Improving the efficiency of the grain harvesters straw grinder due to additional effects on the processed mass

BACKGROUND: Applying organic fertilizers is an important condition for ensuring stable yields. The preparation and use of traditional types of organic fertilizers requires significant costs. Crushing and embedding of plant residues in the soil is a promising agrotechnical technique, therefore, it is necessary to modernize the straw grinder of a combine harvester for optimal mechanical action. AIM: assessment of the energy consumption of the flattening process in conjunction with straw crushing. METHODS: The object of the experimental study is the straw of grain crops and the process of various types of mechanical impact. The research was carried out on a developed laboratory installation that allows changing the number of cycles and the values of forces on the material under study in order to determine the maximum compaction at a certain straw flattening force and the energy intensity of this process. RESULTS: It was found that with an increase in the number of subsequent loads, the degree of compression of the straw increases, but for use in a combine harvester, a single load is sufficient for the degree of flattening of the straw to reach 70%. It is worth noting that flattening dry straw does not require a very large effort, which means that the energy consumption for the flattening mechanism will be small — about 5 joules. CONCLUSION: Accounting for energy consumption for flattening straw can be used in the design of special devices and devices.