Tillage Machines Research Articles

КОМПЬЮТЕРНОЕ МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ УСЛОВИЙ РАБОТЫ ДИСКОВ БОРОН

The working parts of tillage machines, including harrow discs, wear out and fail during tillage. Basically, they are hardened at the manufacturing stage to increase wear resistance. Conducting tests to verify their operability in order to select the most effective hardening technologies requires a lot of time and material costs. A modern alternative to these tests is the use of computer simulation at the initial stage of the selection and development of hardening technologies. (Research purpose) The research purpose is investigating and evaluating the influence of technological factors on the wear resistance of the working parts of tillage machines, in particular harrow discs, using computer modeling tools. (Materials and methods) Carried out computer simulation of their working conditions using the computational fluid dynamics method by using the SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation program to evaluate the effectiveness and selection of various hardening technologies. We created solid-state disk models that were used to simulate the operating conditions of harrow disks with various parameters. (Results and discussion) As a result of modeling, pressure distribution patterns were obtained, which are a color gradient on the selected surface of the model, showing the values of soil pressure on the disk. The pressure distribution on the disc of the disc harrow in the factory version and with reinforcing rollers at various angles of attack of 10, 15 and 20 degrees and speeds of 6, 12 and 24 kilometers per hour was shown. The patterns of pressure distribution on the disk with various geometric parameters of the applied reinforcing rollers were revealed. (Conclusions) With all the various technological factors presented, the harrow discs with reinforcing rollers showed a decrease in soil pressure on their surface. It was found that the pressure of the soil on the disk is most strongly reduced when applying rollers with a width of 6 and a height of no more than 2 millimeters.

МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ МИКРОРЕЛЬЕФА ПОВЕРХНОСТИ ПОЧВЕННОГО СЛОЯ ДЛЯ УТОЧНЕННЫХ РАСЧЕТОВ РАБОЧИХ ОРГАНОВ НА ПРОЧНОСТЬ

Issues of increasing the reliability of working parts of agricultural machines interacting with the soil surface are discussed in the article. A loading model based on taking into account microroughness of the surface soil layer using a fractal surface model constructed using the diamondsquare algorithm is proposed. It is shown that the parameters of microroughness of the soil surface, calculated using the proposed model, correspond to experimental data obtained by profiling the soil surface during pre-sowing treatment and during the preparation of flax. A comparative calculation of the loading of the needle harrow tooth and the tiller tooth was carried out in accordance with the model of a flat soil surface and a soil surface with a microrelief, modeled according to the proposed model. It is shown that the mechanical stresses in the working bodies interacting with the soil surface, loaded according to the proposed model, are 14% greater during pre-sowing treatment, and 25% greater when preparing flax trust, than when calculated using a model of a flat soil surface. The use of a microrelief model is optimal both when calculating soil tillage machines and when calculating other flax harvesting machines (pulling machines, flax sliver fluffers, balers and other units) that are not intended for direct tillage of the soil, but have contact with it during the technological process.

Justification of the Unit Design Diagram for Mowing Agricultural Crops Simultaneously with Their Stuble Chopping

Abstract The two-phase method is quite widespread when harvesting grain crops and forage grasses. For its implementation, farmers prefer harvesting units with a front-mounted header. The main disadvantage of such units is that after their passage in the space between the swaths of mown crops, open soil falls under the direct influence of sunlight. Subsequently, this leads to an intensive loss of its moisture. A harvesting unit has been designed to eliminate this shortcoming, consisting of a tractor with a front harvester and a soil-cultivating machine (disc harrow) mounted at the rear. The latter chops stubble and soil in the space between the swaths of the mowed crop, contributing to soil moisture conservation. In the diagram plan, the tillage machine can have a swivel or fixed conjunction with the tractor in a horizontal plane. A mathematical model of the harvesting unit plane-parallel movement in the horizontal plane has been designed to choose these conjunctions better. In the study, it is used to analyze the corresponding amplitude (AFC) and phase (PFC) frequency characteristics of a dynamic system when it is working out a control action in the form of the sighting point transverse shift. As a mathematical modeling result, it was found that the fixed conjunction of a tillage machine with a tractor is preferable. In this case, the natural AFC practically approaches the perfect one for servo dynamical systems. The correlation degree between the tractor‘s steered wheels‘ rotation and heading angles increases by almost 37%. As a result, this leads to a significant decrease in this parameter variance fluctuations, which contributes to an increase in the harvesting unit controllability movement as a whole.

