Systematization of steam cultivators

BACKGROUND: When applied to the soil during the cultivation process, the moisture and air permeability of the layer improves, which favors the activity of microorganisms and the growth and development of plants. The increase in the yield of agricultural crop production directly depends on the level of technology of the new generation machinery. Therefore, the improvement of their designs in order to increase the level of technology of the new generation machinery is a relevant task of the agricultural industry. OBJECTIVE: Systematization and ordering of known designs of steam cultivators, identification of their advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: The method of monographic examination of the structures of steam cultivators, both the machine as a whole and the main working bodies separately, was used on the basis of well-known scientific studies and the results of state tests. Thus, the really working steam cultivators recommended for use in agricultural production were considered. In addition, the patented designs of the working bodies of steam cultivators were analyzed. The efficiency of steam cultivators was determined based on the results of state tests of the Povolzhsky, Northwestern, Siberian, Kuban, North Caucasian, Central Chernozem, Kirov, Vladimir machinery testing stations over the past 10 years. RESULTS: The paper contains a review of steam cultivators and their designs. The classification of cultivators by 3 types is given: by the type of main working bodies (paws); by the type of additional working bodies (rollers, harrows, rods); by the type of attachment to the tractor (trailed, mounted). Their advantages and disadvantages are considered. A review of studies on improving the designs of steam cultivators to improve the tillage quality and to reduce energy consumption for tillage is given. The working bodies (paws), the frame parts for mounting the main working bodies, the strut and the design of additional working bodies of steam cultivators are being modernized. Theoretical studies on improving the efficiency of cultivators are considered. The conditions for achieving and improving the tillage quality with a steam cultivator are revealed by determining the relationship of parameters with the indicators of the technological process. The application of computer simulation modeling in solving theoretical problems of study of the new working bodies is considered, advantages and disadvantages are revealed. CONCLUSIONS: The systematization of steam cultivators presented in this paper is helpful to determine ways to further improvement of them.