ABSTRACT The uniformity and quality of spraying depend on the stability of the spray boom, defined as the suspension system between the boom and the machine chassis. This paper presents a procedure for improving the performance of passive spray bar suspensions through parameter adjustment. Two multibody dynamics models of a tractor sprayer set were developed to evaluate their suspension systems: a rigid body dynamics model (RBDM) and a finite element model (FEM) using deformable bodies. To calibrate the models in the experiment, an accelerating force was applied to the suspension, and the displacements of the shock absorber and the rubber springs were monitored. The FEM is more suitable for the evaluation of the horizontal oscillations of the bar, based on root mean square (RMS) values and a standard curve used to evaluate the stability of the bar. The horizontal stiffness of the bar significantly influences the oscillatory displacement and must be included in the simulation models. Resizing the structure can reduce the horizontal oscillations of the bar.

Abstract To improve the safety of the intercity bus structure against impact scenarios and to reduce the injuries and death in traffic accidents it is crucial in a country with continental dimensions like Brazil, where the road transport matrix is fundamental in the traffic of people and goods. In this context in the present article, a numerical model of an intercity bus was built with elastoplastic beam implemented in a commercial software Ls-Dyna. This model was submitted to different frontal and semi frontal impact crash scenarios. With this model were analyzed different accidents which happened in the Brazilian highways, it was also simulated a frontal impact test and the results obtained were compared with the experimental results. Finally two numerical approaches were compared, they are: a simple model made with lumped masses and non-linear springs series connected, and the elastoplastic beam model. The different comparisons carried out let us validate the intercity bus model created using elastoplastic beam elements and propose to use this model as an effective tool to search for more efficient bus structural configurations against impact scenarios.

RESUMO Na maioria das regiões produtoras de soja do Brasil, a colheita dessa cultura coincide com um período de escassez de oferta de matéria seca para a alimentação de ruminantes. As empresas produtoras de máquinas agrícolas devem ter a percepção do mercado, observando novas oportunidades e desenvolvendo equipamentos para atender às necessidades de seus clientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi projetar, construir e testar um equipamento para coletar os resíduos da colheita de soja, provenientes do mecanismo de limpeza da colhedora, constituído principalmente pela palha dos legumes (palhiço), eis que as demais partes das plantas (hastes) continuam sendo depositadas no solo. A concepção do equipamento foi realizada utilizando a metodologia projetual proposta no modelo de referência para o processo de desenvolvimento de máquinas agrícolas. O equipamento foi projetado e construído seguindo a metodologia proposta, instalado e colocado em funcionamento em uma colhedora John Deere 1165, após os testes iniciais, e alguns ajustes, apresentando desempenho satisfatório na coleta do palhiço. O equipamento desenvolvido consiste em um transportador helicoidal montado transversalmente à colhedora e de um ventilador centrífugo instalado na lateral. O palhiço coletado é transferido para uma carreta agrícola, rebocada por trator.

ABSTRACT Soy harvest matches seasons with shortage of dry matter supply for ruminant feeding in most Brazilian soy-growing areas. Agricultural machinery-producing companies must have market perception, observing new opportunities and developing equipment to meet costumers’ needs. This paper aims to design, build, and test a device to collect soybean crop residues from the combine cleaning mechanism, consisting mainly of vegetable straw (chaff), and the other plant parts (stems) remain being deposited onto the ground. For equipment designing, we made use of the architectural design methodology proposed in the reference model for the agricultural machinery development process. The equipment was designed and built following the proposed methodology, then installed and put into operation in a John Deere 1165 combine. After initial testing and few adjustments, the device showed satisfactory chaff-collecting performance. The equipment consists of a screw conveyor assembled transversely to the combine and a centrifugal fan assembled on the side. The collected chaff is dumped into a trailer towed by tractor.

The collective intercity transportation by bus is currently a mean of locomotion much sought after by people. Security in accidents is a very important factor that must be taken into account in design of bus body structure, being the evaluation of passenger safety of this type of vehicle is an important subject that should be checked, because in many accidents occur disconnection between seats and fastening members causing serious passengers injury, often fatal. This work aims at evaluation the behavior of frame fixing of seats of intercity bus bodies, submitted to the frontal impact situation in a rigid wall of 100% offset, through evaluation by finite element method (FEM). This study uses a numerical model corresponding to the body structure and chassis, developed through flexible beam elements, combining with shell elements for the structure of the seats and its fastening members, with the objective of not missing the essential aspects of the problem, allowing the solution with a reduced computational time. The numerical model of bus body and seat was impacted against a rigid wall at a speed of 8.89 m/s, being its validation according to the deceleration curve established by Regulation 80. Then it was gotten the Von Mises stress in fastening members of the seat structure in bus body. It is also presented a proposal to improve the fastening of the seat structure, comparing the results of the stress gotten in the two types fastening submitted to the frontal impact.