Influence of design parameters of reclamation rippers on the improvement of agrophysical properties in treated soil

To create an optimal water-air balance of the soil, the ratio of the solid phase of the soil and the pore space should be approximately 1:1. This cannot be achieved without deep loosening, which makes its structure homogeneous and finely lumpy. Racks and V-shaped rippers do this type of work. The latter's advantage is high productivity and uniformity of the soil structure; the disadvantage is the increased traction resistance. To reduce traction resistance, it is necessary to determine the optimal parameters of the cutting angles of the ploughshare (studied from 10° to 45°), and side racks (studied from 13° to 24°), as well as the angle between the side racks (studied from 70° to 90°). Reducing traction resistance will increase productivity and drop energy consumption. The purpose of the research is to find the optimal parameters of the rack ripper. Experimental studies used a three-factor experiment with working organ models in laboratory conditions. The analysis of the results showed that the best parameters of the soil structure were obtained at a cutting angle within 30°-34°; in this case, the soil structure is homogeneous and finely lumpy. The lowest value of traction resistance is achieved at a lateral cutting angle of 13°-16° and an angle between the posts of 90°. The assessment was carried out using fractal methods. The conducted studies have shown that passive V–type rippers have competitive advantages over rack rippers when achieving the best indicators of loosened soil structure (soil density decreased by 28.8%, porosity increased to 43.4%). The creation of a working body with the studied angle parameters will reduce the traction resistance by 1.3 times.