Copyright © 2020 K.V. Borak. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which 

permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.  
 

 

 

Problems of Tribology, V. 25, No 2/96-2020, 34-41 
 

Problems of Tribology 
Website: http://tribology.khnu.km.ua/index.php/ProbTrib 

E-mail: tribosenator@gmail.com 
 

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.31891/2079-1372-2020-96-2-34-41 

 

 

 

Impact of soil moisture on wear intensity of the actuating elements of 

soil processing machines 
 

K.V. Borak 

 
Zhytomyr Agrarian and Technical College, Ukraine 

E-mail: koss1983@meta.ua
  

 

 

Abstract 

 

The aim of the study consisted in the determination of the impact of soil moisture on wear intensity of bi-

pod and tined actuating elements of soil processing machines made of different materials.  

We conducted the operation study according to the current regulatory documents on three types of soil 

processing machines: cultivators, plows, and common disk assemblies. Movement speed varied between 10...13 

km/h for plows, and between 11...15 km/h for disk assemblies. During operation, we observed the change of lin-
ear dimensions and weight of the actuating elements of soil processing machines. Determination of the change of 

weight and linear dimensions was done after 10 ha of running time per one arrowheaded tine, 30 ha of running 

time per one disk, and 5 ha of running time per one trail. 

As a result of the studies, we have determined that the increase of soil moisture in sandy loam and clay 

loam soils leads to the increased wear intensity of the actuating elements of soil processing machines. Obtained 

mathematical dependencies allow determining the value of moisture where the most intensive abrasive wear of 

actuating elements takes place, after which the wear intensity decreases. Depending on the type of actuating el-

ements, the moisture of sandy loam soils where the process of abrasive wear is the most intensive is 8...12 %,  

and for clay loam soils this figure is 9...13 %. 

The study of the impact of soil moisture on wear intensity of the actuating elements in clay soils was con-

ducted at the moisture before and after the extremum of function, therefore the value of moisture wh ere the most 

intensive wear takes place was determined experimentally. Consequently, when working in clay loam soils, the 
wear process for the actuating elements of the soil processing machine is the most intensive at the moisture of 

13...16 %.  

The material of the actuating element of the soil processing machine does not influence the overall ten-

dency of the impact of soil moisture on wear intensity 

 

Key words: actuating element, soil, moisture, steel, wear intensity, soil processing machines 

 

Introduction 

 

Abrasive wear is one of the most common phenomena leading to the loss of good working order for agri-

cultural machines. Actuating elements of soil processing machines are most prone to abrasive wear. The solution 
to the issue of increasing the durability and wear resistance of the actuating elements of soil processing machines 

shall not only be based on the improvement of structural parameters and physical and mechanical properties of 

the surfaces of actuating elements, but also the implementation of justified operation modes for machines. The 

selection of rational operation modes shall be based on the physical and mechanical properties of the soil envi-

ronment considering the opportunities of self-organization processes. Moisture is one of the main factors that de-

termine the abrasive properties of the soil environment, which is why determination of the impact of soil mois-

ture on intensity and nature of wear of actuating elements of soil processing machines is a relevant objective. 

 

Literature review 

 

The issue of abrasive properties of the soil environment was studied at different times by E. Rabinovych 

[1], M.M. Severniov [2], V.M. Tkachov [3], S.I. Vasyliev [4], V.V. Aulin [5] and others. Their works provide 

http://tribology.khnu.km.ua/index.php/ProbTrib
https://doi.org/10.31891/2079-1372-2020-96-2-34-41


Problems of Tribology 35 

 

quality insight into the issues of the impact of soil hardness, grain particle size, and abrasive particle size on wear 

intensity of the actuating elements of soil processing machines, however, pay insufficient attention to the issue of 

the impact of soil moisture on wear intensity in actual operating conditions.  

In most works, laboratory or stand researches were used to determine the impact of soil moisture on wear 

intensity, which is associated with significant material costs to conduct operation studies.  

M.M. Severniov determined the impact of soil moisture on wear intensity of steel samples in laboratory 

conditions (Fig. 1) [2]. 

