In the context of agricultural soil degradation caused by the extensive use of chemical amendments, ecological alternatives with minimal detrimental impact on ecosystems are gaining popularity. Recent advancements in processing technologies have improved the quality and extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds, particularly when multiple conventional or innovative techniques are being used to potentially overcome the most common limitations. This paper proposes the development and testing of a hybrid technology design that employs two extraction techniques, namely ultrasound and high pressure, that can be used either separately or in tandem. An initial assessment of the prototype potential for isolating the desired compounds was made, by testing three various working regimens for the processing of a mixture of onion, pea, and soybean. By incorporating the bioactive compounds produced during the experimental phase in the seedling transplantation holes, we were able to test the potential of stimulating the development rate of vegetables and reducing the attack of pests. The extracts obtained using the hybrid technology showed positive results when used to reduce pest attacks (decreasing average attack frequency by 7%), however had negative effects when used to promote biostimulation, when acted as an inhibitor. The hybrid extraction approach improved the mass transfer into solvent by 14% when compared to high-pressure processing and by 7% when compared to sonication.

This paper presents the interaction system within the mechanical soil processing process, consisting of two large elements, the metal of the tool and the soil. Due to the two main forces acting on the chisel knives—friction and impact with the sandy soil—the wear of these chisel knives was determined. To determine the wear, a stand was used which allowed testing chisel-type knives in laboratory conditions by changing their functional parameters: working depth, angle of the knives to work the soil, working speed, humidity and granulation of the test environment. The present paper presents an application of the Archard-type wear law to the contact between a chisel-type knife and sandy soil (wet and dry sand). The theoretical model regarding the Archard wear coefficient considered three forms of surface damage (shake down, ratcheting and micro-cutting). The sand was considered spherical and rigid and the surface of the knife was flat. The experimental model considered real steel knives with different surface hardness and operation under controlled conditions of sand granulation, humidity, attack angle, depth of penetration and speed of sliding. The theoretical and experimental results highlight the wear behavior of chisel knives (Archard coefficient) in wet and dry sand.

Compacted and degraded soils pose increasing challenges to agricultural practices, necessitating innovative approaches to soil tillage. This paper evaluates the performance of a vibratory-enhanced moldboard plowing system, designed to improve energy efficiency and tillage quality under compacted and moisture-deficient conditions, typical of low-moisture soils. Field experiments were conducted across four distinct Romanian regions with varying soil types and climatic conditions, all characterized by significant compaction and limited soil moisture. The vibratory system, mounted directly on each plow body, employed sinusoidal oscillations generated by a DC moto-vibrator, to reduce soil adhesion and traction force requirements, thereby lowering fuel consumption. Key parameters including fuel consumption, working speed, soil fragmentation, weed incorporation, and traction force were measured and compared with the conventional plowing method. The results showed enhanced soil fragmentation and more effective residue incorporation, along with notable reductions in traction effort and fuel use at optimal oscillation settings. These findings highlight the potential of vibratory tillage to be used as a soil preparation method for compaction-prone areas, improving the soil structure while increasing operational energy efficiency.

Reversible ploughs are modern agricultural implements that allow ploughing operations to be carried out with increased efficiency by turning the furrows in the same direction, regardless of the movement direction of the tractor–plough unit. Their functionality is ensured by a reversing mechanism, typically actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, which rotates the movable frame by 180° around the tractor's longitudinal axis at the end of each pass. This paper presents a static analysis of such a mechanism, with the objective of determining the distribution of mechanical stresses, displacements and equivalent deformations, as well as the safety factor of the main structural components. The applied methodology included defining the three-dimensional geometric model of the reversing assembly and performing numerical simulation using the Finite Element Method (FEM), with the SolidWorks Simulation software. The calculation assumptions considered the maximum load generated by the hydraulic cylinder during the rotation phase, with proper application of contact conditions and mechanical constraints. The results highlighted equivalent stresses, calculated according to the Von Mises criterion, below the allowable limits for the materials used, displacements and deformations within functional limits, and safety factors ranging from 2.1 to 3.5 for critical components (rotation shaft, support frame, and cylinder attachment points). The conclusions of the analysis confirm that the mechanism’s design is appropriate for the static loading conditions encountered during regular agricultural operation.