International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

The introduction of a testing system for agricultural machinery and implements, from the very beginning of the emergence of this research and production industry, is possible only with the establishment of a machine testing station, which reproduces the full cycle of crop cultivation. To do this, it is necessary to have appropriate land plots where crops are grown and subsequently tested, appropriate management personnel (agronomist and ordinary workers) and traction vehicles, i.e. horses. It is mandatory to have measuring instruments and various measuring equipment that can be used by scientists, testers and engineers during the tests. They should carry out preparatory work on the adaptation, adjustment, calibration and use of these devices. The next necessary condition is also the methodology for conducting the tests and processing the results of these measurements. The first testing station for agricultural machinery and implements in Ukraine that met these requirements was founded, established and began to operate successfully in Kharkiv, namely at the Kharkiv Practical Technological Institute in 1889.

Calculating and increasing the reliability indicators of machines is an important problem as they won’t be competitive in the world market without this high indicator. Currently, many scientists have developed scientific foundations for calculating the reliability of machines, installations, instruments and devices in radio electronics, aviation, space, mechanical engineering and other industries, but such research is not acceptable for agricultural machines that operate in special soil-climatic and dynamic conditions. Their working bodies are constantly subject to alternating dynamic loads, abrasive particles in the cultivated soil, exposure and inclination of the relief, high humidity, high radiation, etc. All these factors cause intensive wear of their working bodies and therefore, such machines are subject to special requirements for reliability. In addition, agricultural machines must have high reliability 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. We have developed theoretical principles and methods for calculating the reliability of agricultural machines, taking into account the specifics of their designs and operating conditions. For this purpose, modern methods of probabilistic-statistical modeling, queuing theory, similarity and dimensions were used. A methodology for calculating reliability was also developed taking into account the structural and logical diagrams of machines and such diagrams of specific machines were drawn up.

The article presents a study of the development of agricultural mechanics in Ukraine based on the coverage of scientific works in the areas of research of its patriarch, academician of VASGNIL, academician of the Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Professor Petro Vasylenko. The article analyzes not only his personal scientific works, but also the research of his immediate students. Academician Petro Vasylenko is known far beyond the borders of Ukraine for his fundamental research not only in agricultural mechanics, but also in the theory and methods of calculation of tillage,
sowing, grain harvesting and beet harvesting machines, as well as in the dynamics and stability of agricultural machinery. Petro Vasylenko was also awarded the highest award in the field of agricultural mechanics, the V.P. Goryachkin Gold Medal, for his outstanding scientific contribution to the development of the theory and practice of agricultural mechanics and for the creation of a scientific school. This award was given only to outstanding scientists with a worldwide reputation who enriched the treasury of scientific knowledge with fundamental works in the field of agricultural engineering aspects of agriculture.

The necessity of using the apparatus of mathematical statistics to obtain high reliability of the results of the evaluation of thereliability indicators of agricultural machinery in comparative tests is justified.
Two models of plant protection machines have been tested and the main numerical characteristics of the indicator production till failure of the failure-free feature have been obtained.
The application of the Student’s criterion for proving the statistical significance of the difference in the tested reliability indicator is justified.

The types of machine reliability tests and the applicability of the test plans are discussed. On this basis, a methodology for experimental testing of the reliability of the machines is proposed and the interrelation of the elements of the methodology is shown.

Adjara, with its diverse natural conditions, relief and soil and climatic features, is one of the distinctive regions of Georgia, dominated by mountainous terrain, steep slopes and small areas. Accordingly, the complex mechanization of agricultural processes by mobile agricultural machinery is inappropriate and therefore small-sized agricultural machinery is used. This technique works in difficult soil-climatic and dynamic conditions, it is constantly affected by significant dynamic forces, high humidity, abrasive particles in the environment, mountainous terrain and others. All these factors cause intensive wear and decrease in the reliability of the working bodies of machines. It should be noted that single and complex indicators of the operational reliability of small-scale mechanization equipment operating in the mountainous conditions of Adjara have not been studied and their establishment will contribute to the rational organization of technical service of small-scale mechanization machines.
The reliability indicators of motoblocks and motor cultivators, such as the probability of failure-free operation, time between failures, the failure rate parameter, the average resource, the coefficients of technical use and readiness, are considered, adequate probabilisticstatistical mathematical models are obtained, the least reliable nodes, types of failures are identified, and a set of measures is outlined to improve reliability