 

 
 

Fig. 1. Dependence of wear intensity on soil moisture: 

1 – Sand; 2 – Sandy loam; 3 – Light clay loam; 4 – Clay 

 

Soil always contains a small percentage of acids and salts (sodium salt, chlorine salts of calcium, magne-
sium, phosphates, etc.) which increase the activity of the adsorption environment significantly and facilitate the 

material dispersion process after solution in water. This explains the increase of wear intensity in sandy soils and 

sandy loam soils at the moisture of 10...12 % [2]. 

In clay soils, moisture acts as grease on the friction surface. Considering the fact that wear here is a pr o-

cess where destruction and wear of the material that forms a friction connection take place as a result of its mul-

tiple destructions, it becomes obvious that the increase of the moisture leads to the decrease of the force of fric-

tion connections, and, consequently, the decrease of the wear of the smallest metal volumes from the friction sur-

face. This explains the gradually changing nature of the dependency curves of wear from moisture with a change 

of their mechanical composition [2]. 

Fundamental studies of the impact of moisture on the wearability of soils were conducted by S.P. Vasy-

liev and L.S. Yermolov in 1960 [4]. Graphical dependency presented in Fig. 2 was obtained as a result.  

 
 

Fig. 2. Dependence of wearability of soils on moisture: 

1 – Dark gray light podsolic mid clay loam on forest clay loam. 2 – Common black earth on clay sand. 3 – Light-clay 

black earth on carbonate forest clay loam. 4 – Dark gray on forest clay loam. 5 – Clay-loam black earth 

 



36 Problems of Tribology 

 

To determine the impact of moisture of the abrasive environment on the wear rate of steel samples, KR-1 

laboratory machine was used. As a result of research, it was determined that the increase of soil moisture leads to 

the increase of samples wear rate to the limit common for every type of soil, after which it starts decreasing rap-

idly with soil transfer to consistent state [4]. The results of these studies cannot be used in practice, as the study 

conditions do not reflect the operation conditions of the actuating elements of soil processing machines. 

In the work [6], it is pointed out that lack of moisture in soil decreases its heat conductivity, which results 

in the formation of temperatures that accelerate the wear process in the area of interaction of the abrasive particle 

with metal. 

E. Rabinovych states that the increase in soil moisture leads to an increase in the steel wear rate for 
10...20 % [1].  

In the work [7], it is noted that moisture has a significant impact on wear intensity. The lowest abrasive 

wear of metal is observed at optimal soil moisture when specific resistance during its processing is minimum. 

Moisture plays the main connecting part in the sand and sandy loam soils, where there are few clay particles. 

There is a threshold for these soils at which they have maximum abrasiveness. Soil abrasiveness decreases be-

yond the soil moisture threshold. Research data indicate that clay and clay-loam soils have the smallest abrasive-

ness at absolute moisture of 14...18 %. Sandy loam soils manifest maximum abrasiveness at absolute moisture of 

14 %. In case of an increase or decrease of moisture, soil abrasiveness becomes weaker. The abrasiveness of 

soils is the lowest at absolute moisture of 9...10 %. 

Authors of the work [8] determined that change of soil moisture has a different impact on wear intensity 

of actuating elements depending on soil type (Fig. 3). 

 

 
 

Fig. 3. Impact of soil moisture on wear intensity of the actuating elements of soil processing machines: 

1 – sandy soil; 2 – load soil; 3 – clay soil 

 

At operation of plow actuating elements on clay-loam and clay soils, a decrease of wear intensity was ob-

served, unlike in case of operation on sand soils. This phenomenon can be explained by the ability of clay-loam 

soils to absorb moisture, which then acts as grease, to a larger extent [8]. 

Despite the great practical and theoretical significance of the studies conducted, the impact of soil mois-
ture on the following remains undetermined: 

- intensity and nature of wear of disk and bipod and tine actuating elements of soil processing machines in 

actual operation conditions; 

- wear intensity of disk and bipod and tine actuating elements of soil processing machines at different de-

grees of abrasive particle attachment in soil. 

 

Purpose  
 

The research aims to determine the impact of soil moisture on the intensity and nature of wear of the ac-

tuating elements of soil processing machines considering the actuating element material and degree of abrasive 

particle attachment in soil. 

 

Methods 

 

Operation studies of the impact of soil moisture on wear intensity of the actuating elements of soil pr o-

cessing machines were conducted in agricultural enterprises of Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia regions in 2016-2018. 

