Repeated impact of the running gear systems of heavy machines employed in agriculture leads to soil compaction and increased soil hardness, which consequently results in higher traction resistance. The use of compressed air in combination with traditional working tools of soil tillage machines is expected to reduce soil friction against the machine’s working tools, increase the looseness of the treated layer, and expand the deformation zones of the cultivated areas.

   The research aims to develop a soil treatment method that supplies compressed air to the working tools of soil tillage machines, ensuring a reduction in traction resistance and the restoration of soil structure.

   Compressed air induces soil deformation and loosening by detaching a soil layer without compressing or crushing it, after which the machine’s working tools contact the already loosened medium. To verify the theoretical assumptions, the authors performed soil treatment operations using a machine-tractor unit consisting of a tractor, a KV-5/10 screw compressor unit, a chisel cultivator with specially designed working tools, and a pulsating compressed air supply system. Experimental results confirmed the effectiveness of using compressed air in soil tillage operations by means of chisel working tools and air supply nozzles with diameters of 3 and 5 mm. At a pressure of 0.9 to 1.1 MPa and a pulse frequency of 10 Hz, the chisel working tools demonstrated improved stability as to the depth of operation; soil crushing increased, and the depth and width of the loosening zone expanded by 30 to 90 %. At the same time, traction resistance decreased by up to 33 %, and productivity increased by 12 to 68 %. Further research should focus on justifying technological parameters, operational modes, and nozzle diameters for various tillage operations and soil-climatic conditions. Additionally, it is possible to integrate a system for differential liquid fertilizer injection and a drive for the screw compressor unit from the tractor’s power take-off shaft.

   Obtaining a high-quality flax press depends on the work of the working tools of the flax stem strip fluffer and its design features. To improve the design of the unit, the authors proposed to consider a flax stem strip fluffer as a model for the functioning of dynamic systems using the principle of system analysis.

   The study purpose was to develop a dynamic model of a flax stem strip fluffer as a complex dynamic system.

   The methodology involved a comparative analysis of the effect of the structural parameters of the microrelief field on the oscillations of the fluffer in the horizontal and longitudinal-vertical planes. The authors obtained a dynamic model of the fluffer and carried out an in-depth analysis of its dynamics in field conditions. Strain gauge measurements were performed on flax stem strips that had been stored for some time at the working speed of the developed experimental unit, ranging from 2.2 to 5.0 m/s. Statistical analysis of the input surface irregularities Z(t) showed that this process obeys a normal distribution law and has a low-frequency character: ωс = 0 to 5 s⁻¹. Moreover, the process of changing the input impacts Z(t) causes horizontal-longitudinal and vertical-longitudinal oscillations of the fluffer, which alters the depth of engagement of the teeth ends of the fluffing drum with the flax surface and affects the output quality parameters. Devices were developed to reduce the influence of soil irregularities Z(t) on quality indicators by increasing the smoothness of the fluffer operation. As a result, the authors manufactured a flax stem strip fluffer having the considered units. Testing the fluffing device with improved smoothness over an area of 22 hectares at speeds of 4.2 to 5.5 m/s demonstrated a 27 % increase in process reliability and improvements in quality indicators (fluffing completeness – 98.8 %, an increase in stem strip stretch – 1.3 %, an increase in retting unevenness of stem strip – 5.2 %).

   Production of high-quality seed material from perennial grasses ensures high yields of crops intended for cattle fattening. Previously, the authors developed the KS-0.3P clover grater-scarifier, which includes a frame, a housing with a rotating drum inside, an oval-type deck with scarifying plates, a receiving hopper, a feeding device, a pneumatic separation channel, a cyclone, and a fabric dust collector.

   The purpose of this study is to determine the agrotechnical indicators of the KS-0.3P clover grater.

