ROLLER SHREDDER FOR STUBBLE RESIDUES OF HIGH-STEMMED CROPS
Introduction. The sunflower crop is widespread due to its high profitability and the unique nutritional value of food made from the raw material base of this crop. In the Russian Federation, sunflower production occupies a leading place in the agroindustrial complex of the country. To prevent soil depletion and to continuously obtain high and stable sunflower yields, it is necessary to strictly observe the agrotechnological rules of sunflower cultivation. However, the technologies of sunflower production are quite costly and complicated. Object. During active vegetation, sunflowers consume a significant amount of minerals from the soil, and the agro-technology includes operations for feeding the crop. In this case, the substances received go both to the seeds and cumulated in the leafy mass of the plant. The technical solution proposed in this article allows effective shredding of crop residues, which accumulate a large amount of valuable minerals. Reducing the size of field residues after the passage of the shredder improves the process of decomposition of field residues and contributes to the accumulation of minerals in the soil for subsequent feeding of cultivated plants. The technological process of shredding crop residues of high-stemmed crops is the object of the research. Materials Methods. To extract the substances accumulated in the stems of plants it is necessary to crush them and mix with the upper layers of the soil for their decomposition and saturation of the soil with minerals. In doing so, the shredded stems and crop residues mixed with the soil help reduce foci of diseases and infections. However, the sunflower stalks left «standing" in the post-harvest period not embedded or not harvested, have a negative impact on tillage machines carrying out preparatory operations for the subsequent use of these areas in the farm rotation. As a result, these stems clog the working bodies of tillage tools, violating the agrotechnical requirements of cultivation. To combat this phenomenon, the industry produces implements that provide rolling of stalks with simultaneous crushing and embedding them into the surface layers of the soil. These units are made as thick-walled cylindrical working tools with a diameter of 450 to 800 mm and placed on the outer surface of longitudinally installed knives. At the same time during the operation of these units not all stubble remains of high-stemmed crops are qualitatively crushed and embedded in the soil. It is connected with the longitudinal position of the cutting tools. Results and conclusions. The paper presents the construction of a roll chopper of high-stemmed sunflower stubble residues allowing high-quality shredding of "standing" stems with simultaneous shredding of stubble residues. The suggested design of the roller chopper of high-stemmed crops increases the productivity of tillage units, improves the quality of shredded residues, and allows one to achieve their compliance with agrotechnical and dimensional indicators. In this case, the energy and economic costs in the technology of cultivation of high-stem crops on the example of sunflower are reduced.