The clover thresher with a pneumatic loader, having an inertial louvered counterflow separator, is characterized by a simple design and operation, reliability and durability, convenient arrangement with other elements of the pneumosystem and relatively low hydraulic resistance. The wedge-shaped sedimentation chamber (separator) with a horizontally displaced discharge opening towards the inlet window is equipped with a louvered partition installed at the junction of the inlet and outlet windows. To determine the basic design parameters of the inertial louvered counterflow separator of the clover thresher, the authors experimentally studied the hull of meadow clover with a humidity of 12 to 14% of the following composition: 57.4% of beans with seeds; 16.6% of free seeds; 25.0% of light impurities; 1.0% of heavy impurities. As a result, the main design parameters of the separator have been determined: the length of the louver grille is 210 mm, the pitch, length, angle of installation of the louver plates are 40mm, 50 mm, 30°, respectively, the height of the inlet and outlet windows of the separator is 120 and 280 mm, the height of the outlet windows of the louver and counterflow cleaners is 190 and 80 mm, the depth of the discharge pipe of the sedimentary chamber is 570 mm. The efficiency of the pneumatic loader when feeding 300 kg/h: the amount of released heavy impurities – 100%, light impurities –33.6%, loss of full-fledged seeds to waste – 0.8% hydraulic resistance – 196 Pa. The research results give grounds to recommend this design for application.

Enriching the diet of cows with grain molasses increases the energy value of forage. Lack of data on the grain crumbling force acting in the process of fodder preparation; viscosity and fluidity of grain molasses depending on the type of cereal crop prevents finding possible ways to improve grain molasses production. To solve this problem, the author compared physical and mechanical characteristics of the grain of spring barley (the Raushan variety), winter rye (the Grafinya variety), and spring wheat (the Moskovskaya 35 variety) on the force of crumbling. The study proved that the maximum force of grain crumbling (10 N) is characteristic of barley (1.06 times more than winter rye and 2.00 times more than spring wheat). It was also found that the use of a passive grain crusher with a grating accelerates grain crushing by 15.0% on average. The study revealed the relationship between the force of grain crumbling, circulation time of water-grain mixture in the water circuit of the plant, temperature, kinematic viscosity of water-grain mixture, and the fluidity of grain molasses. The maximum viscosity potential of the water-grain mixture was observed in the temperature range of 34 to 56°C, and the viscosity of water-rye mixture was higher than that of water-wheat and water-barley mixtures. It was found that the use of crushed grain increases the starting value of the mixture viscosity by 10 times as compared to the whole grain. However, at 60°C this difference does not exceed 4% (as exemplified by spring barley). The kinematic viscosity of the finished product during post-fermentation for wheat and barley molasses increases in 2.7 and 1.6 times, respectively, while for rye molasses it decreases in 1.2 times. The fluidity of wheat molasses is 0.129∙10^-3 сP^-1, rye – 0.53∙10^-3 сP^-1, barley – 0.3∙10^-3 сP^-1. To optimize grain molasses production, it is necessary to feed crushed barley into the technological container, or feed whole barley at water temperature less than 30°C; reduce the percentage ratio of wheat grain to water during feeding or add water at the end of the working process.

When preparing compound feeds, the main machines used for grain crushing are hammer crushers. To obtain a better-quality finished product with lower energy costs, it is necessary to determine the optimal design and technological parameters of a hammer crusher. To this end, the laboratory of livestock production mechanization has designed a hammer crusher with sieves in the end surfaces. The hammer crusher has adjustable cross-sections of the sieve holes, so there is no need to replace the sieves. Experimental studies have been carried out at the production facilities of the North-East Federal Agency of Scientific Institutions to determine the impact of changes in structural and technological parameters of the crusher on its main performance indicators. According to the results of experimental studies, mathematical models of the working process of the hammer crusher have been obtained. As a result, the optimal design and technological parameters of the hammer crusher have been determined: the area of the sieve openings 58.6 мм²; the height of the material separation ring 40 mm and the size of the air filter area 6 m², while the throughput capacity of the crusher is 1.23 t/h, specific energy consumption is 3.44 kWh/(t×units of fineness degree), the average size of crushed particles is 1.45 mm, the share of whole grains in the finished product is 0.17%.