   Along with the agro-evaluation of the clover grater for rubbing out seeds from clover wad and scarifying Caucasian goat’s rue (Galega orientalis) seeds, the authors conducted an energy assessment of the machine. Clover wad seeds met the technical requirements: moisture content – 3.7 %, free clover seeds – 1.12 to 2.81 %, crushed seeds – 0.02 to 0.30 %, coarse straw impurities – 0.1 to 0.3 %. Caucasian goat’s rue seeds met the “reproductive seeds” category according to GOST R52325-2005. In three experiments, the feed rate of clover wad was 0.28, 0.39, and 0.46 t/h, and for Caucasian goat’s rue seeds – 0.28, 0.37, and 0.49 t/h. As a result of the tests, the agrotechnical indicators of the KS-0.3P clover grater were determined. For rubbing out seeds: productivity – 0.39 to 0.46 t/h, rubbing-out degree – 95.4 to 95.6 %, seed crushing – 0.1 to 1.0 %, effect of separating light impurities – 73.6 to 77.7 %. For scarification: productivity – 0.37 to 0.49 t/h, scarification degree – 95.8 to 96.5 %, seed crushing rate – 0.3 to 0.8 %. The specific electricity consumption in three experiments for seed rubbing out was 3.28; 3.79; and 4.75 kWh/t; for scarification – 4.32; 4.62; 6.12 kWh/t (according to the technical specification, not more than 12.0 kWh/t). All indicators met the technical requirements. The safety assessment of the clover grater design showed the absence of non-compliance with requirements. Noise level and dust concentration in the working area air were 80.0 dBA and 3.8 mg/m³, which do not exceed regulatory values. The KS-0.3P machine is recommended for use in agricultural production.

   Optimal performance of an indented cylinder separator relies on carefully selected settings and operating parameters. To enhance the cleaning efficiency, the authors conducted experimental studies to determine rational operating modes. The obtained results demonstrate that increasing the cylinder speed from 36.0 to 39.0 rpm at a feed rate of 1840 kg/h reduces residual mass by a factor of 2.77. At this feed rate, a free section of the cellular surface forms, reaching up to 0.75 m, which can increase residual contamination. Increasing the feed rate to 4420 kg/h reduces this free cellular surface to only 0.2 m. The authors observed that the effective speed ranges broaden as feed rates are increased. Within these ranges, grain separation intensity initially increases by 4.1 to 26 %, but then stabilizes due to less effective grain capture. Importantly, inclining the cylinder by 1° significantly equalizes grain separation intensity. This equalization minimizes process losses and reduces the risk of increased residual grain contamination under consistent operating conditions. By utilizing the established operating speed ranges for different loading values of an indented cylinder separator, one can ensure acceptable process losses, ranging from 0.99 to 2.38 %,

   Effective grain pre-cleaning in compound feed production demands compact, energy-efficient separators with simple designs, like gravity separators. To optimize the design of these separators, specifically, the slotted opening geometry, to ensure maximum separation efficiency, the authors developed a novel algorithm based on a systematic approach and mathematical modeling of grain separation. The simulations made by the authors revealed that successful passage of a grain particle through the slot requires its velocity relative to the separator surface to exceed a critical threshold. The authors present a flowchart and algorithm to calculate the key parameters of grain separation, modeling particle flow through the slotted openings. Given specific separation conditions and particle size, this algorithm helps determine the critical velocity and ensure optimal separation, even considering random factors. The algorithm testing, involving variations in slot width and height difference between opposite acceleration surfaces, demonstrated a close match (within 9 % deviation) between predicted and experimental separation intensity, validating the model’s accuracy. The algorithm provides a powerful, cost-effective tool for exploring the impact of material properties and the gravity separator design on overall separation performance.

   Cattle fattening farms utilize both dead-end and ring configurations for water supply systems and their individual subsystems. While ring systems provide uniform pressure and consistent water temperature in automatic watering subsystems, they incur higher material and installation costs. Dead-end systems, conversely, are shorter and less expensive but fail to provide water circulation. This absence of circulation in cold weather can lead to water cooling or even freezing at dead ends, potentially causing pipeline damage and negatively impacting livestock health and productivity.

   This research aims to improve the design of dead-end automatic watering systems by ensuring a stable temperature mode and enhancing operational reliability.

   By systematically analyzing scientific data and existing technical solutions for livestock water supply and automatic watering, the authors developed a modernized water supply system featuring an automatic watering subsystem with a regulating tank. This subsystem, designed as a “pipe-in-a-pipe” configuration, enables periodic water circulation, maintains water temperature within specified limits, and prevents thawing. The article presents a hydraulic calculation method for determining the optimal vacuum depth in a humidifier. The calculations indicate that this “pipe-in-a-pipe” design reduces system cost by 15-20 %, improves reliability, maintains water temperature in automatic drinkers within 12-15 °C, and lowers installation and maintenance expenses by 10 %. These results will facilitate the future production of an upgraded automatic watering system and further study of its operational parameters.

