Rationale for Modernizing the Drive System of Wide-Capacity Irrigation Machines

The article is devoted to solving an urgent problem of the operation of wide–range circular sprinkler machines - intensive track formation and increased energy consumption when moving end trolleys through waterlogged soil. The aim of the study is to develop and verify a comprehensive rheological model that makes it possible to predict track formation and optimize the parameters of running systems to minimize the negative impact on the ground. The rheological approach is used as the main method, considering the soil as a nonlinear elastic-viscous-plastic medium. The developed three-parameter model takes into account multiple passages of propellers, rheological properties of the soil, geometry of pneumatic wheels and rigid wideners. The model describes the process of track formation through a system of equations that include determining the reduced wheel diameter, the length of the contact spot and the depth of the track at each pass, as well as the rolling resistance force. The model was verified using the example of the Kuban-LK1 and Fregat sprinklers. The calculated track depth for the base tire 18.4R24 after the 5th pass was 0.231 m, which almost completely coincided with the experimental data (0.230 m), confirming the high reliability of the model. A comparative analysis of the three chassis configurations has shown that the most effective solution is to equip the end bogies with 18.4R24 base tires with rigid wideners. This configuration reduces track depth by 37.4% (up to 0.132 m) and rolling resistance by 34.8% compared to the basic version. It is established that the optimal effect is achieved with the ratio of the widener and pneumatic wheel radii in the range r/R=0,7-0,8, which ensures the entry of the widener into operation on the 3rd ...4th pass and effective track stabilization. The developed model serves as a tool for substantiating the parameters of running systems, making it possible to significantly increase the operational reliability of sprinkler equipment, reduce energy consumption and minimize soil degradation.