The study of forming a roll of pressed hay and the influence of its density on quality parameters

¹ Ryazan State Agrotechnological University Named after P.A. Kostychev, Ryazan, Russia
² “VIM Federal Scientific Agro-Engineering Center”, Moscow, Russia

^* Corresponding author: kosta066@yandex.ru

Abstract

Hay is one of the most valuable types of roughage in the diet of ruminants. During the winter period, animals get about half of the nutrients and digestible protein from hay. Leguminous-cereal hay is rich in protein, minerals, carbohydrates, vitamins. When harvesting hay in rolls, balers with a constant-volume pressure chamber are most often used. The roll forming process consists in continuously winding the flow of plant mass onto the core to a predetermined diameter. The process of roll formation occurs due to the gradual compaction of the roll from the outside, as a result of which rolls with a low density core are formed. Studies have shown that hay compaction from the outside leads to the fact that pressure transfer from the outer layers to the inner layers occurs with some delay (stress relaxation) and the location of stems in this case will have some significant effect on the density of hay inside the roll. Experimental studies have shown that the density of hay inside the roll also varies as for the width of the roll. In the middle part of the roll (in width), the density of hay is 2 to 3 times higher than along its edges, the zone of increased density is 0.7 m, which is 44 % of the width of the roll.