Development and Investigation of the Technology of Electro-Induction Surfacing of Parts of Working Bodies of Agricultural Machines

This article examines ways to improve the wear resistance of agricultural machinery components operating under intense abrasive wear conditions. The study focused on cultivator shanks made of 50, 50KhGA, and 65G structural steels. The aim of the study is to develop and scientifically validate a technology for electro-induction surfacing of wear-resistant coatings based on Fe–Cr–C and Fe–Cr–C–B alloys, ensuring the formation of an optimal deposited layer structure and improving the performance of the components. A hardening process is proposed, including electro-induction surfacing of a hard-alloy material followed by pulsed high-energy heating, as well as the design of a special inductor that allows for simultaneous surfacing of the shanks' nose and hardening of their wings. The effect of chemical-thermal treatment (boriding) on the formation of a hardened surface layer is also studied. Field tests were conducted under cultivating conditions using pilot and control samples. Working tool wear was assessed based on changes in geometric parameters, overlap area, and mass loss. It was found that the relative wear of surface-hardened wingtip shanks ranged from 8–27%, while for standard parts hardened using traditional methods, it reached 25–40%. This indicates a 30–60% reduction in wear intensity. It was shown that the performance of wingtip shanks during operation is determined primarily by maintaining their overall arrowhead shape. For a more objective wear assessment, it was proposed to use integrated indicators including changes in the overlap area of the working tools and average mass loss.