Beyond Agriculture 4.0: Design and Development of Modern Agricultural Machines and Production Systems

Technological breakthroughs have transformed the agricultural industry, resulting in the emergence of Agriculture 4.0. This new era of agriculture is characterized by the integration of automation, robotics, and data-driven systems to optimize farming operations and increase productivity. With the incorporation of advanced machinery and production systems, Agriculture 4.0 has the potential to greatly improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and minimize environmental impact [1]. The integration of automation and robotics in Agriculture 4.0 has enabled farmers to optimize their farming operations in previously unattainable ways. Farmers can optimize crop productivity while avoiding resource waste by utilizing modern technology like precision planters and harvesters fitted with sensors and actuators [2]. The implementation of data-driven systems enables farmers to make more educated decisions about planting, irrigation, and pest control, resulting in more sustainable and ecologically friendly practices.

Modern agricultural technologies and production systems have increased efficiency and opened up new opportunities for various farming methods. Vertical farming, hydroponics, and aquaponics are just a few of the novel agricultural production technologies that have gained popularity in Agriculture 4.0. These systems not only maximize land use but also save water and create a regulated atmosphere for the best crop development. Furthermore, the incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning into modern agricultural tools has enabled predictive analytics, allowing farmers to foresee and address possible issues before they happen. This proactive approach not only saves time and resources but also results in a more steady and consistent crop output.

The development of modern agricultural machines and production systems in Agriculture 4.0 represents a significant leap forward for the industry, offering a glimpse of a more sustainable and efficient future for farming practices. In the era of Agriculture 4.0, the potential for innovation and advancement in agricultural technology seems boundless. As we look forward, it is important for agricultural professionals to stay abreast of the latest developments and breakthroughs in this field. Additionally, coordination among technology developers, agricultural specialists, and legislators is critical to ensure that the benefits of Agriculture 4.0 are available and reachable to farms of all sizes and in all regions.

The ongoing improvement of modern agricultural technologies and production systems promises to not just improve efficiency and productivity but also contribute significantly to global food security and sustainability. Agriculture can fulfill the expanding demands of a burgeoning global population while minimizing its environmental footprint by leveraging the power of technology [3].

Modern agricultural machines and production systems are already leading the way in Agriculture 4.0, showcasing the diverse range of innovations that are shaping the future of farming. While Agriculture 4.0 undeniably offers a plethora of benefits, it is crucial to consider the potential drawbacks and challenges associated with the widespread adoption of advanced machinery and production systems in farming.

One of the key concerns raised by critics is the issue of job displacement. As automation and robots become more popular in Agriculture 4.0, conventional farming employment may be supplanted by machines. This might have substantial social and economic consequences, especially in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of employment. Furthermore, the significant initial expenditure necessary to deploy and maintain advanced agricultural machinery and production systems might be prohibitive for small-scale and subsistence farmers. Those with low financial resources may find it difficult to purchase and maintain advanced technology, thus expanding the gap between major commercial farming operations and smaller-scale producers.

Another important factor is the reliance on technology and data-driven processes and systems. Farmers may experience significant setbacks in their operations as a result of technical failures or connectivity outages, potentially leading to crop losses and decreased output. Furthermore, there are concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity, especially as farmers increasingly rely on digital platforms and smart technologies to run their operations. Also, the environmental impact of sophisticated agricultural machinery and production processes must not be underestimated. While proponents argue that these technologies would lead to more sustainable practices, there are worries regarding the energy usage and carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and operating high-tech farming equipment.

Hence, it is essential to engage in a balanced and critical discussion about the implications of Agriculture 4.0, considering the potential trade-offs and ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements do not come at the expense of social equity, environmental sustainability, and resilience in farming practices.

This Special Issue in Agriculture, entitled “Beyond Agriculture 4.0: Design and Development of Modern Agricultural Machines and Production Systems”, concentrates on how traditional mechanical systems can work in concert with mechatronic and data management systems to increase agricultural productivity while lessening its negative environmental effects. Keeping all of the aforementioned in mind, five research manuscripts have been published, which comprise contributions from researchers from Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Russia, and China.

The performance in the agricultural sector is dependent on the use of powerful and efficient agricultural machines, which ensure high productivity while protecting the environment, especially the soil, and the comfort of the operator.

Researchers worldwide are primarily concerned with enhancing wheeled farm machinery’s operational systems’ technological performance. Also, soil–tire interaction is a widely studied topic through the prism of the stress distribution in agricultural soil and its effect on soil compaction [4,5].

