Analytical Substantiation of the Design Parameters of an Agro-Bridge Machine

Abstract

The article presents an analytical substantiation of the design parameters of an agro-bridge machine intended for the implementation of bridge farming technology in precision agriculture. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to reduce soil compaction caused by repeated passes of conventional agricultural machinery and to improve the efficiency of land use during field operations. Bridge and controlled traffic farming systems make it possible to localize the movement of machinery within permanent traffic lanes, while the cultivated area remains free from the direct impact of running gear. However, the practical application of agro-bridge machines requires a scientifically based choice of their main structural parameters, among which the span length of the supporting frame is of primary importance.

The study proposes an analytical model for determining the useful field area depending on the span length of the agro-bridge machine. The model takes into account the total field dimensions, the number of working strips, the area occupied by guide tracks, residual strips formed when the field width is not divided evenly by the machine span, transport lanes, and the service area for the agro-bridge. In addition, the specific metal consumption of the structure is introduced as an important indicator for evaluating the feasibility of increasing the machine span. This makes it possible to assess not only the land-use efficiency but also the material intensity of the supporting structure.

Calculations were performed for a rectangular field 180 m wide and 500 m long. The obtained results show that the land-use coefficient changes unevenly with an increase in the span length. The highest values are achieved when the field width is divided into an integer number of working strips without residual areas. At the same time, increasing the span length leads to a significant increase in the estimated mass and specific metal consumption of the frame. Therefore, the maximum land-use coefficient cannot be considered the only criterion for selecting the span length.

It was established that, under the accepted conditions, a span length of 18 m provides a rational compromise between land-use efficiency and structural material consumption. This option ensures division of the 180 m field width into 10 working strips, eliminates residual field areas, provides a land-use coefficient of 0.946, and maintains an acceptable level of specific metal consumption. The obtained results can be used in the design of agro-bridge machines and in the planning of infrastructure for bridge farming systems in precision agriculture.