The average speed was 12 km/h for the soil processing disk assembly, 10 km/h for the plow, 11.5 km/h for the 

cultivator. 

The studies were conducted on agricultural machines indicated in Table 1. 

 



Problems of Tribology 37 

 

Table 1. 

Actuating elements used in the study process 

 

Soil processing machine Soil type Actuating element 
Actuating element material + applied 

wear-resistant material 

John Deere 2210 cultiva-

tor 

Sandy loam 

Arrowheaded tine 

28MnB5 

Middle clay loam 
65H 

Light clay 

PLN-3-35 

Sandy loam 

Bipod 
65H 

Middle clay loam 

Light clay Hardox 500 

UDA-4,5 

Sandy loam Disk actuating el-

ement, daisywheel 

type 

28MnB5 

Middle clay loam 
65H 

Light clay 

 

Mass wear of actuating elements was determined on CP 34001 S laboratory scales by Sartorius (Germa-

ny).  

Fields in all cases were after harvesting of grain crops (winter wheat and barley). Movement speed varied 

between 10...13 km/h for the plow, and between 11...15 km/h for disk assembly. To determine the nature of the 
change of abrasive wear, we observed the change of linear dimensions of the components of actuating elements 

of soil processing machines. Determination of the change of weight and linear dimensions was done after 10 ha 

of running time per one arrowheaded tine, 30 ha of running time per one disk, and 5 ha of running time per one 

trail. 

Results 

 

The results of the conducted operation studies of the impact of moisture on wear intensity of the actuating 

elements of soil processing machines can be found in Table 2. 

Table 2 

Impact of soil moisture on wear intensity of the actuating elements of soil processing machines (fields after 

grain crops) 

 

Soil 

Y
e
a
r 

o
f 

re
se

a
rc

h
 

M
o

is
tu

re
, 
%

 

Intensity 

of wear, g/ha 

Y
e
a
r 

o
f 

re
se

a
rc

h
 

M
o

is
tu

re
, 
%

 

Intensity 

of wear, g/ha 

Y
e
a
r 

o
f 

re
se

a
rc

h
 

M
o

is
tu

re
, 
%

 
Intensity 

of wear, g/ha 

2
8

M
n

B
5

 o
r 

H
a
rd

o
x
 

5
0

0
 s

te
e
l 

6
5

H
 s

te
e
l 

2
8

M
n

B
5

 o
r 

H
a
rd

o
x
 

5
0

0
 s

te
e
l 

6
5

H
 s

te
e
l 

2
8

M
n

B
5

 o
r 

H
a
rd

o
x
 

5
0

0
 s

te
e
l 

6
5

H
 s

te
e
l 

Arrowheaded tine 

Sandy loam 2016 8,7 21,2 22,8 2017 10,1 22,3 24,8 2018 9,4 22,1 24,2 

Middle clay loam 2016 7,8 12,4 15,8 2017 11,7 13,5 17,0 2018 7,3 12,0 15,3 

Light clay 2016 12,4 6,8 10,5 2017 16,8 6,4 9,8 2018 13,9 7,8 11,7 

Disk actuating element 

Sandy loam 2016 8,7 0,065 0,065 2017 10,1 0,068 0,069 2018 9,4 0,067 0,068 

Middle clay loam 2016 7.8 0,037 0,039 2017 11,7 0,04 0,045 2018 7,3 0,034 0,037 

Light clay 2016 12.4 0,019 0,024 2017 16,8 0,017 0,022 2018 13,9 0,02 0,027 

Bipod 

Sandy loam 2016 8,7 65 79 2017 10,1 71 85 2018 9,4 69 83 

Middle clay loam 2016 7,8 37 55 2017 11,7 41 59 2018 7,3 35 51 

Light clay 2016 12,4 22 32 2017 16,8 20 29 2018 13,9 25 34 



38 Problems of Tribology 

 

 

Data in Table 2 allow concluding that the change of soil moisture in different types of soil has a different 

impact on wear intensity of the actuating elements of soil processing machines (Fig. 4). 

