Calculation of the Working Body of a Potato Planting Machine for Applying Mineral Fertilizers Under the Soil

The article presents an in-depth analysis of various structural solutions for the working bodies of potato planting machines designed to apply mineral fertilizers simultaneously with planting operations. Based on the conducted research, an innovative design of a furrow opener was developed, which is equipped with a specialized spreader intended for subsurface placement of mineral fertilizers during the potato planting process. The distinctive feature of this spreader is its configuration—a freely rotating ring outfitted with oppositely oriented blades, which ensures uniform dispersion. Through theoretical modeling and calculations, the optimal geometric and operational parameters of this working unit were determined. The study substantiates that the implementation of the proposed design significantly enhances the uniformity of fertilizer distribution both in terms of lateral spread and depth within the potato ridge, thereby improving agronomic efficiency and contributing to better crop development.