Vibrational Analysis of an Alfalfa Mat in a Forage Harvester
ABSTRACT THEORETICAL equations for the application of viscous damping to forage compression and shearing mechanics were developed. Experiments were carried out with whole alfalfa to determine the effects of the mat length (distance from the upper feed roll vertical center line to the shear bar) on the compression energy. From the high speed motion pictures taken, measurements of the heights of the material and time were made and plotted. Energy for compression was calculated from the measurements. Based on the data, energy for compression can be reduced by designs which reduce the mat length.