Virtual Modelling and Laboratory Research of Parameters of Planting Unit’s Working Parts

Research relevance is determined by the need of agricultural producers of Nizhny Novgorod Region to increase the profitability of sugar beet cultivation and to reduce seed losses at sowing. Another important factor is optimal energy efficiency of sowing machines, which can be achieved by reducing the draft force input required to operate the working parts. Leading approach to the research of this issue is to conduct a multifactorial laboratory experiment, taking into account several factors that have the greatest influence on the process of interaction of working parts with the soil. Virtual simulation methods were applied with use of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) FlowVision®(TESIS Group) engineering analysis system, allowing creation of close-to-real controlled conditions. Relationships between the lift angle and the span angle of a duckfoot opener were identified; influence of soil moisture content, speed of working parts and their working depth on draft force input and quality of the formed seedbed was determined with justification of their optimal combination. Presented technology and the planting unit assure the technological process quality, they are of practical value for agricultural and engineering companies, as well as for research institutes for design of modern agricultural machinery.