A systematic approach to increasing the traction and energy performance of combined agricultural units
Authors:   Sumy National Agrarian University, Lebedev S. , Korobko A. , Lebedev A. , Shulyak M. ,   Sumy National Agrarian University, Makarenko M. ,   State Biotechnological University
Published: February 2024

Purpose of the study. The search for a rational ratio of the masses of the traction vehicle and the agricultural machine for distributed drive systems from the standpoint of the energy criterion. To achieve the goal, the methodology of increasing the traction properties of the combined agricultural unit is substantiated. Research methods. The methodological basis of the work is the generalization and analysis of known scientific results regarding combined agricultural units using a systemic approach. Analytical method and comparative analysis were used to form a scientific problem, determine the goal and set research objectives. The results of the study. Combined MTA with a decentralized drive of the support wheels of agricultural machines or an additional driving bridge are effective when working on a field prepared for sowing. A power tool with a distributed drive system and ηвп =0.5 has higher energy indicators than a tractor. The traction coefficient of the useful action of such a unit ηвп =0.52÷0.63. For Gsm=8÷10 t and Pkr=70 kN, a power source weighing 12 t can realize up to 40 % of power. For ηвп =0.7 and ηвп =0.8, the traction efficiency reaches 0.64 and 0.68, respectively. During selection, it is expedient to realize from 20 to 60 % of the capacity for ηвп =0.7 and from 40 to 80% for ηвп =0.8 (mcm=6÷10 t). Units with an energy resource weighing 5 t on a field prepared for sowing are effective at Gcm=100.0 kN up to Ркр=40 kN (ηвп =0.7) and up to Ркр=50 kN (ηвп =0.8), and energy resources weighing 12 t starting from with Ркр=40 kN per mcm=2 t. Calculations showed that the decentralized drive system is competitive for ηвп =0.7 on the stubble in the unit with the 4K2 energy source. The traction coefficient of the useful action of the power tool ranges from 0.63÷0.67, that is, it is approximately equal to the maximum traction efficiency of the 4K4 tractor in the traction mode. In the 4K2 energy resource on a field prepared for sowing, the traction coefficient of useful action ηвп =0.58÷0.64 ( =0.7). At selection, it is advisable to realize from 60 to 80 % of the capacity (msm=6÷10 t). The calculations confirmed the theoretical premise that the optimal coefficient of kinematic discrepancy KV decreases with growth: on stubble for ηвп =0.5÷0.65 we have KV=1.135; for ηвп =0.8 – KV=1.1; for ηвп =0.95 – KV=1.0. Conclusion. The use of a decentralized drive on an additional drive axle or the drive of the running systems of agricultural machines allows you to significantly reduce the weight of the MTA, reduce soil compaction, and reduce the type of traction vehicles to three traction classes weighing 2, 5, and 12 tons. Units with a decentralized drive system are competitive in terms of minimum energy consumption with aggregates working in traction mode on the stubble, by =0.7÷0.75; on a field prepared for sowing - by =0.5. The power that should be realized to drive the additional drive wheels increases significantly with increasing weight Gcm. For agricultural machines with a mass of 4–10 t, for =0.7, up to 60% of the power should be realized on the selection, for agricultural machines with a mass of up to 4 t, up to 30% of the power. Key words: combined agricultural unit, operational properties, mass, traction resistance, distributed drive, efficiency factor of the agricultural unit.