The unit for improvement of degenerated mountainside sections

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The results of RD works on the laboratory prototype of a small disk harrow aimed for operation at mountainsides and capable to improve labor capacity and yield capacity of highland forage lands by 1520% are presented.
 AIMS: The developed laboratory prototype of a module of a mountain tractor-drawn small disk harrow for operation at sections of highland and piedmont areas capable to eliminate weed infestation of soil; to increase fertility and yield capacity of forage lands, to ensure stability of grass areas against deflation and erosion.
 METHODS: The technical examination of the laboratory prototype of the machine was carried out at the highland station of North Caucasian Research Institute of Highland and Piedmont Agriculture in Dargvas village, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania at the altitude of 1540 meters above the sea level and at the slope angle of up to 12. The properties of the testing conditions and the functional properties of unit operation were determined. The technical examination of the scientific documentation of the laboratory prototype of a module of a mountain tractor-drawn small disk harrow for cultivation of soil of highland grass areas was carried out in compliance with the GOST 33687-2015 standard. The subject of the study includes operating tools (the disks), distance between neighboring disks, disk curvature radius, disk diameter as well as the design of operating tools mounting at the frame of a small disk harrow.
 RESULTS: The laboratory prototype of a small disk harrow for soil cultivation at sections of highland and piedmont areas was developed and produced on the basis of a minitractor. The small disk harrow is represented as a tractor-drawn unit with inline arrangement of 9 spherical disks mounted to individual struts. The design of the mountain small disk harrow is provided with the capability of the unit to switch from the right-to-left mountainside operation mode to the left-to-right mountainside operation mode when turning and with the optional mounting of press wheels.
 CONCLUSIONS: Practical use of the module of a small disk harrow ensures reduction of generating processes ofmountainside sections, increases yield capacity of forage lands, ensures stability against water erosion and wind erosion as well as increases environmental stability and efficiency of grassland farming.