The industry of growing grain and leguminous crops is not supported by the production of domestic combine harvesters capable of ensuring the organisation of harvesting operations with a high level of efficiency in the whole range of yields typical for Russian conditions. The analysis of the main characteristics of modern “Rostselmash” combine harvesters in relation to the yield of grain and leguminous crops has revealed the need to improve the range of combine harvesters produced in the Russian Federation. The calculation and graphic method has shown that in the line of domestic combine harvesters there are no models designed for harvesting grain and leguminous crops with yields up to 1.7 tons/ha and from 2.9 to 3.5 tons/ha. The absence of these models leads to higher production costs of cereals in farms, for which this yield is typical. It has been established that harvesting grain and leguminous crops of different yields requires a range of 5 models of combine harvesters. Each of them will have 100% use and maximum efficiency of utilization in the yield range, for which it is designed. The range of models, built according to the proposed principle, will provide the need of any farm in combines for harvesting grain and leguminous crops with yields from 0.87 to 10 tons per hectare. The graphical analysis method facilitates the selection of a rational combine harvester model suitable for local conditions by the criterion of maximum loading of the threshing and separating device.

Designing a seeding unit for the combined sowing of grain crops is a relevant and promising area of the development of sowing equipment. For this purpose, the authors designed a universal pneumatic vacuum-type seeding unit capable of sowing seeds of two crops simultaneously by dotted, combined, and nested methods and providing different sowing rates. Openings of the sowing polymer disc are equipped with built-in metal bushings, located at a 20-mm offset from the disc edge. The polymer material was chosen based on greater efficiency compared to a metal disc: longer life, moisture resistance, lower damage to seeds. The developed sowing disc is equipped with round magnetic pads with a diameter larger than the hole diameter, the ratio between the sowing disc diameter and the hole is 1:20; the ratio between the thickness of the magnetic pad and that of the sowing disc is 1:3. Magnetic pads may have up to four holes with a diameter of 1.5 to 2 mm. Due to this feature the sowing device can sow seeds according to different patterns. When sowing seeds in the dotted method, seeds of one crop are fed into a half-part of the sowing unit hopper, a coulter with one slide is installed and a one-hole disc with a magnetic pad is used. The use of a blind magnetic pad makes it possible to change the distance between seeds in the row.

Diagnostics of the technical condition of agricultural machinery based on machine learning with artificial intelligence employs the accumulated experience to localize the malfunction and makes it possible to evaluate its technical condition in the shortest possible time. New computing devices (built-in diagnostic tools) store and process large amounts of information and reduce the time needed to assess the technical condition of the equipment. To predict malfunctions, the authors analyzed the crankshaft speed of a tractor engine using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm. They developed a counter-indicator and software for the remote control of the engine crankshaft speed. The developed prototype counter-indicator software was tested on the D-243 engine. As a result, remote diagnostics of agricultural machinery revealed the main causes of malfunctions affecting the engine crankshaft speed. The Random Forest algorithm made it possible to “predict” malfunctions with acceptable accuracy: it calculated all values correctly from a sample of 13 values and made 4 errors from a sample of 51 values. Diagnostics with the help of a machine learning algorithm made it possible to assess the technical condition of the equipment in real time without making fundamental changes to the design, and to give forecasts and suggestions for its maintenance and repair.

In conditions of increasing production and turnover of agricultural crops, soil degradation associated with wind and water erosion leads to depletion of fertile land and reduction of crop yields. One of the ways to increase the protective capacity of cultivated areas is deep loosening. The development of methods for assessing the efficiency and forecasting the use of tillage elements, taking into account economic, qualitative and agrotechnical requirements is an urgent task. To provide for the rational choice of a tillage element, the authors compared commercially produced domestic and foreign chisels, their mechanical and economic parameters and agrotechnical requirements for deep tillage of soils in the Southern Federal District. The analysis of mathematical models and methods was applied to evaluate the efficiency of working elements of soil tillage implements. Forecasts of their service life and loosening quality evaluation were made based on the algorithm developed in Matlab. The algorithm was used to calculate the rational utilisation factor of the chisel based on the data of its thickness and angle of installation, the initial size of the soil clod and the degree of crumbling. The rational utilization factor takes into account chisel design parameters (steel grade, thickness, sharpening angle and hardness), economic (price and estimated service life) and agrotechnical (depth of cultivation). Knowing the rational utilisation factor, we can get a rough estimate of the tool quality at the stage of design or purchase. This solution will reduce unnecessary costs, identify design deficiencies, determine the theoretical degree of crumbling by passive working elements and select the optimal tool taking into account economic, qualitative and agrotechnical requirements.