As a result of the studies, we have determined that the increase of soil moisture in sandy loam and clay 

loam soils leads to the increased wear intensity of the actuating elements of soil processing machines. Obtained 

mathematical dependencies allow determining the value of moisture where the most intensive abrasive wear of 

actuating elements takes place, after which the wear intensity decreases. Depending on the type of actuating el-

ements, the moisture for sandy loam soils where the process of abrasive wear is the most intensive is 10...13 %, 

and for clay loam soils this figure is 9...13 %. 
The study of the impact of soil moisture on wear intensity of the actuating elements in clay soils was con-

ducted at the moisture before and after the extremum of function, therefore the value of moisture where the most 

intensive wear takes place was determined experimentally. Consequently, when working in clay loam soils, the 

wear process for the actuating elements of the soil processing machine is the most intensive at the moisture of 

13...16 %.  

The material of the actuating element of the soil processing machine does not influence the overall ten-

dency of the impact of soil moisture on wear intensity. 

 

 

 
a) 

 

 
b) 



Problems of Tribology 39 

 

 
c) 

 
Fig. 4. Impact of soil moisture on wear intensity of the actuating elements of soil processing machines (experimental 

data): 

a) – arrowheaded tines. b) – disk actuating elements. c) – bipod 

 

To determine the impact of soil moisture on the nature of wear, we observed the wear intensity of the 

components of actuating elements of soil processing machines (Table 3). 

Table 3. 

Correlation of wear intensity of nose and blade part for different types of soils and soil moisture (serial 

bipod, 65H steel, 5 ha of operation per bipod, winter wheat fields) 

 

Correlation of bipod toe and blade 

wear intensity  

Soil moisture, % 

8,7 10,1 9,4 7,8 11,7 7,3 12,4 16,8 13,9 

Sandy loam soil 1,48 1,59 1,51 - - - - - - 

Middle clay loam - - - 2,19 2,21 2,18 - - - 

Light clay - - - - - - 2,31 2,34 2,33 

 

Intensification of the process of wear of the nose part of the bipod is observed with the increase of mois-

ture of sandy loam soils. This trend is also observed in clay loam and clay sands, but it is not as prominent. 

The results of previous theoretical studies show that the degree of abrasive particle attachment in the soil 

can influence the nature of the wear of actuating elements significantly. To confirm or dismiss this statement, we 
conducted studies on sandy loam soil at three different degrees of abrasive particle attachment: 

1. Plot after winter wheat; 

2. Plot after winter wheat, second plowing. 

Research results can be found in Table 4. 

 

Table 4 

Correlation of wear intensity of nose and blade part in the conditions of sandy loam soil at different de-

grees of abrasive particle attachment (serial bipod, 65H steel, 5 ha of operation per bipod, processing 

depth 200 mm in all cases) 

 

Research conditions 
Soil moisture, % 

8,7 10,1 9,4 

Plot after winter wheat 1,48 1,59 1,51 

Plot after winter wheat, second plowing  0,71 0,72 0,72 

 

Change of the degree of abrasive particle attachment in soil has a significant impact on the nature of wear 

of the actuating elements of soil processing machines. Change of soil moisture in loose soils (with a small degree 

of abrasive particle attachment) does not influence the nature of wear of the actuating elements of soil processing 

machines (Table 4). 

 

 

 



40 Problems of Tribology 

 

Conclusions  
 

It has been determined that the nature and intensity of wear of the actuating elements of soil processing 

machines changes in case of an increase of soil moisture. Upon the increase of soil moisture, its wearability in-

creases to the limit common for each type of soil, after which the wear intensity starts decreasing. The material 

of the actuating element of the soil processing machine has no impact on the general trend of the change of wear 

intensity of the actuating elements of soil processing machine upon the change of soil moisture. Soil moisture 

has no impact on the nature of wear of actuating elements in case of operation of soil processing machines on 

loose soils. 
 

References 

 

1. Rabinowicz, E., Dunn, L.A., Russell, P.G. (1961). A study of abrasive wear under three-body 

conditions. Wear, 4, 345-355: URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1648(61)90002-3. 

2. Severnev, M. M., Podlekarev, N. N., Soxadze, V. S., Kitikov, V. O. (2011). Iznos i koroziya 

sel`s`koxozyajstvenny`x mashin [Wear and corrosion of agricultural machinery]. Minsk: Belarus. Navuka, 333 

p. 