Three-Point Hitch Dynamometer for Measuring Tractor-Implement Forces

Highlights A double-frame dynamometer for the three-point hitch of the tractor was presented. The dynamometer offers three-dimensional force measurement of tractor-implement force up to 400 kN. Dynamometer was tested during the in-field measurement using two tillage implements. Maximum achieved tractor-implement force during the in-field measurement was 164 kN. Abstract. Determination of the traction forces between the tractor and its implement is important due to optimal utilization of tractor power and its connected implement, estimation of soil properties or strength, and fatigue studies. The working width of agriculture implements is increasing, which demands higher traction forces. The article presents the design and test in-field measurement of a double-frame dynamometer for the three-point hitch of the tractors, which can measure forces up to 400 kN. The dynamometer is equipped with six force transducers positioned so that force measurement on all axes is possible. The connection of the dynamometer follows the standard ISO 730. The design of the dynamometer and force calculations are presented. The in-field measurement was performed using disc and chisel tillage implements at different tillage depths. The increasing magnitude of the resultant traction force with increasing tillage depth and the effect of the geometry of tillage machines were found. Keywords: Dynamometer, Force measurement, Soil tillage, Three-point hitch, Traction force, Tractor.

Influence of a flat disc on the rectilinear stable motion of the unit of tillage machines

The article discusses the design and operation of a combined unit’s flat disk, which is installed within the unit. The study focuses on the torques caused by forces acting on the unit’s working parts and the conditions for their balancing. The depth at which the flat disk enters the soil and the required diameter to meet this requirement are also presented. The article includes the results of theoretical and experimental studies to determine the shape and area of the disk segment, where the disk’s diameter must be at least 45 cm and the depth of its penetration into the soil is within 14-15 cm.

ГРАФО-АНАЛИТИЧЕСКИЙ МЕТОД ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ НАПРЯЖЕНИЙ В ПОЧВЕННОМ СЛОЕ ПОД ДЕЙСТВИЕМ ДВУГРАННОГО КЛИНА

The study of the stress distribution process in the soil layer is an important stage in the design of tillage machines, particularly tillage working elements. The experimental identification of patterns between the stress distribution zone in the soil layer and the parameters of tillage working elements is a time-consuming process. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct preliminary mathematical modeling of this process to minimize the overall number of experiments. The research purpose: development of a grapho-analytical method that can determine the pattern between the stress distribution zone in front of the dihedral wedge and its parameters. The concepts of classical and agricultural mechanics were used in the research. The methodology is based on scientific methods of cognition such as mathematical modeling, abstraction, analysis, and synthesis. Using the equation proposed by J. Boussinesq, a grapho-analytical method was developed to determine the stresses arising in the soil layer under the influence of the dihedral wedge. This method takes into account the influence of the dihedral wedge parameters and the physical and mechanical characteristics of the soil. The proposed method can be used in the design of tillage working elements. Specifically, to justify the chisel outreach of the blade working element at the stage of theoretical research. It was found that there is a direct proportion between the length of the dihedral wedge and the total area of deformed soil. Thus, as the length of the wedge increased by 83 percent (from 0.05 to 0.30 meters), the area of deformed soil increased by 80 percent (from 0.02 to 0.10 square meters).

Increasing of service life of harrow tooth of soil tillage machines treated by vibro-arc with multirod electrode

Metallographic studies of treated samples of tooth of soil tillage machines by vibro-arc with multirod electrode are carried out, their strength properties and microstructure of deposited layer and heat-affected zone are determined. The use of a multirod electrode during vibro-arc treatment allowed simultaneous introduction of elements of various refractory metal into the surface layer of the part. It is shown that vibro-arc treatment of surfaces with the use of multi-rod electrodes of various refractory and carbon materials increases the hardness of the surface layer more than 5 times.