In this research, a survey was conducted in the Republic of Croatia in order to determine energy consumption in agriculture. The survey included collecting data on agricultural machinery based on machine type, fuel used, type of business and arable land type. There were more than 9,000 participants in the survey, of which more than 6,000 family farms. Results are shown on a national level for four land types: arable land, meadows and pastures, olive plantations and vineyards, as well as for three groups of participants: enterprises, family farms, and eco-producers. The last was found to have the lowest energy consumption and emissions on most land types, except on arable land, where all three groups have similar results. Vineyards had the highest emissions per hectare, while meadows and pastures had the lowest.

Industry 4.0 represents the newest generation of industry development. Every day the various demands in industry are getting more and more demanding. The demand for shorter production and delivery time, more efficient and automated processes has led us to the Industry 4.0. It is necessary to include and integrate the latest developments based on digital technologies as well as the interoperability process across them. The goals is to enable companies to transmit information in real time in terms of performance and behaviour. Industry 4.0 can be applied to any branch of industry. Agricultural industry is no exception. As far as agricultural machinery is concerned, it is a very important part of agricultural industry. Agricultural machinery incorporates electronic controls and it is a part of digital age, enhancing their current performance. In addition to the electronics, using sensors and drones, supports the data collection of several agriculture key aspects, such as weather, animals and crops behaviour, geographical spatialization, etc. The main tasks are how to apply the right methods and methodologies in order to support a better supply chain decision-making process, how to automate the process and how can Industry 4.0 help a person, who is in agricultural industry, in order to make effective decisions based on objective data.

Innovative scientific-technical and pedagogical bases of studying in higher education institutions by future specialists in agroengineering of the theory and calculation fundamental questions of sprinkler nozzles and devices of machines for irrigation of agricultural crops are presented. Some constructive schemes of nozzles, namely, deflector, crack, etc. are analyzed. Graphs for determining the range of the jet and determining the rational shape of the nozzle are given. It is proved that all this can be effectively applied both in the educational process during the study of agricultural machinery and equipment by students and in research and production practice. Depending on the purpose, tasks, methods of technological processes of irrigation disintegration of a water jet on drops is analyzed. An algorithm for calculating the working bodies of sprinklers is presented, it can be used by agricultural engineers during their design activities. It is established that it is effective when students first study and analyze the state of agricultural production, for example, during internships, identify shortcomings of technological processes, opportunities for improvement, level of technical support, and then, using theoretical knowledge, mastered methods of engineering calculations, design and construct working bodies of sprinklers. Formulas for determining the radius of the irrigation sector, the maximum angle of the rocker arm at which the nozzle is attached, the total travel time of the rocker arm in both directions, the speed of the liquid in the jet and more are given. The methodological features of functioning of various designs of nozzles of sprinklers are theoretically described. The results of scientific research presented in the article can be used as didactic material in lectures, during laboratory-practical classes, independent work of students, as well as graduate students and scientists at the stage of design and construction of reclamation machines. The main theoretical provisions are recommended to be included in the list of test tasks for assessing the readiness of agricultural engineering for innovative project activities. It is noted that the study of the basics of designing the working bodies of irrigation machines is one of the factors of a holistic conceptual system of protection of soils and water resources. Emphasis is placed on the fact that soil and water resources are important objects and prerequisites for the development of reclamation machines and the formation of special design competencies of agricultural engineers