   The intensification of the submersion cleaning process of parts depends on the physicochemical activity of the cleaning fluid and the mechanical force of the fluid’s impact on the surface being cleaned. A promising method for intensifying submersion cleaning is to produce ultrasonic oscillations in the flow of cleaning fluid. The authors conducted research to justify the feasibility of using ultrasound to intensify the submersion cleaning process of parts and to determine the optimal values of the technological parameters of the intensified process. The cleaning process was carried out in a submersion washing machine, which is a tank with a basket rotating in the cleaning solution, equipped with two submersion-type ultrasound sources attached to its walls. Mesh filtering elements of hydraulic systems, having oil-and-dirt contamination on their working surface, were used as the cleaning object. An aqueous solution of the technical detergent Labomid-203 was used to clean the filtering elements. Experimental studies were carried out at the following parameters: cleaning solution temperature of 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C; detergent concentration in the solution of 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/l; cleaning duration of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 min; ultrasonic oscillation frequency of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 kHz, and ultrasonic oscillation intensity of 1, 2, 3 and 4 W/cm². To assess the cleaning quality of the filtering elements from contamination, use was made of a weighing method. The optimal values of the technological parameters of the intensified cleaning of filtering elements were experimentally determined: oscillation frequency – 30 kHz, oscillation intensity – 3 W/cm², detergent concentration in the solution – 14 to 17 g/l, cleaning solution temperature – 50 to 55 °C, cleaning duration –10 min. The study confirmed the feasibility of using ultrasound to activate the cleaning fluid when intensifying submersion cleaning.

   Finishing antifriction non-abrasive treatment (FANT) ensures increased wear resistance of restored friction surfaces. Enhancing the wear resistance and scoring resistance of the resulting coatings requires clarification and strict adherence to coating application modes, namely, the pressure of the rubbing tool on the surface being treated.

   The research objective is the theoretical determination and experimental verification of the required pressing pressure of the rubbing tool for frictional application of a high-quality anti-wear coating.

   Based on theoretical studies, the authors have developed a mathematical relationship to determine the necessary pressing pressure of the rubbing tool in the friction-chemical method of applying a high-quality anti-wear coating. Experimental results confirmed the theoretical calculations of the required application pressure of the rubbing tool in the anti-wear coating application zone, equal to 17.5 MPa, which is consistent with the results of other studies (10 to 20 MPa). Finishing antifriction non-abrasive treatment of crankshaft journals was carried out on a lathe at the following modes: anti-wear coating application speed – 0.25 m/s, required pressing pressure of the rubbing tool – 17 to 18 MPa, minimum number of working passes – 4. Two structural materials were used in the rubbing tool: brass L 63 GOST 15527-2004 and aluminum alloy AD-31 GOST 4782-97. A new technological fluid (medium) has been developed for the FANT process, the application modes have been optimized, and a new material (aluminum) has been used for the rubbing tools. The research results indicate the need to use additives containing chemical compounds of copper and aluminum to preserve the anti-wear and antifriction properties of the treated parts in the subsequent operation of automotive equipment.

   Conditions of agricultural machinery operation necessitate improving the operational characteristics and service life of parts. Polymer composite materials, unlike metals, are not subject to corrosion and have a long service life.

    Research was conducted to determine the influence of the type and concentration of a diluent on the rheological and technological properties of epoxy composites intended for manufacturing the exterior parts of agricultural machinery.

   Special attention was paid to studying the effect of the diluent on the viscosity and microstructure formation of the composite. Epoxy resin ED20 was used as the polymer matrix, and the filler was an emulsion glass mat EMC450-1250-E. Two types of diluents were investigated: inactive (white spirit and solvent 646) and active (DEG-1). The viscosity of the mixtures was measured according to GOST 25276-82 using a rotational viscometer. The porosity of the composite was determined by a multi-parameter microscopy method. The authors studied the relationship between the viscosity of ED-20 epoxy resin and the addition of active and inactive diluents at 5, 10, and 15 wt. %. As a result of the research, the active diluent DEG-1 was selected. An analysis was conducted of the porosity in the composite material based on epoxy resin and glass mat with 5, 10, and 15 wt. % of the DEG-1 diluent. Experimental results showed that the introduction of DEG-1 significantly reduces the resin viscosity, facilitating better penetration into the fibers of the filler. The optimal concentration of the DEG-1 diluent was determined to be 10 wt. %, which provides a 60 % reduction in resin viscosity, uniform distribution in the glass fiber matrix, and minimal porosity in the composite material (30 pores/cm²). For manufacturing polymer composites for exterior parts of agricultural machinery, it is recommended to use the DEG-1 diluent at a concentration of 10 wt. %.