ТЕХНОЛОГИИ УБОРКИ ЗЕРНА ЭНЕРГО-РЕСУРСОСБЕРЕГАЮЩИМИ МНОГОФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫМИ АГРЕГАТАМИ

The research was carried out with the aim of improving the technology of harvesting cereal crops for the production of competitive products. The work was carried out in 2018-2022 in Krasnodar region. We optimized the parameters of multifunctional units and tested them in relation to harvesting conditions in Kuban. Comparison of machines, complexes, technologies and systems was carried out using a comprehensive assessment method using the Harrington function. The proposed technology with multifunctional units, compared to the basic one, allows reducing labor costs by 1.25 times, operating costs and metal consumption by 1.2 times, and increasing labor productivity by almost 2 times. When analyzing the dependence of the cost of grain yield losses on the duration of harvesting, direct biological yield losses and indirect losses associated with injury to grain by the working parts of harvesting machines were taken into account. A multifunctional unit is proposed, designed for harvesting grain crops with simultaneous pressing of straw. It is based on the use of the serial power unit “Polesie” UES-2-280A, the mounted grain harvester KZR-10 and the straw baler PRP-1.6. A production test has proven the advantage of a rotary threshing apparatus compared to a classic one. The use of combine harvesters with rotary threshing and separating devices reduces grain crushing, compared to threshing machines, by 10 times, microdamage to grain - by 6...8%. Using the three-factor experiment planning method, the optimal duration for harvesting grain crops using the proposed technology with a multifunctional unit was established, which, with a grain yield of 6.8 t/ha, is 5 working days, the working width of the combine header is 5.4 m. Using the proposed unit with one of the trailed machines (straw baler, direct seed seeder, discor or other tillage machine) is quite effective.

INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF OPERATION OF TRAILED SOIL TILLAGE MACHINE UNITS

This work deals with issues related to increasing the stability of the movement of machine units. Manoeuvrability is also one of the most important aspects of machinery, especially trailers. The results of the research carried out in the article allow us to find one of the ways to increase the productivity of trailed machine units, reduce operating costs and improve the quality of agricultural work. In order to increase the productivity and efficiency of the use of machine units, it is necessary to increase the working speed, width of grip, rationally use the agricultural machines that are part of the machine units. The result of improving these indicators can be: lower operating costs for performing mechanized work, reducing the metal consumption of the process of creating machines, shortening the time of work. The current state of the problem is briefly considered, the relevance of the research is substantiated, the purpose of the work is formulated, and the main theoretical principles of the operation of machine-tractor units are presented. A review of scientific works on the outlined issues was carried out, the advantages and disadvantages of the use of combined trailed tillage machines were analysed, the problems that arise when using trailed machine-tractor units were identified, tasks and ways to improve the stability of straight-line movement and manoeuvrability of trailed machine-tractor units were outlined, and also considered different criteria for evaluating their straight-line movement stability and manoeuvrability. The main parameters affecting the stability and manoeuvrability of machine units, and especially combined ones, are considered. The design of the traction coupling device, which increases the indicators of stability of movement and manoeuvrability of trailed machine-tractor units, is described, and a kinematic analysis of the operation of the proposed traction coupling device is performed. The theoretical justification of the problem of the stability of tillage machine units, which consists in the occurrence of external disturbances from the reaction of the soil environment on the working bodies, and as a result, the deviation of trailed machines from straight-line movement, is considered. This deviation is eventually stabilized by the traction force and reappears with the opposite sign, resulting in oscillatory processes described by the laws of vibration. It is to compensate for such deviations that a special construction of the traction-coupling device is designed, which ensures the stability of the unit and ultimately increases its efficiency. Keywords: machine unit, towing links, experiment, operation, turning, manoeuvrability, tractor, tillage unit, traction and coupling device.

New Method of Measuring the Depth of Soil Tillage

The authors propose a new method for measuring the depth of soil cultivation by tillage machines based on a system of inertial position sensors. The block diagram and design of the inertial sensor for measuring the depth of travel of the working tools are substantiated. To test the effectiveness of the new method the bench that simulates the immersion of the working tools of soil-cultivating machines to different depths has been developed. The proposed method was examined on the bench.

Modeling the soil-machine response of secondary tillage: A deep learning approach

Seedbed preparation constitutes a highly important step in the crop establishment process since it directly influences both quality and yield expectation in crop fields. The quality of seedbed preparation is usually assessed by the operator of the tractor or a supervising farmer and thus dependent on qualified field personnel which are scarce today. Subsequent to the visual assessment of the current seedbed structure, a qualified operator can manually adapt the secondary tillage machine in order to optimize resource efficiency (e.g., fuel consumption) while maintaining optimal seedbed preparation according to local soil conditions. In this work, we propose to use an automated approach for real-time in-situ measurement of seedbed quality. Stereo cameras mounted in the front and the back of the tractor provide images and depth-information. Additionally, telemetry data such as working speed, power take-off (PTO) speed, fuel consumption and engine torque utilization of the tractor are logged. Based on this data, we develop a Deep-Learning-based model to predict seedbed quality (measured in form of the Roughness Coefficient), engine torque utilization and engine fuel rate. Thus, we model the interaction of the soil and the machine (soil-machine response) when preparing the seedbed with different machine configurations and environment states. For training and evaluating our model, we collected data from 16 field runs with varying soil types ranging from loamy sand to silty clay in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Based on this data, we demonstrate that our novel model is able to predict the soil-machine response on previously unseen fields with high accuracy – in our setting with a relative root mean squared error (rRMSE) between 12.2 and 14.4 %. Our proposed model has two main advantages: (1) it allows farmers to plan the optimal machine configuration in advance by simulating different machine configurations and thus reduce the complexity for the operator and (2) it can serve as a basis for the training of intelligent control agents.

