Introduction. Plowing the soil is a major operation in the cultivation of crops. It is one of the most labor-intensive operations in crop production, accounting for about 40 % of all energy costs. Most of these costs fall on consumed power, ensuring the effective functioning of the motor-block unit with a moldboard plow. Therefore, estimation of power consumed by motor-blocks is the urgent task. Materials and Methods. To solve the problem of determining the energy characteristics of the motor-block unit during plowing, a theoretical analysis was carried out, including values of torque, traction force on running wheels, resistance during their rolling and resistance force at the jointers-depleted plow, with the account for the geometry of the plowing unit based on the motor-block. Dependences of power consumption and specific energy consumption were obtained using the method described below. Results.As a result of our analysis of the power balance, we obtained dependences to find power consumption, as well as the specific energy intensity of plowing the soil with a motor-moldboard plow, which allowed for energy assessment of the functioning of the agricultural unit. Discussion and Conclusion. On the basis of these dependences of the required power and specific energy consumption, taking into account experimental data on interaction of the plow with the soil, design parameters and technological modes of operation of the agricultural unit consisting of motor unit Neva MB-2S-7,5 Pro and plow P1-20/3, were obtained to facilitate the choice of optimal modes of their functioning.

Introduction. Farmers make extensive use of two-wheel tractors equipped with traction and drive interchangeable units. Two-wheel tractors are required to move evenly with minimal slip of the drive wheels on the soil. The tractive force on the drive wheels of the tillage unit is the decisive power factor in this case. An objective traction force value can be measured only by carrying out experimental studies. Materials and Methods. To determine the traction force on the drive wheels of the twowheel tractor, the design of the experimental stand was proposed and substantiated (RF patent for useful model No. 188610 “Movable module of the test stand”), and a methodology for planning and conducting a multifactor experiment to determine the traction force was developed. Results. As a result of the laboratory tests the calculation dependencies of the tractive force on the drive wheels of the Neva MB23-MultiAGRO Pro two-wheel tractor were obtained. Soil conditions, design and technological parameters, operating modes of the two-wheel tractor, and rolling resistance forces were taken into account. Discussion and Conclusion. The use of the developed regression models of the traction force under the condition of ensuring uniform movement with the minimum permissible slipping of the driving wheels of the two-wheel tractor on the soil will allow obtaining the permissible values of the two-tractor motion speed and form the zones of its most effective functioning.