   Abrasive wear causes widespread failure of agricultural machinery parts and assemblies. Electrical contact welding (ECW) of metal tapes is a common method for restoring and reinforcing these parts with functional coatings. The properties and quality of the resulting coatings are influenced by both regulated (welding current, speed, and feed rate) and unregulated ECW parameters, as well as the size of a single welding site (SWS).

   This study aims to develop calculation formulas for determining the SWS dimensions and the filler material upset during ECW of a metal tape.

   The authors have established that the elliptical SWS dimensions depend on compression force, the diameter of the restored surface, electrode width and diameter, and physical and mechanical properties of the mounting material (hardness, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio). While material properties like elasticity and strength are inherent, SWS size can be adjusted by manipulating compression force and/or electrode dimensions. However, altering the compression force affects contact characteristics of the surfaces in the joint area, electrical resistance, and the degree of plastic deformation, which ultimately influences coating quality. Through theoretical research using physical and mathematical models, the authors have derived a mathematical model for calculating SWS geometric parameters for ECW. Calculations based on these dependencies confirmed previous findings: achieving the recommended 30 % plastic deformation (upset) of filler material for a 40 mm diameter part requires an electrode width of 6.3 to 9 mm, while a diameter of 80 mm requires 4.6 to 6.4 mm. The use of these SWS calculation formulas will improve the quality and efficiency of electrical contact welding.

   Remotely controlled airships offer promising solutions for terrain monitoring, livestock observation, and relaying signals from ground-based sensors in agricultural settings. Controlling an airship’s altitude by adjusting the gas temperature within its working volume presents an efficient approach. This can be achieved through rapid and uniform electrical heating of the gas using onboard power. This article proposes a parallelepiped-shaped electric heater, positioned inside the airship’s working volume, where the edges of the parallelepiped act as high-resistivity, current-conducting elements. To minimize weight, the design reduces the number of thick wires by supplying electrical energy from the onboard battery to two of the most distant points on the heater. The key design criterion is achieving a uniform heat release rate per unit length across all current-conducting elements. To determine the necessary parameters, the authors developed an algorithm to calculate the required resistances. Based on Kirchhoff’s laws, they established the relationship between element resistances, power source voltage, and current distribution. The algorithm incorporates additional conditions to solve three systems of 25 algebraic equations, linking the electrical parameters. The results demonstrate that the ratio of maximum to minimum element lengths, the source voltage, and the desired power uniquely determine the resistances ensuring uniform heat release per unit length across all elements. Furthermore, the algorithm identifies conditions for adjusting power and heat release by modifying the electric heater’s resistances. The presented algorithm enables rapid calculation of resistance values for the current-conducting elements, guaranteeing consistent heat generation throughout the branched
electrical circuit.

   The relevance of this research stems from the need to enhance linguistic support for career guidance activities in agricultural universities, taking into account the actual motivational attitudes of students.

   In the context of the modernization of the agro-industrial complex, the importance of not only technical training but also a clear understanding of the underlying meaning-making processes that guide young people in their career choices is increasing.

   The aim of the study is to identify and describe a semantic model of professional self-determination among agroengineering students through the analysis of their motivational statements, with the intention of applying this model in career guidance practices.

   The empirical part of the study employed an adapted open-response test of principal career-motivating factors, conducted among students of P.A. Stolypin Omsk State Agrarian University. Semantic analysis of the students’ verbal representations revealed ten key semantic clusters, which were grouped into three meaningful blocks: a value-semantic core, a block of rational-pragmatic meanings, and a block of socio-contextual meanings associated with career choice. These clusters form a semantic model that reflects the meaning structure of professional choice. The semantic approach allowed professional self-determination to be interpreted as a verbal manifestation of personal meanings. The results obtained may be used to develop career guidance strategies that speak the language of prospective students’ values, interests, and expectations.