Justification of Cultivator-Fertiliser Configuration Scheme

Abstract

Abstract A possible way to increase the operating speed and field capacity of a cultivator-fertiliser is to modify its configuration scheme. According to our hypothesis, placing the fertiliser hopper directly on the tractor frame could reduce the traction resistance of the cultivator-fertiliser and consequently increase its operating speed and field capacity. Validating this hypothesis requires a comparative evaluation of the existing configuration schemes for cultivator-fertilisers. However, there are currently no such comprehensive studies available. This research aims to develop a mathematical model for conducting a comparative theoretical evaluation of various configuration schemes for cultivator-fertilisers. The development of this model incorporated principles from classical and agricultural mechanics. We developed a mathematical model and conducted a theoretical evaluation of existing configuration schemes for cultivator-fertilisers, such as mounting the hopper on a separate trailed chassis, mounting the hopper and tillage working bodies on one frame, and mounting the hopper directly on the tractor frame. The working width of the cultivator-fertiliser was constant and amounted to 6.2 m. The effective engine power of the tractor was taken to be 220 × 103 W. It was found that placing the fertiliser hopper on the tractor frame maximises the field capacity to 3.9 ha∙h−1. The increase in field capacity was 8.9–16.0%. In this case, the fertiliser hopper volume should be 1.89 m3 and travel speed 8.45 km∙h−1.