Study of Physical and Mechanical Properties and Tillage Modes of Soil Under Modern Technological Principles

The availability of information about the physical and mechanical properties of the soil during the operation of tillage machines, including machines carrying out pre-sowing tillage, plays a key role in choosing the technological scheme and working bodies of the machine. The use of advanced tillage machines and technologies first of all requires studying the real situation of the corresponding physical and mechanical properties of the soil. From this point of view, the question raised has the same purpose. The studies were carried out on the territories of intensively agricultural regions and on samples taken from agricultural land. The results obtained during the experiment show that with an increase in the hardness of the soil from only 0.68 to 0.78 MPa, this cannot significantly affect the change in the resistivity of the working body. However, after this limit, an increase in the hardness of the soil significantly resists the working organ. In the course of the study, the physical and mechanical properties of the soil and the operating characteristics of the cutting body of the unit were also studied.

Production as a link in the market of agricultural machinery for crop farming in Ukraine

The production of agricultural machinery and equipment in Ukraine is one of the main sources of supplying the market with resources and facilities for agricultural production, but as of 2023, it does not fully meet its needs. According to the relevance of the subject matter, the purpose of the study was to investigate the trends in the development of the agricultural engineering industry in Ukraine in dynamics, the impact of military operations on it, and to work out effective ways to overcome their negative consequences. The following methods were used: dialectical, statistical and economic, graphical, index, correlation and regression analysis, empirical, comparative analysis, analytical forecasting, abstract logical, etc. The principles of regional placement of agricultural engineering enterprises are defined, depending on the availability of raw materials, energy and labour resources. The structure of enterprises in the industry by category is determined – most of them are small enterprises (85.8-91.5%), but the majority are employed by medium-sized enterprises (59.1-79.3%). Due to military operations, the number of active enterprises in the industry has decreased by about 30 units. The trend of reducing the production of tractors, combine harvesters, and some types of tillage machines in Ukraine and the reasons for its occurrence are revealed. The prospects of production of sowing equipment in Ukraine are substantiated. The index of identified comparative advantages of different countries by individual types of machinery is analysed, and it is found that in Ukraine only tillage machinery has a high level of advantages – 1.802 and has optimistic prospects for development. The paper defines a close correlation between the export and production of tractors in Ukraine in 2010-2021 (the corresponding correlation coefficient – 0.8982). Problems that hinder the development of the agricultural machinery industry are identified: inflation, disruption of logistics links and loss of suppliers, high prices for energy resources, etc. Recommendations for overcoming them are proposed: creating favourable investment conditions; implementing protectionist customs and tax policies for industry enterprises; evacuating them from the war zone. The proposed measures will contribute to the restoration, preservation, and progressive innovative development of the potential of agricultural engineering un Ukraine

ОБРАБОТКА РЕЗУЛЬТАТОВ ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНЫХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО МИКРОПЛАЗМЕННОГО УПРОЧНЕНИЯ РАБОЧИХ ОРГАНОВ И ДЕТАЛЕЙ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ МАШИН

