The Role of Bionic Modifications in Reducing Adhesion and Draft of Agricultural and Earthmoving Machinery

Abstract

Soil adheres to the surfaces of soil engaging components of earthmoving machinery and equipment. It has been pbserved that up to 50% of energy may be consumed in overcoming adhesion and friction of soil to the surfaces of soil engaging components of agricultural and earthmoving machinery. Surface morphology, chemical composition, elasticity, lubrication mechanism and electric osmosis play significant roles in reducing adhesion, friction and energy consumption of various equipment. Some of these techniques have very limited application in the practical field conditions because of the time and amount of fluid required to achieve the desired results. Whereas other techniques are effective in reducing adhesion and friction and improving work quality of these machines and equipment. This paper analyses the forces including the drafts of conventional and bionic bulldozing blades operating under identical conditions using mathematical modelling. The force analysis showed that both adhesion and friction play major role in reducing drafts of earrthmoving machinery. It is also worth stating that both the surface morphology and the construction materials play important role in reducing adhesion and friction of ground eganging components of earthmoving machinery.