Determination of Dynamic Loads on Soil-Preparation Machines Used for Potato Planting

Soil preparation prior to planting is a key stage in potato cultivation. The incorporation of a loosening drum into a soil- separating machine helps reduce tuber damage during harvesting. This study presents an experimental approach to investigating the natural oscillation frequencies of the loosening drum, using a soil separator under real working conditions. (Research purpose) To identify the patterns governing changes in dynamic loads acting on the working elements of soil-cultivating machines by means of strain-gauge measurements and oscillographic analysis of vibrational processes in the rotating components of a soil clod separator. (Materials and methods) To determine the natural oscillation frequencies of the clod-breaking working tools of the separator machine, the method of inertial excitation was used. A special laboratory test rig was constructed, consisting of an MGP-35 type direct current motor, a rectifier equipped with a rheostat, and a strain-gauge beam. During the experiment, a vibrator was mounted on a bracket rigidly fixed to the shaft of the soil loosening drum to identify its natural frequency. The adopted strain-gauge measurement scheme for the rotating units of the soil clod separator ensures high measurement accuracy. Oscillatory responses were recorded using a strain-gauge beam made of spring steel and shaped as a cantilever plate. Two strain gauges with a gauge length of 20 mm and a nominal resistance of 200 Ohms each were bonded to the lateral surfaces of the beam to register deformation caused by vibrational loading. (Results and discussion) To determine the natural frequency of the loosening drum, the vibrator was mounted on a drive sprocket with z = 40. The natural frequencies of the first and second shafts of the separating conveyor were determined in a similar manner, with the vibrator mounted on a drive sprocket with z = 13. The strain gauges registered bending deformation of the plate, while the resulting electrical signals were transmitted to an amplifier and subsequently to the oscilloscope galvanometer, which provided continuous recording of oscillograms of torsional vibrations excited by the electric motor. (Conclusions) The experimental results demonstrated that the torsional vibration waveforms of the drive and driven shafts of the elevator, as well as of the loosening drum, exhibit a sinusoidal character with a vibration period of T=0.053 seconds.

1. Chatkin M.N., Fedorov S.E., Bychkov M.V., Zhalnin A.A. Experimental study of the working organ of the deep-­loader. Selskiy Mechanizator. 2022. N2. 12-14 (In Russian) EDN: FXEUJH.

2. Bayboboev N.G., Rakhmanov D.O., Khamzaev A.A. The motivation of the separator-mashine parameters’s influence on the efficiency of soil separation. International Research Journal. 2013. N5-1(12). 93-96 (In Russian).

3. Bayboboev A.N., Kodirov S.T., Akbarov Sh.B. et al. Calculation of the technological process of soil separation with a loosening drum. Scientific and Technical Support for Agriculture. 2019. 60-64 (In Russian). EDN: BBLEMP.

4. Bayboboev N.G., Ramazanova G.G., Goyipov U.G. et al. Optimization of the parameters of the separating working bodies of a potato harvester. Universum: Technical Sciences. 2023. N5-3(110). 28-32 (In Russian). DOI: 10.32743/UniTech.2023.110.5.15475.

5. Aldoshin N.V., Mamatov F.M., Ismailov I.I. Mechanization means for tillage in melon growing. Machinery and Equipment for Rural Area. 2021. N2 (284). 12-15 (In Russian). DOI: 10.33267/2072-9642-2021-2-12-15.

6. Gadzhiev P.I., Ramazanova G.G., Gadzhiev I.P. Development of resource-saving technology and technical means for potato cultivation. Science in the Central Russia. 2024. N1(67). 110-117 (In Russian). DOI: 10.35887/2305-2538-2024-1-110-117.

7. Belousov S.V., Kambulov S.I., Rykov V.B., Turovsky B.V. Kinematics of rotary tillage machines. Proceedings of Lower Volga Agro-University Complex: Science and Higher Professional Education. 2023. N1(69). 509-519 (In Russian). DOI: 10.32786/2071-9485-2023-01-56.

