

    • Evaluation of vegetation indices in organic vineyards using plant-o-meter sensor measurements

      pg(s) 60-62

      Increased environmental concerns and the growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices are encouraging the development of more sustainable agricultural management systems. In the field of viticulture, increasing attention is being paid to the use of alternative organic plant protection products, which can reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides while maintaining grape yield and quality. At the same time, high-precision vineyard technologies enable more detailed monitoring of vineyard conditions and spatial variability. Vegetation indices derived from spectral measurements provide valuable information on plant vigor, physiological status, and potential stress. Consequently, the combination of environmentally friendly plant protection methods with modern monitoring tools represents an important step towards sustainable vineyard management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic plant protection products on grapevine vigor using NDVI and NDRE vegetation indices. The study was conducted in a vineyard with two grape varieties, representing table grapes and wine grapes. Vegetation monitoring was carried out using a Plant-O-Meter sensor, enabling nondestructive spectral measurements of the grapevine canopy. Measurements were carried out before the application of organic plant protection products (control measurements) and twice after treatment in July, when the plants were fully developed. Spectral data were used to calculate two widely applied vegetation indices, NDVI and NDRE, in order to evaluate changes in plant vigor and physiological status. The results showed variability in vegetation indices across cultivars and observation periods. In table grape cultivars, NDVI values ranged from 0.58 to 0.60, while NDRE values ranged from 0.023 to 0.11. In wine grape cultivars, NDVI values remained stable at 0.73, whereas NDRE values ranged from 0.10 to 0.12. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between vegetation indices and production parameters. In table grape cultivars, significant correlations with yield were observed during the first measurement for NDRE (r= 0.99) and NDVI (r= 0.91). In wine grape cultivars, significant correlations were found during the third measurement between NDRE and total acidity (r= 0.898), as well as between NDRE and sugar content (r= 0.926). Two-way ANOVA indicated that cultivar had a significant effect on NDVI values, while NDRE was significantly influenced by cultivar, observation period, and their interaction (p= 0.001). The results demonstrate that NDVI and NDRE can be used as reliable indicators for monitoring vineyard canopy vigor and assessing the impact of organic plant protection products, highlighting their potential as valuable tools for supporting sustainable vineyard management.

    • Combined system for sub-soil and surface drip irrigation of agricultural crops

      pg(s) 63-65

      The current trends in the development of drip irrigation systems and moisture distribution are analyzed from the point of view of reducing water and energy costs. A subsoil plus surface drip irrigation system is proposed, which combines the advantages of the two systems operating separately and at the same time eliminates their disadvantages. Seven main advantages of the developed system are systematized, factors and parameters that determine the quality of the system are defined.