The evaluation of a set of quality properties of agricultural machinery requires the application of multi-criteria optimisation models. A possible solution implies trade-offs, because the evaluated index of one of the criteria cannot be varied at the expense of the evaluation indices of other criteria. The mathematical model for determining the efficiency of objects at individual levels of the multilevel system of agricultural machinery quality assessment implements a universal approach to solving problems with any set of attributes and their varieties. In this case, not only the solutions themselves, but also the algorithms of their search and selection, including procedures for describing conditions (situations), can be subject to systematisation. The authors propose an analytical definition of coefficients according to the formula used to study information states based on the principle of decreasing the importance of priorities between the attributes in the matrix. According to the developed mathematical model with a random set of indicators, the authors have calculated relative importance coefficients for four investigated objects by four attributes and presented the results of data conversion into relative units and normalisation in the “recogniser”. The calculation results show that the developed mathematical model makes it possible to analytically determine the efficiency for any number of investigated objects by a sufficiently large number of attributes and objectively assess their efficiency for individual “recognisers” in the system of quality assessment of agricultural machinery.

Finishing anti-friction non-abrasive treatment (FANT) is one of the highly effective methods of increasing tribotechnical properties of parts (wear resistance and scoring resistance). The lack of highly effective technological media and devices for treating parts, as well as low corrosion resistance of the applied copper-containing coatings restrains the use of FANT. The technology of friction alitising, proposed by the authors, consists in the application of an aluminum-containing protective coating by friction, through the use of an aluminum rubbing tool and the developed technological medium, which includes aluminum salts. The technical alloy of AD1 grade GOST 4784-97, consisting of 99.3% Al, Fe – 0.3%; Si – up to 0.3%; Ti – not more than 0.15%; Zn – up to 0.1%; Mg – not more than 0.05%; Cu – up to 0.05%; manganese Mn – not more than 0.025% and impurities – up to 0.05% was chosen as a material of the rubbing tool. Cylindrical samples were used as the treated part during the elaboration. The technological medium developed by the authors includes salts of copper, tin and nickel, glycerine, glucose and water with additional content of aluminum salts. It has been established that qualitative friction alitising should be carried out in 3 to 4 passes at a sliding speed of the rubbing tool of 0.1 to 0.3 m/s and pressure of the rubbing tool within 5 to 7 MPa. For mass production, the technological process of alitising should include the following operations: cleaning before processing, defecting, friction alitising, cleaning after processing, quality control of coating and preservation of the part – if necessary for long storage.

Hydrodynamic lubrication increases the service life of connections. The quality and durability of connections with hydrodynamic lubrication is determined by functional parameters, including the characteristics of strength, rigidity, wear resistance and accuracy characteristics. In these joints, the accuracy characteristics are gaps, surface roughness of parts, shape deviation and surface arrangement. To ensure the largest supply of materials and parts and the greatest resource, the authors calculated a fit and selected for connecting the plain bearing of the gearbox of the grain drying screw conveyor operating under hydrodynamic friction. For this connection, two fits were chosen by calculation: Ø50H9/g9 and Ø50H7/g6. Based on the rational assignment of the surface roughness of rubbing pairs, it is necessary to assign a fit Ø50H7/g6, which has an accuracy factor of 22. For a fit Ø50H9/g9, the accuracy factor corresponds to 7. The recommended fit Ø50H7/g6 is provided by honing the hole and fine grinding the shaft. It is the fit that provides the largest stock of parts materials for wear and the largest connection resource.

Growing plants indoors in the controlled environment involves the use of LED systems with an adjustable spectrum and intensity with manual or remote control. The aim of the study was to determine the role of different LED emission spectra in growth, development, and yield of lettuce cultivated hydroponically to develop requirements for the LED irradiator design. Studies were carried out in a growth chamber with periodic flooding hydroponics when irradiating lettuce plants of Kuk, Afitsion, and Khrizolit varieties under multispectral irradiators. The first irradiator has a radiation spectrum coinciding with the spectral distribution function of relative photosynthetic activity of solar radiation (control). The radiation of the second one coincides with the function of the spectral sensitivity of plants according to K.J. McCree. The third irradiator has an adjustable spectrum by three control channels for three parts of the spectrum coinciding with chlorophyll synthesis functions. It was found that the response of different lettuce varieties to the spectral composition of irradiation is specific. The maximum yield of the Kuk variety (4.45 kg/m2) was obtained under the first irradiator, that of lettuce Afitsion (4.7 kg/m2) and Khrizolit (6.55 kg/m2) – under the second one. Based on the results obtained the authors made requirements and designed an LED irradiator, which combines all the advantages of LED and digital technologies and provides for the implementation of the required radiation functions for laboratory research and in-vitro plant cultivation. It is noted that the LED module of the irradiator should include LEDs of violet, blue, red, dark red, and far red radiation, as well as LEDs of warm and cool white light colours.

