A STUDY OF COMBINE STRAW CHOPPER BLADES WEAR

Abstract

The purpose of the study of straw chopper blades of grain harvesters is to investigate the factors influencing blade wear. To analyze the influence of structural parameters, chemical composition and working position on blade wear. The research was carried out under real working conditions, after selecting the shredding blades of 6 manufacturers and installing them on the straw chopper of the grain harvester. The obtained results show that the blades with the highest edge hardness (568 ± 11 HV) showed the least wear, the hardness was determined by the fact that the steel of the blades had the highest carbon content (0.42% C). To increase the output of chopper blades, it is appropriate to use spring steels with a higher carbon content (0.6-0.7% C) for their production. Also, research data reveals that the position of the straw chopping blades in the chopper shaft affects their wear rates, about 50% of the chopper blades wear more intensively and reach critical condition faster than the other 50% of the blades. This uneven wear is influenced by the arrangement of the blades intended by the manufacturer.