Optimizing the Parameters of a Universal Unit for Fodder Grinding

Introduction. The diversity of the fodder base and livestock in farming enterprises requires various processing lines and technological tools for fodder preparation. Most commonly, a high cost of these technological tools makes their use economically unfeasible. Therefore, an urgent task is to create compact technological tools for mechanizing the main processes of fodder preparation in farming enterprises.Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at investigating the main structural-and-technological factors affecting the fodder grinding by a hammer-segment grinding tool with more efficient energy consumption indicators.Materials and Methods. The subject of the study is an experimental setup of a universal grinder with a combined hammer-segment grinding tool. During the study, optimization criteria were found and key factors influencing the grinding process were identified. There was investigated the influence of key factors, such as the rotor rotation speed and the rate of raw material feeding into the grinding chamber, on such optimization criteria as energy consumption and grinding process quality. The experimental studies were analyzed to determine the optimal combination of parameters. During the experiments, the rotor rotation speed was adjusted through changing the supply voltage frequency and the feeding of raw material of a specific mass was carried out at regular intervals. The quality of grinding was determined by the granulometric composition and the average length of the fodder particles, while the energy consumption of the grinding process was measured using an alternating current power meter. To construct a mathematical model, there was used a central composite rotatable design of the second order for two factors.Results. Based on the obtained data, there have been identified optimal parameter combinations for effective fodder grinding in accordance with zootechnical requirements and at minimal energy consumption for the grinding process.Discussion and Conclusion. The main factor affecting the energy consumption of thegrinding process is the fodder supply into the grinding chamber. The primary reason forthe increase in energy consumption is the increase in grinding force in each segment of the working tool caused by increasing the density of fodder passing through the grinding tool per each unit of time. The data obtained during the experimental study make it possible to optimize the working process of the developed universal grinder for fodder grinding to feed cattle in livestock farms.