Reasonable ballasting of wheeled tractors when used in zonal tillage technologies

BACKGROUND: The relevance of reasonable ballasting of a new generation of wheeled 4K4a tractors on single (1k) and dual rear (2k’) wheels with an operating weight adjustable over a wide range when used in zonal tillage technologies is shown. OBJECTIVE: Justification of levels of reasonable ballasting of the new generation wheeled 4K4a tractors in soil cultivation operations. METHODS: The specific weight of the tractor is taken as the main adapting parameter, the reference value of which is the ratio of the operating weight with full ballast to the engine power output in the nominal traction mode for operations of the first group (moldboard plowing) at a velocity of 2.50 m/s (9.0 km/h), ensuring full implementation of potential capabilities. RESULTS: The reference levels of specific gravity based on the results of modeling and experiments are 67.3 (1k) and 70.0 (2k’) kg/kW and determine the maximum value of the operating weight of a tractor of the declared power. For operations with lower energy intensity, the second and third groups, with a nominal velocity of 2.90 and 3.33 m/s, its optimal values are reduced by 16 and 33% respectively, which determines the feasibility of their implementation with minimal ballasting with a specific gravity of 58.0–60.0 kg/kW. At the same time, the reasonable use of a tractor with full ballast is limited to the velocity range of 7.6–10.0 km/h in operations of the first and second groups, and the velocity range of 10.0–13.0 km/h with a minimum ballast when performing operations of the second and third groups. Tractor operation with full ballast during operations of the third group at a velocity of 12–13 km/h is accompanied by an increase in the harmful impact of propulsion on the soil and an increase in fuel consumption to 0.7–0.9 l/h to move each ton of excess mass. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed ballasting options ensure the implementation of the potential capabilities of the new generation tractors at operational tillage technologies with a minimal increase in operating labor intensity.