Research in Agricultural Engineering, 2020 (vol. 66), issue 4

Field evaluation of a vibrating dual bent-share cultivatorOriginal Paper

Ali Esehaghbeygi, Milad Abedi, Jalil Razavi, Abbass Hemmat

Res. Agr. Eng., 2020, 66(4):123-130 | DOI: 10.17221/49/2020-RAE  

In this research, the suitability of a vibrating dual bent-share cultivator was studied. Therefore, an eccentric pin-slider mechanism was designed to vibrate the two shanks laterally, using a tractor power take-off. The present study investigates the field performance of the vibrating dual bent-share cultivator with three different vibration frequencies (0, 0.88, and 2 Hz) in a clay loam soil at two working depths (100 and 200 mm) and having a water content of a 0.7 or 0.9 plastic limit. The lowest values of the draught, specific draught, and MWD were recorded at a vibration frequency of 2 Hz and a working depth of 100 mm. The draught force, specific...

Analysis of the physical-mechanical properties of a pelleted chicken litter organic fertiliserOriginal Paper

Anna Brunerová, Miroslav Müller, Gürkan Alp Kağan Gürdil, Vladimír Šleger, Milan Brožek

Res. Agr. Eng., 2020, 66(4):131-139 | DOI: 10.17221/41/2020-RAE  

Pelleted fertiliser production represents improvements in fertiliser management and ensures several benefits, such as a more accurate dosing (less applications), the slow-release of long-lasting nutrients, the possible application during the whole year, easier storage and transportation and better separation of fertilisers and pesticides. The present research investigated the physical-mechanical properties of a pelleted chicken litter organic fertiliser. The pellet samples' particle density ρ (kg.m^-3), mechanical durability DU (%), compressive strengths in the cleft σc (N.mm^-1) and in simple pressure...

Comparison of two electric vehicles in terms of real range in different types of operationsOriginal Paper

Veronika Štekerová, Martin Kotek, Veronika Hartová

Res. Agr. Eng., 2020, 66(4):140-145 | DOI: 10.17221/60/2020-RAE  

Electromobility is currently seen as an effective way to reduce the production of harmful emissions from the transport sector and, thus, prevent further environmental pollution and the associated global warming. The article is focused on the comparison of selected types of electric vehicles (EVs) in terms of real range in different types of operations and environments. Firstly, the driving characteristics and operating parameters of the selected EVs were tested in operation, under different conditions and in different geographical environments. The test drives took place on a pre-selected route, which was the same for all the EVs. The pre-selected...

A study of nanomaterial transportation in the soil by finite difference approximationsOriginal Paper

Jaldair Araújo e Nóbrega, André Luis dos Santos Hortelan, Carlos Henrique Portezani, Eriton Rodrigo Botero

Res. Agr. Eng., 2020, 66(4):146-155 | DOI: 10.17221/71/2019-RAE  

Although there has been an increase in the production and use of nanomaterials; few studies have analysed their contact with the environment and the consequent effects on an ecosystem's health, ranging from the impact on the growth of organisms to the contamination of water reservoirs. This work proposes a tool to study the transportation of nanomaterials in the soil by the finite difference method, modelling the dispersion of nanomaterials into the soil layers to estimate the environmental impact. The model validation was conducted through numerical simulations of manganese and zinc in contact with a compacted latosol. The results show that the nanoparticle...

Physical and mechanical properties of berries and biological features of red currant growth for mechanized harvestingOriginal Paper

Olga Panfilova, Olga Kalinina, Olga Golyaeva, Sergey Knyazev, Mikhail Tsoy

Res. Agr. Eng., 2020, 66(4):156-163 | DOI: 10.17221/11/2020-RAE  

The physical and mechanical parameters of berries and the morphometric features of the structure of the bush growth habit are important criteria in predicting the use of berry harvesting equipment. In this research, six red currant cultivars have been studied. The berry separation force, the crushing force, and the strength of attachment of the berries to the stalk were assigned to the physical and mechanical parameters and were determined using the "PLODTEST-1" and "Dina-2" devices (Russia). For the optimal operation of the berry harvester, the crushing force of the berries must be more than 2 N, the berry separation force must be in the range of...