The operation principle of metal detectors used in forage harvesting equipment operating in the harvested area is based on the registration and processing of a signal from sensors that respond to changes in the static magnetic field caused by the movement of ferromagnetic bodies in the area of the magnetic field. The systems based on measuring coils do not meet modern requirements for the level of sensitivity. The authors consider a possibility of using magnetic field sensors based on the Hall effect as sensitive elements. Taking into account the geometric features of the system, each sensing element must be positioned in such a way that the magnetic field generated by two adjacent magnets is perpendicular to the plane of the sensing element. Under this design, the sensitive elements should be located in planes oriented at different angles relative to the direction of the crop supply. When a ferromagnetic object passes through the detection field, it changes the magnetic field density on one or more sensing elements, and the Hall effect sensor outputs a voltage directly proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field. This signal is processed, after which another signal is generated to stop the feed rolls. Efficient real-time signal processing has a positive effect on the speed of response to a foreign body in the machine feeder.

. Ensuring the safety of grain raw materials during storage is an urgent problem. The most efficient and environmentally friendly method is the microwave radiation method. To obtain products that meet the requirements of quality and safety, it is necessary to determine the effective modes of exposure. For this purpose, the decontamination of corn and rice grain depending on the heating rate and time of microwave radiation exposure on the grain was studied on the MkP-1200 unit with the 2450 MHz mode of action. Microbiological indices of grain determined according to standard methodology showed species diversity of microorganisms on untreated grain. Maximum disinfection of rice grain was observed at a heating rate of 0.63 to 0.71°C/s, treatment time of 122 to 171 s. Maximum disinfection of corn grain was observed at a heating rate of 0.6 to 0.69°C/s. The electromagnetic field of ultra-high frequency minimises indicators of microbiological contamination and provides the best indicators of safety and quality of grain during storage.

The new materials about V.P. Goryachkin have been recently found in the archives of the Museum of Agricultural Mechanics named after V.P. Goryachkin (Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy). These finding helped clarify and supplement information about the history of establishing the agro-engineering scientific and pedagogical school by Vasily Goryachkin at Moscow Agricultural Institute – Petrovskaya Agricultural Academy – Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. The newly discovered documents reveal some of the circumstances of the construction of the Machine Testing Station at Moscow Agricultural Institute in 1913, the establishing of the Faculty of Agricultural Mechanics of Timiryazev Agricultural Academy in 1928, as well as further training courses for teachers in the field of agricultural engineering. Documents related to the opening of the All-Union Institute of Agricultural Engineering in 1928 were also introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. Particularly valuable facts concerning the life and work of V.P. Goryachkin, can be found in the earliest memoirs about the great scientist, written by his closest student and long-term colleague Professor B.A. Krill in 1937, two years after the death of Vasily Goryachkin.

In December 2023, it will be 100 years since the date of birth of Nikolay F. Telnov, the veteran of the Great Patriotic War, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Honoured Worker of Science and Technology, Honoured Inventor of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, a talented teacher, the great scientist in the field of intensified cleaning of repairable objects. After passing a difficult frontline way from Orel to Rostock, and graduating with honours from the Faculty of Farm Mechanisation (MIMESKh), N.F. Telnov made his way from assistant, associate professor to Vice-Rector for Science and Education, Head of the Department of Repair and Reliability of Machines of the Moscow Institute of Agricultural Engineers named after V.P. Goryachkin. With his inherent energy and tact he purposefully improved the methodology of teaching technical subjects and developed high morality in graduating specialists. Under the guidance of Professor N.F. Telnov, the founder of the scientific school of agricultural machinery cleaning technology, highly effective detergents, original washing machines and installations were developed and introduced into production, 40 doctoral and candidate theses were defended. Many of his students later became professors, key specialists in the field of technical service of machines. His creative asset boasts 260 scientific and methodical developments. Military and creative labour activity of Nikolay F. Telnov is marked by two Orders “Red Star”, “Patriotic War II degree”, “Labour Red Banner”, medals “For Bravery”, “For Labour Valour” and other government awards.