8. Gadzhiev P.I., Ramazanova G.G., Baiboboev N.G. et al. Analysis of dynamic loading of lump-crushing drums as a result of interaction with soil. Machinery and Equipment for Rural Area. 2025. N3(333). 22-28 (In Russian). DOI: 10.33267/2072-9642-2025-3-22-28.

9. Dorokhov A.S., Erokhin M.N., Sibirev A.V., Mosyakov M.A. Energy of soil clod crushing with a separating working tool, depending on physical and mechanical properties of the soil. Agricultural Engineering. 2024. Vol. 26. N4. 4-12 (In Russian). DOI: 10.26897/2687-1149-2024-4-4-12.

10. Mekheda V.A. Modeling of elastic-plastic deformation of near-surface layers of materials. Bulletin of Samara University. Natural Science Series. 2024. Vol. 30. N3. 25-34 (In Russian). DOI: 10.18287/2541-7525-2024-30-3-25-34.

11. Yampolsky D.Z. About the possibility of determining energy of the shock pulse by the method of indicator diagrams. Bulletin of Scientific and Technical Development. 2024. N2(173). 9-15 (In Russian). DOI: 10.18411/vntr 2024-173-2.

12. Lü J., Shang Q., Yang Y. et al. Design optimization and experiment on potato haulm cutter. Transactions on the CSAM. 2016. N47(5). 106-114 (In English). DOI: 10.6041/j.issn.1000-1298.2016.05.015.

13. Izmaylov A.Yu., Kolchin N.N., Lobachevskiy Ya.P., Ky­nev N.G. Modern technologies and special equipment for potato production. Agricultural Machinery and Technolo­gies. 2015. N2. 45-48 (In Russian). EDN: TTLVUJ.

14. Teterin V.S., Panferov N.S., Khortov A.V. et al. Evolution of potato harvesting equipment. Machinery Technical Service. 2025. Vol. 63. N3. 119-126 (In Russian). DOI: 10.22314/2618-8287-2025-63-3-119-126.

15. Zhou J.G., GaoZ.N., ChenJ., YangS.M., LiM.Q., ChenZ., ZhouJ.D. Design and experiment of a self-propelled crawler-potato harvester for hilly and mountainous areas. INMateh Agricultural Engineering. 2021. N2. 151-158 (In English). DOI: 10.35633/inmateh-64-14.

16. Akhalaia B.Kh., Starovoitov S.I., Tsench Yu.S. et al. A combined unit fitted with a versatile working body for surface tillage. Machinery and Equipment for Rural Area. 2020. N8 (278). 8-11 (In Russian). DOI: 10.33267/2072-9642-2020-8-8-11.

17. Lobovskiy M.O., Tukkiya A.L., Pyatkin P.A. Comparison analysis of using micrometers and strain gauges for measuring deformations and loads in the method of monitoring the stress-strain state. Bulletin of Civil Engineers. 2021. N3 (86). 71-75 (In Russian). DOI: 10.23968/1999-5571-2021-18-3-71-75.

18. Adeyanov I.E., Aleksandrova M.Yu. Train gauges in stress-strain state calculation of a non-rigid rod under noncentral tensile. Bulletin of the Samara Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 2024. Vol. 26. N4-2 (120). 244-250 (In Russian). DOI: 10.37313/1990-5378-2024-26-4(2)-244-250.

19. Veremeychyk A.I., Martynov A.V., Dobriyanik Yu.A. Optimization of material for the manufacture of beams for strain gauges. Mechanics of the XXI Century. 2024. N23. 416-423 (In Russian). EDN: DCWWEV.

20. Popov A.M., Mekhdiev R.V.O. Studies of wear and vibration of gears in agricultural equipment. Mechanical Engineers to XXI Century. 2023. N22. 182-186 (In Russian). EDN PAZRIM.