Dynamic Study of Planetary Drive Mechanism in the Orchard Rotary Tiller

Abstract

The second article of the series considers the issues of inter-row and near-trunk land cultivation in orchards.
As a result of the study and analysis of the literature, a classification and comparative evaluation of the existing machines
intended for the cultivation of the mentioned areas was implemented. Both the advantages and disadvantages of rotary
tillers with horizontal and vertical rotation axis were indicated. It has been stated that from the prospect of agro-technological
and technical requirements of the mentioned machines, rotary tillers with vertical axis are preferable, which, anyhow, need
to be upgraded. Based on the above stated, it has been recommended to select planetary mechanism with external gear as
a transmission mechanism for the rotary tiller, which will enable to provide high rotation numbers for the disc of the tillers’
blade in case of relatively fewer rotation numbers of the rotor.
It is theoretically justified and experimentally confirmed that from the point of view of effective tillage and a sharp decrease
in the traction resistance of the unit, the optimal number of satellite cutters is three, located at an angle of 1200 to each
other, and the number of knives is two, with a symmetrical arrangement.
The expressions derived in the result of dynamic research on the recommended mechanism, enable to identify the optimal
geometric parameters for the installation of the tillers’ disc knives, in case of which the resistance force factors of the
cultivated medium, including the traction resistance force of the unit will assume the possible minimum values in conditions
of the stated regime.