The study conducted by Roșca et al. (2022) [6] aimed to improve their previously proposed traction model for agricultural tire–soil interaction. To improve the model’s fit with test data, the authors incorporated the geometry and deformation of the loaded tire’s cross section, as well as a modified contact patch width. The hypothesis of a deformable tire cross section resulted in different results for tire–soil contact geometry, as well as efficiency and traction force. The goodness-of-fit analysis indicated that the test met its goal of achieving wheel slip within the prescribed ranges for agricultural activities (0–30%). The Pearson coefficient for traction force decreased somewhat, but the percentage of model data points within the experimental data’s 95% confidence interval increased dramatically. Overall, this study found that the new model improved predictions for traction efficiency, as evidenced by a significant increase in the Pearson coefficient and improvements in all other parameters of the goodness-of-fit analysis.

Vibrations occur during tractor driving due to uneven road conditions, rapid acceleration, braking, and steering, among others, and are transmitted to the operator, causing different health issues. In their study, Zhang et al. (2023) [7] aimed to analyze the vibration performance and optimize the design of a tractor scissor seat suspension system using a mechanical model and a three-dimensional Adams model. The optimized seats improved the vibration reduction performance in acceleration, displacement, and transmissibility by 66.41%, 2.31%, and 8.19%, respectively. Furthermore, the complex method of analysis used in this manuscript can be utilized by researchers and designers of agricultural machinery to analyze vibration attenuation control for seat suspensions.

Transport systems are necessary equipment on animal farms, for the transport of fodder (and other items), as components of harvesting machines, and as stand-alone systems in harvest processing units and supply chains. An often-encountered constructive solution is represented by screw conveyors.

The research study conducted by Hud et al. (2023) [8] aimed to develop a multi-purpose screw conveyor–separator for the enhancement of agricultural material separation efficiency. The modern systems for the simultaneous transport and separation of materials from different sources shorten the time between the two individual operations in the technological flow, increase productivity, and reduce energy consumption. The mathematical model created by the authors of this study was customized for a telescopic screw conveyor intended for the transport and separation of cereal grains and takes into account important parameters such as the flow rate and density of the transported material, the angular speed, and the oscillations that occur during operation. The data obtained through modeling were experimentally validated and proved that considerable savings in material and energy resources were achieved due to the simultaneous transportation and separation operations.

Another two publications belong to two groups of researchers from Russia and address modern technologies for improving the conditions in livestock farms.

Kuzmichev et al. (2023) [9] assessed the potential application of air curtains in livestock facilities on cattle management farms. The authors had in mind the cow farms located in regions of Russia where very low temperatures are recorded in winter (from −33 °C to −29 °C), as well as the fact that many livestock facilities are made of metal structures and sandwich panels, which does not ensure proper thermal insulation and a constant thermal microclimate during activities such as cattle feeding, facility cleaning, bedding replacement, or veterinary treatment. The penetration of the flow of cold outside air into the livestock facilities during these activities can be regulated by installing air curtains that also heat the air jet at the same time. The modeling results of this study demonstrate that the energy required to maintain the necessary microclimate conditions on the premises can be reduced by 10–15% with the use of an air curtain, which can be tailored to fit the size of the gate aperture and the operational needs for a particular cow farm’s facilities. Additionally, it reduces the likelihood of cold-related infections spreading among livestock on cattle farms.

A second study on the microclimate in animal farms was carried out by Tikhomirov et al. (2023) [10], who used a thermoelectric heat pump to solve the problem of local heating for prenursery pigs. In facilities for breeding sows, the air temperature should be between 18 and 20 °C. In facilities for prenursery pigs, the temperature should be about 30 °C, while for one-month-old pigs, it should be from 23 to 21 °C. Needless to say, energy efficiency is desirable in all activities, especially in the context of increasing energy prices and sustainability objectives. The authors designed and achieved a floor-mounted heating system consisting of modular panels with thermal capacities of 116 W, as a means of providing local heating for pigs raised in gestation cages prior to nursing. Tests on the floor-mounted heating panel showed high energy efficiency, as the developed systems saved approximately 15% energy compared to series-produced equipment for the local heating of prenursery pigs, due to partial heat recovery from exhaust ventilation air. Therefore, the system proposed by the authors of this study can be successfully used in pig farms.

To conclude, it can be stated that the results of research studies published in the Special Issue “Beyond Agriculture 4.0: Design and Development of Modern Agricultural Machines and Production Systems” represent a valuable contribution to the knowledge in the topics addressed. The use of modern agricultural machines and production systems enables sustainability, increases agricultural production, and improves animal husbandry.