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

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%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The paper presents the results of studies on the influence of fuel system malfunctions, engine adjustment violations, technical condition, and operating conditions of tractors, trucks, and passenger cars on fuel consumption. The analysis of external speed characteristics of diesel and carburetor engines is carried out. The influence of ignition timing, fuel equipment condition, tire pressure, cooling system operation, and maintenance quality on fuel efficiency indicators is considered. It is shown that untimely maintenance, improper adjustment of engine systems, and violation of operating requirements significantly affect fuel consumption and engine performance. The results of the study demonstrate that the technical condition of vehicles and operating modes are among the main factors determining fuel efficiency indicators.

The paper presents a new model of an agricultural machine for combined soil tillage, designed mainly for pre-sowing soil preparation in field crop production and horticulture. The machine combines several technological operations in one pass: cutting and lifting of the untreated soil layer, crushing of soil clods, shredding of plant residues and regulated discharge of the processed material through a grid system. The proposed construction is based on a tractor-mounted implement with two rotating drums equipped with radial hammers, a wedge-shaped comb knife, an intermediate grid, an outlet grid and a rear cover for controlling the size of the processed soil aggregates. The expected increase in productivity is related to the replacement of several consecutive tillage operations with one combined pass, which may reduce field time, fuel consumption, labour input and soil compaction. Since experimental field data are not yet available, the paper also proposes a methodology for future testing, including evaluation of effective field capacity on the machine.

This article presents the design of a working body for removing the damaged soil layer inside a crater, which allows for field studies of the process of removing the damaged soil layer from inside a crater formed as a result of explosions. A methodology has been developed for conducting experimental studies of the working body for removing the damaged soil layer from inside a crater.

Albania has a long tradition in the collecting, cultivation and export of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), with more than 400 wild species of economic importance, representing nearly 15% of the country’s flora. Drying is a key post-harvest process that affects moisture reduction, microbial stability, and preservation of bioactive compounds, essential oils, color, and overall product quality. This study evaluates innovative solar-powered drying systems for medicinal and aromatic plants and mountain fruits in Bilisht and Ersekë, Albania. Data collected from March to August 2023 included fresh biomass weight, layer thickness, biomass density, drying temperature and
duration, relative humidity, ambient temperature, and final dry biomass. The systems incorporated heat-absorbing materials and transparent covers to improve solar energy capture and airflow control. Drying temperature and duration were identified as the main factors affecting the physical, microbiological, and phytochemical quality of dried products. Results showed that solar drying systems reduced drying time and improved product quality compared with traditional drying methods. These findings suggest that innovative solar drying systems can improve energy efficiency, preserve product quality, and increase the commercial value of medicinal and aromatic plants in Albania.

This article presents the design of a device with a flexible screw conveyor that will improve the functional and operational characteristics of screw conveyors during the disposal of excavated contaminated soil. To select optimal design parameters for the sections of the screw working element, computer modeling was performed to assess the impact of force loads on corresponding deformations depending on operating conditions.