3. Tkachev, V. N. (1995). Rabotosposobnost` detalej v usloviyax abrazivnogo iznashivaniya [Parts 

performance under abrasive conditions], Moskva: Mashinostroenie, 336 p. 

4. Vasil'ev, S. P., Ermolov, L. S. (1960). Ob iznashivayushchej sposobnosti pochv [Soil wear ability]. 

Povyshenie dolgovechnosti rabochih detalej pochvoobrabatyvayushchih mashin. 130-141. 
5. Aulіn, V. V., Tykhyi A. A. Trybofіzychnі osnovy pіdvyshchennia znosostіikostі і nadіinostі robochykh 

orhanіv gruntoobrobnykh mashyn z rіzalnymy elementamy: monohrafіia [Tribophysical bases of increase of 

durability and reliability of working bodies of tillage machines with cutting elements: monograph], 

Kropyvnytskyi: Lysenko V.F., 2017, 278 p. 

6. `Lekhman, S. D. (1969). Issledovanie processa abrazivnogo iznashivaniya rabochih  organov 

pochvoobrabatyvayushchih mashin v svyati s mekhanicheskim i himicheskim dejstviem rabochej sredy. 

(Master`s thesis). Urainskaya SKHA. Kiev, 19 p. 

7. Bartenev, I. M., Pozdnyakov, E. V. (2013). Iznashivayushchaya sposobnost' pochv i ee vliyanie na 

dolgovechnost' rabochih organov pochvoobrabatyvayushchih mashin [Soil wear ability and its effect on the 

durability of the working bodies of tillage machines]. Lesotekhnicheskij zhurnal, 3, 114-123. 

8. Natsisa A., Papadakis G., Pitsilis J. (1999). The Influence of Soil Type, Soil Water and Share 
Sharpness of a Mouldboard Plough on Energy Consumption, Rate of Work and Tillage Quality. Journal of 

Agricultural Engineering Research, 72, 171-176: URL: https://doi.org/10.1006/jaer.1998.0360 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Problems of Tribology 41 

 

 

Борак К.В. Вплив вологості ґрунту на інтенсивність зношування робочих органів ґрунтообробних 

машин 

 

Завдання дослідження полягало у визначенні впливу вологості ґрунту на зміну інтенсивності зно-

шування лемішно-лапових та дискових робочих органів ґрунтообробних машин, які виготовлені з різних 

матеріалів. 

Експлуатаційні дослідження проводили згідно діючих нормативних документів на трьох типах 

ґрунтообробних машин: культиваторах, плугах та універсальних дискових агрегатах. Швидкість руху для 
плугів варіювалась в межах 10…13 км/год, культиваторів та дискових агрегатів – 11…15 км/год. В про-

цесі експлуатації слідкували за зміною лінійних розмірів та ваги робочих органів ґрунтообробних ма-

шин. Визначення зміни ваги та лінійних розмірів проводили після напрацювання 10 га на одну стрілчату 

лапу, 30 га на один диск та 5 га на один леміш. 

В результаті досліджень встановлено, що збільшення вологості ґрунту на супіщаних та суглинко-

вих ґрунтах призводить до підвищення інтенсивності зношування робочих органів ґрунтообробних ма-

шин. Отримані математичні залежності дозволяють встановити значення вологості, при яких спостеріга-

ється найбільш інтенсивне абразивне зношування робочих органів, після чого інтенсивність зношування 

зменшується. В залежності від типу робочих органів вологість супіщаних ґрунтів при якій процес абра-

зивного зношування протікає найінтенсивніше, складає 8…12  %, а для суглинкових – 9…13 %. 

Дослідження впливу вологості ґрунту на інтенсивність зношування робочих органів, на глиняних 

ґрунтах проводилася, при вологості до і після екстремуму функції, тому значення вологості при яких від-
бувається найінтенсивніше зношування визначено експериментально. Відповідно при роботі на глиняних 

ґрунтах процес зношування робочих органів ґрунтообробних машин протікає найінтенсивніше при воло-

гості 13…16 %. 

Матеріал робочого органу ґрунтообробних машин не впливає на загальну закономірність впливу 

вологості ґрунту на інтенсивність зношування. 

 

Ключові слова: робочий орган, ґрунт, вологість, сталь, інтенсивність зношування, ґрунтооброб-

ні машини.