MODERN APPROACHES FOR CALCULATING ROD STABILIZATION SYSTEMS FOR WIDE-AREA SPRAYERS

Abstract

This article examines the need to improve the design of a field sprayer boom manufactured by AVAGRO LLC to enhance the competitiveness of agricultural machinery. It substantiates the need to transition from empirical design to digital modeling methods to ensure reliability and reduce metal consumption. An analysis of existing boom stabilization systems (pendulum, trapezoidal, and active) is conducted, identifying their advantages and disadvantages when operating at high speeds and in challenging terrain. The main focus of the paper is on proposing a rational strength calculation scheme based on the finite element method for dynamic analysis of a sprayer boom. A procedure for constructing a finite element model in specialized software packages is presented. The results of the study confirm that implementing the developed finite element analysis method at the design stage helps reduce metal fatigue failure and decrease the material consumption of the structure by 15–20% without compromising strength characteristics.