In this paper, sowing rate optimization of grassland drills consisted in finding an optimum combination between the seed flow of the seed metering device and the drill working speed, in order to achieve the sowing rates required by agro-technique for herbs seeds. It was developed a mathematical model that describes the seed flow variation depending on the working speed of the grassland drill and the active length of the groove cylinders. The experimental research was conducted using a grassland drill with eight metering devices and an automated installation, which simulates the working speed of the drill, collects and weighs seeds from each individual metering device. By using MathCad 14.0, it have been drawn the variation diagram of seed flow depending on active length of the groove and working speed. The comparative study of the variation diagrams based on experimental data and the variation diagrams obtained from mathematical modelling highlighted that the downward trend of the seed flow was observed in 66,67% of the results. Based on the mathematical model presented in this paper, it might be developed an algorithm enabling for fast obtain the optimal combination between the adjustment parameters, in order to apply a desired sowing rate.

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.

The equipment for burying in the ground the drip irrigation lines was designed and built at INMA Bucharest, within a complex research project carried out in partnership with other institutes, universities and research stations in Romania. The equipment is intended for drip irrigation technology for field crops. Subsurface crop irrigation technology is a variant of the classic drip irrigation technology, in which the drip lines are buried below the soil surface, providing water directly to the root zone of the plants. The depth of burial and the distance between the drip lines depends on the type of soil and the structure of the roots of the crop. The activities prior to the experimental research consisted in determining the characteristics of the test field (soil compactness, soil moisture, geographical coordinates of location). Experimental research of the equipment aimed at determining the energy indices (working speed, traction force, traction power, working capacity and fuel consumption).

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.