Today, the problem of maintaining the efficiency of complex modern domestic and foreign agricultural machines is quite acute. The working units of agricultural tillage machines operate in an aggressive abrasive environment, which leads to their intensive wear and, as a result, to the loss of geometric shape. This, in turn, leads to a violation of agrotechnical requirements, which significantly affects the yield of cultivated crops. Serial working units of soil-cultivating machines are made of alloy steels of the ST65G type with a working hardness of HRC 55 ... 60. The purpose of the research is to increase the wear resistance of the working bodies of tillage agricultural machines by using the technology of complex microplasma hardening, with the development of a methodology for determining rational modes of processing working surfaces. To evaluate the effectiveness of complex hardening of laboratory samples, studies of the elemental composition of the hardened layer were carried out. Plates made of ST65G steel were used as laboratory samples. Hardening was carried out using various combinations of cermet powders and microplasma hardening modes. Determination of wear resistance was carried out on a friction machine 77 MT-1. The best results were noted after vibro-arc hardening followed by electrospark alloying and the use of a cermet powder consisting of 80% PG-10N-01 matrix powder and 20% B4C boron carbide. Based on the indicators of hardening regimes, Lagrange interpolation polynomials were constructed, which describe the dependence of the amount of sample wear on the current and voltage, an algorithm was developed for determining rational hardening regimes to achieve maximum wear resistance of the studied samples. The microhardness of the surface of products during electrospark hardening increased up to 2 times, and with vibroarc in combination with electrospark alloying and the use of special pastes with cermet powders - more than 3 times. The depth of the hardened surface layer with complex hardening is about 0.3 mm.

MODELING OF THE FLOW ADAPTIVE SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE SOIL TILLAGE

It is well known that one of the significant disadvantages of the development of modern technological processes is the use of aspects of thinking associated with the use of already used design positions. From a practical point of view, there is no single optimal solution for tillage in agriculture. The methodology for solving complex, multipolar problems of quality and efficiency of technology must take into account a significant number of factors and be presented in an accessible form for the response of the working bodies of tillage machines. Precision tillage has great potential. The result of tillage operations can be improved depending on the optimal solution of construction working bodies and technological parameters of cultivating, which, in addition, can be adapted to the tillage technology depending on the local agro-climatic conditions. The article presents the results of the synthesis of the system of adaptive control of soil cultivation by creating a complex technological system with modeling of the structural-matrix schemes and on-stream technological influences of working bodies of machines and external agro-climatic conditions on the agrophysical state of the soil. The research methods are methods of analysis of structural schemes of technological process control systems; system-analog modeling of tillage control systems; structural analysis and synthesis of technological changes in agrophysical indicators of soil tillage. The main results are the structural diagram of the on-stream adaptive control system of the tillage unit for the requirements of precise agriculture; matrix diagram of the imaging and generalized system of equations of on-stream adaptive control of working bodies of tillage machines; system-analog model of the machine-tractor unit with the adaptive control system of working bodies.

IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF RESTORATION AND HARDENING OF THE WORKING BODIES OF TILLAGE MACHINES BY PLASMA-POWDER SURFACING OF CARBIDE ELECTROEROSIVE MATERIALS

The use of powders obtained from solid alloy waste as a highly solid dispersed component of the composition for plasma-powder surfacing will improve the quality, reliability and durability of plasma coatings of working bodies of tillage machines with a minimum of costs for powder materials. However, the properties of these plasma coatings have not been studied enough, so it is necessary to conduct comprehensive studies. (Research purpose) The research purpose is improving the technology of restoration and hardening of the working bodies of tillage machines by plasma-powder surfacing of powder materials obtained by electroerosive dispersion of solid alloy waste T30K4. (Materials and methods) Carbide powders made by electrodispersing solid alloy waste T30K4 in kerosene were used to obtain plasma coatings. We chose for the renovation object a pointed cultivator paw made of 40XC rolled steel. The obtained plasma coatings were studied using modern equipment and complementary methods of physical materials science. (Results and discussion) We have developed, tested and investigated a new technology for restoring and strengthening the working bodies of tillage machines using the example of a pointed cultivator paw by plasma-powder surfacing of carbide electroerosive powder materials. The effectiveness of the development was confirmed by the properties of plasma coatings: the microstructure of the coating has a fine-grained structure, without inclusions, uniform phase distribution and the absence of pores, cracks and discontinuities; elements W, Ti and Co in the coating are evenly distributed; phases of carbides WC and TiC are present; the grain size of the coatings is about 0.3 micrometers; the microhardness of the coatings is about 14245 megapascals. (Conclusions) The results of field tests showed that the resource of the working bodies of tillage machines, restored and strengthened with carbide electroerosion materials, is 1.25 times higher than the resource of new parts.

