Salavat Mudarisov, Ilshat Gainullin, Ildar Gabitov, Eduard Hasanov, Ildar Farhutdinov
Journal of Terramechanics, Volume 89, 2020, Pages 1-12, ISSN 0022-4898
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jterra.2020.02.002. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002248982030015X)
Abstract: Modern agricultural production requires research for new design and layout plans of the track-chained mover, providing a reduction in soil compaction. One of many ways to improve the efficiency of machine-tractor aggregate (MTA) use is to improve the geometry of the support part of the chain-track tractor. Flat geometry of the support part of a chain-track tractor with a semi-rigid suspension creates maximum pressure on soil with the first and last track rollers, which causes increased soil compaction. Research objective is to ensure the uniform pressure on soil from the tractor with a semi-rigid suspension by justifying the geometry of the supporting part of the track-chained mover. Based on experimental and theoretical studies a model of pressure distribution along the length of the support part was developed. Thus, the geometry of the support part of a track-chained tractor with a semi-rigid suspension was substantiated. Pressure decrease on soil and compaction reduction are achieved by changing the geometry of the support part and rational location of the tractor mass center. To achieve the elliptical geometry of the support part of a track-chained tractor with a semi-rigid suspension lower track rollers were placed at different heights. To test the formulas and to study the influence of the support part geometry, of the hitch height and the force on the hook of a track-chained tractor on soil compaction, experiments were conducted. As a model for experiment, the tractor actively used in agriculture was modernized; chain-track tractor T-170M1.03-55 with flat and elliptical caterpillar bypasses. The pressure was measured directly by pressure sensors that were placed into the ground. Soil density in the track left by a track-chained tractor mainly depends on mover pressure and the number of impacts per pass. Track-chained mover makes two impacts on soil with the flat support part. If the support part geometry is changed, the number of impacts on soil is reduced to one. To create typical working conditions for T-170M1.03-55 track-chained tractor the third and fourth support rollers should be lowered by 9.5 ± 1.5 mm, the second and fifth-by 4.5 ± 0.5 mm relatively, which leads to a decrease in the maximum pressure on soil and reduces its compaction in the track left by the mover by 15–25%.
Keywords: Agricultural machinery; Support rollers; Pressure on soil; Strain gauge sensor; Machine-tractor aggregate (MTA); Draw bar power; Soil density