The scientific, technical and pedagogical bases of studying issues of soil and water protection by future specialists in agro-engineering in of higher education institutions are presented. Some concepts and categories that are used in the educational process for students to study agricultural land reclamation machinery and equipment are analyzed. Depending on the purpose, tasks, techniques of technological processes, the types of land reclamation measures are distinguished. The example of calculation of working bodies of earthmoving reclamation machines is given. According to the developed innovative studying technologies, students first study and analyze the state of agricultural production, identify the disadvantages of technological processes, the level of technical support, and then, using mathematical apparatus, methods of engineering calculations design and construct a reclamation machine. The methodological features of calculating the power balance of the earth-moving reclamation machine, which includes the power required to: isolate the material to be processed, taking into account its deformation, are theoretically described; the movement of the material being treated, that is, providing it with kinetic energy; lifting of the processed material; overcoming the friction resistance of the treated material against the surface of the working body and guide surfaces; overcoming the full resistance of the movement of the machine, taking into account the slope of the surface of the movement to the horizon; overcoming the propulsion of the propulsion; acceleration of the machine to the calculated speed of movement (overcoming the forces of inertia); drive conveyors and accessories. The developed procedure of laboratory and practical work includes the study of the methods and features of the calculation of balance capacity components of reclamation machines, taking into account such indicators as the type of soil, its density, thickness of layer, productivity, kinematics of the working body, the required lifting height, etc. The lecturer must draw up a general report on the theoretical and practical part of the laboratory and practical work in accordance with his task and protect it from the faculty of the department. The developed pedagogical technology of cross training emphasizes that soil and water resources are important objects and prerequisites for the development of agricultural machines and the formation of design competencies of agricultural engineers.

The development of innovative technologies of designing agricultural machines and their influence on the formation of professional competencies of agroengineer is presented. The course designing topics and stages of work implementation are highlighted, which states that during designing a review and analysis of existing structures of this type is performed, the mechanical and technological properties of agricultural materials with which the machine will work (soil, seeds, fertilizers, root crops, etc.) are determined, the agrotechnical requirements and technical requirements for the car are formed, the technological scheme of the design is substantiated and the principle of its work is described, the basic technological, kinematic, hydro or pneumatic mechanical parameters, the forces acting on the working bodies, traction resistance and power consumption are determined, calculations are made for the strength of the changed structural elements, the technical passport of the machine is drawn up, the technical and economic indicators are determined, the technological scheme is drawn up, the description is made and the formula of the invention is compiled according to the requirements of the patent documents. It is noted that the successful completion of the course work on agricultural machines involves interdisciplinary connections with other disciplines, for example, such as the mechanical and technological properties of agricultural materials, the basis of engineering methods for calculation of strength and rigidity, machine parts and design principles, agriculture, the basis intellectual property, the basis of scientific research, etc. An example of an approximate algorithm for calculating and designing an agricultural machine on the example of a grain seed drill is given. The factors emphasizing the quality of preparation of agroengineering specialists, development of capabilities for performing design functions are highlighted.

The structural-logical model of training of future specialists in agroengineering for innovative project activity has been developed on the basis of a systematic comprehensive study of the theoretical course of agricultural machines, the deepening of the students’ scientific work on the development of supporting and moving elements of machine-tractor units, including pneumatic tires. The samples of individual fragments from the algorithm and the method of calculation of wheels used in the educational process are provided and the general and professional competencies of the agroengineer are created, especially during the implementation of future specialists in agroindustrial production of higher education courses in the course of master’s and master’s studies. It is noted that the training of agroengineers for innovative project activities is carried out in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” and the standards of higher education of Ukraine. The influence of interdisciplinarity in the system of cross-cutting project preparation on the readiness for implementation of production practical tasks is investigated. It is confirmed that the support-run elements of aggregates in the conditions of complex terrain contributes to the development of erosion processes and negatively affect the soil fertility. Any tire better satisfies the condition of permissible wheel pressure on the soil if the air pressure in the tire is low. Improving the technological process of manufacturing tires for agricultural purposes allows them to ensure their quality, reliability and operational safety.