Energy intensity of the device for lifting the soil of the machine for pre-sowing soil preparation and sowing

The subject of the study is the process of the machine for preparing the soil and sowing sunflower and corn seeds. The technological process of operation of the machine with installed guide passive rotating flat discs with ridges seeding apparatus, seed line, furrow, rotor, separating grid, parallelogram mechanism, spring, plumeshare is described. Studies have been carried out at reducing the energy consumption of the device for lifting the soil by installing support drums between the guide disks, the radius of rotation of which is less than the radius of the disks. It is determined that in order to obtain the minimum values of the kinematic parameter at the lowest energy consumption, the radius of the guide discs must be chosen, based on the conditions of the depth of seed embedding in the soil, the smallest. With an increase in the coefficient of adhesion, the traction resistance of the working section of the tillage machine increases more significantly than the kinematic parameter. Therefore, in order to reduce the traction resistance, it is necessary to strive to reduce the coefficient of adhesion of the drum with the soil.

Forecast for the Adaptive Tillage System

Precision tillage has great potential. The result of tillage operations can be improved depending on the optimal solution of construction working bodies and technological parameters of cultivating, which, in addition, can be adapted to the tillage technology depending on the local agro-climatic conditions. The article presents the results of the synthesis of the system of adaptive control of soil cultivation by creating a complex technological system with modeling of the structural-matrix schemes and on-stream technological influences of working bodies of machines and external agro-climatic conditions on the agrophysical state of the soil. The research methods are matrix methods of analysis of structural schemes of technological process control systems; system-analog modeling of tillage control systems; structural analysis and synthesis of technological changes in agrophysical indicators of soil tillage. The main results are the structural diagram of the on-stream adaptive control system of the tillage unit for the requirements of precise agriculture; matrix diagram of the imaging and generalized system of equations of on-stream adaptive control of working bodies of tillage machines; system-analog model of the machine-tractor unit with the adaptive control system of working bodies.

Mathematical Modeling as a Aspect for Designing Agricultural Machines and Units (Development History Of Southern Urals Scientific School)

This research paper examines the findings presented in the doctoral and PhD theses from the Southern Urals scientific school specifically focusing on the design process of tillage machines and units through the application of mathematical modeling. (Research purpose) The objective of the study is to identify the patterns in designing tillage machines and units and, based on these patterns forecast their potential enhancements using mathematical modeling. (Materials and methods) The paper analyses the creation of mathematical models based on field tests of tillage machine under diverse soil and climatic conditions emphasizing the authors’ optimal design and upgrade decisions (Results and discussion) The research reveals that the design process of soil-cultivating machines progressed through such stages as: empirical design, computational experimentation and the use of computer-aided design. The evolutionary development of research tools demonstrates a gradual convergence between the mathematical models and the actual working conditions of tillage machines and units. Consequently, this enables the improvement and substantiation of tillage machine parameters to meet specific quality criteria for the tillage process, as well as the development of adaptable crop cultivation technologies applicable to various regions’ soil and climatic conditions. (Conclusions) The study concludes that to enhance the performance of tillage machines and units and achieve the desired quality parameters, further research should focus on machine computer-aided design, including the design of vibratory working bodies, utilization of compressed air and electromagnetic fields, creation of highly automated soil-cultivating machines capable of adjusting to specified working conditions, and development of remote control systems for managing tillage and sowing machine operations.

Determination of wear resistance of nickel-carbide alloy coating by atmospheric plasma spray technique on 30MnB5 alloy steel used in cultivator blades

The wear that occurs during tillage in agricultural machinery shortens the material’s life and increases costs. This study investigated the microstructure and morphology of cultivator blades coated with atmospheric plasma spray (APS) process and tested under real field conditions using OM, SEM, EDX, and XRD techniques. Abrasion tests were conducted in an area of 110 hectares and under two different soil moisture conditions. Material properties were investigated using hardness and surface roughness tests. The coating process was successful both mechanically and metallurgically by applying Ni-WC ceramic-metal (cermet) powder on the surface of 30MnB5 steel substrate with APS. The oxide and carbide structures detected on the coating surface by XRD studies resulted in a 1.5 times higher coating hardness. Due to the hard carbide phases in the coating matrix, the grooves on the wear surfaces were shallow and narrow compared to the substrate sample. The surface roughness values of the coated sample were approximately two times higher than the substrate sample. Due to the microstructure and high hardness, the coated specimen experienced three times less abrasion in both humidity conditions. The APS method can be successfully applied to the machined parts of tillage machines. In the near future, the cost of agricultural production can be reduced, and the environment can benefit from this method. In conclusion, this study presents a feasible approach to improving the wear resistance of Ni-WC ceramic-metal alloy by plasma spray coating under real field conditions.