The aim of the research is to increase the efficiency of harvesting the non-grain part of the sunflower crop for energy purposes by developing technology and substantiation of technical means. The analysis of sunflower harvesting technologies is carried out; the method of harvesting the crushed mass of the non-grain part of the sunflower crop with the formation of windrows of high linear mass at the edge of the field is substantiated. The results of laboratory field research of harvesting, selection and pressing of the crushed mass of the non-grain part of the sunflower crop are presented. Directions of improvement of the baler for harvesting of a non-grain part of sunflower harvest are noted. The constructional-technological scheme of the trailed hopper and windrow-former to the combine harvester for formation of windrows of a non-grain part of a crop of sunflower with the increased running weight is offered. The results of laboratory field studies confirmed the hypothesis of the possibility of selecting the rolls of the crushed mass of the non-grain part of the sunflower crop with a running weight of more than 20 kg per meter at a level of losses not exceeding 20%. The efficiency of harvesting the non-grain part of the sunflower crop for energy purposes can be increased by collecting the crushed mass passed through the combine harvester in a trailed digger and forming rolls with high running weight at the edge of the field for drying and subsequent selection by serial balers. It is established that at the level of yield of sunflower seeds within 3 ton per ha the volume of harvesting by the combine harvester of the crushed weight of non-grain part makes 7.5-8.5 center per ha. When picking with a baler, rolls with a density of 75-90 kg per m3 were formed at an average humidity of 23%.

Annotation Purpose. Assess the prospects for the creation of MTU on the basis of the chassis of the combine and identify potential technical and operational capabilities when used in various agricultural works. Methods. Methods of mathematical modeling and analysis of their estimation are applied in researches of technical and operational indicators of work of MTU. Results. The calculation schemes of completing the units with technological modules are considered, which will allow realizing the potential of the layout scheme of the energy technology means as much as possible. The study of technical and operational indicators of MTU with the use as an energy technology means of the chassis of the combine harvester KZS-9-1 “Slavutych”, which was compared with the performance of MTU on the basis of the tractor T-150K. In the course of researches the calculation of technical and operational indicators of work of MTU at disking, peeling of stubble and cultivation of soil is carried out. Conclusions. Analysis of the results of technical and operational indicators of MTU created on the basis of the chassis of a self-propelled combine harvester in comparison with a tractor of class 30 kN showed that the performance of these MTU with the same agricultural machines will not differ significantly. It should be noted that MTU as a part of energy technology means – the agro processor have worse maneuverability, stability of movement and convenience of aggregation. At the same time increase to 30% of fuel consumption in MTU which are completed on the basis of energy technology means – the agro processor is expected. Keywords: combine harvester chassis, energy technology means – agro processor, MTU, technical-operational indicators.

Annotation Purpose. Improving the harvesting efficiency of the non-grain part of the corn and sunflower crops for energy purposes by substantiation of technical means for the forming the windrows with increased linear mass. Methods. Analysis of technological processes of harvesting the non-grain part of the crop (NGP) of corn and sunflower, mathematical modeling of material distribution and the windrow formation of the non-grain part of the crop. Results. The analysis of harvesting technological processes of corn and sunflower NGP is carried out. The way of harvesting of the NGP which has passed through a combine thresher into the trailed hopper with the increased running weight windrow formation on the field edge is proved. The dependences of the sheer force of the crushed layer of the NGP by the vertical wall of the combine harvester's trailed hopper are obtained analytically. Numerical simulation of material distribution and windrow formation of the NGP was performed. The constructional-technological scheme and parameters of the trailed hopper-windrower of the combine harvester are substantiated. Conclusions. The efficiency of harvesting the NGP of corn and sunflower for energy purposes can be improved by collecting the crushed mass passing through the combine thresher into a trailed hopper and forming the windrows with increased linear mass at the edge of the field for drying out and subsequent lifting by serial balers. The structural and technological scheme of a trailed hopper-windrower for a combine with a folding conveyor has been developed based on the results of simulation the processes of moving the stalk masses of the NGP of corn and sunflower. It was found that, the windrow formation process proceeds stably when the height of the crushed material of the NGP of corn and sunflower in the hopper chamber is within 2.0–2.2 m, with the angle of inclination of the discarding conveyor to the vertical within 8–15 deg and the speed it movement within 3–4 m/s. Keywords: non-grain part of the crop of corn and sunflower, harvesting of non-grain part of the crop, windrow formation.

Annotation Purpose. Theoretical researches of increase of efficiency of working processes of threshing, separation of grain mass by combine harvesters by improvement and use of a multi-drum design of the threshing-separating device with rational design and technological parameters of work capable to provide necessary agrotechnical requirements. Methods. In theoretical researches the analysis of interaction of the threshing-separating device with grain mass with use of mathematical modeling of processes of threshing of grain, separation of a rough heap and their estimation is carried out. Results. The mathematical model of the mobile multi-drum thresher modernized as a result of change of settings that allowed to increase efficiency of its work is considered; the dependences of quality on the design parameters of the threshing-separating device during the implementation of technological processes of grain harvesting due to the reduction of the total level of injuries and grain losses are obtained. Conclusions. A mathematical model of improvement of the threshing process, separation of grain mass in the threshing gap of the threshing-separating device was developed, which allowed to obtain the dependences of the influence of structural and technological parameters on the level of threshing and separation. It is established that a significant reserve for improving the process of threshing, separation of grain mass is changes in the settings of threshing drums. Keywords: combine harvester, mathematical model, threshing-separating device, theoretical research, grain harvesting, threshing process.

Annotation Purpose. Systematize energy costs in the implementation of technological processes for harvesting by-products of corn and sunflower for energy purposes. Methods. Processing of analytical and experimental data based on the basic provisions of mathematical statistics, simulation using a computer and software mathematical environments MathCad, Statistics, Microsoft Office. Results. The calculations of energy efficiency indicators of the use of corn and sunflower for energy purposes are given. The dependences of the energy efficiency of the technological process of harvesting the crushed mass of corn and sunflower in pressed form on the yield at different levels of humidity of the non-grain part of the crop are obtained. Conclusions. It is established that the value of energy costs to compensate for the removal of elements by different components of the non-grain part of the crop varies significantly: corn – 0.36–2.15 MJ/kg; sunflower – 0.7–1.63 MJ/kg. The coefficient of energy efficiency of the developed process of harvesting corn for energy purposes, taking into account the removal of nutrients is 10.5–11.5, sunflower – 8.7–9.0, with a humidity of 20%. Keywords: non-grain part of corn and sunflower harvest, harvesting of non-grain part, energy efficiency.