Precision farming systems are being intensively introduced into the agricultural production of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to developers and dealers, precision farming can reduce the cost of fertilizers, seeds, PPA, fuel and lubricants by 20% on average. At the same time, the efficiency possibilities resulting from the utilization of precision farming systems under certain conditions have not been fully studied. The aim of this work was to assess the influence of parallel and automatic driving systems on the technical, operational and economic indicators of units for sowing, chemical processing, harvesting, and autumn deep tillage using comparative tests in the northern region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. For these purposes, comparative tests were conducted for a seeder for sowing wheat; self-propelled sprayer for chemical weeding of wheat and flax; combine harvester for harvesting wheat; and unit for deep, subsurface tillage in Northern Kazakhstan. The comparative tests determined the impacts of GPS navigation systems, automatic and parallel control systems, and seeding control systems on agricultural, energy, operational, technological and economic performance of units.

Results of theoretical researches substantiating the characteristics of compensatory capacity of a loader and the transport support of sowing complexes are presented. It is stated that the volume of compensatory bunker of a seed loader has to be equal to the total volume of bunkers of sowing complexes under its service.

Calculation results of technical-and-economic indexes during implementation of economics and mathematical model using cumulative costs criterion for substantiation of North Kazakhstan tractor fleet are presented.

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Main problems connected with disuse of waste and fallow land are analyzed. A new combined tool for the fallow land tillage is under development. Industrial tests of its specimen showed that the new tool, in comparison with single-purpose ones, can improve performance at least twofold, reduce total cost in 1.9 times and fuel consumption at least in 2.3 times.

In the article, the authors discuss the necessity of the mulching layer in organic farming technology and provide substantiation of parameters of a machine for packing and chopping of green manure on soil surface. The purpose of the research is to develop a machine for chopping of green manure on soil surface, which increases productivity and provides proper quality of the technological process. Developing such a machine is a quite urgent problem at present when the use of stubble remains and green manure in aggregate with other factors provides opportunities for increasing the fertility of the soil. When carrying out the research the authors used theoretical and experimental methods based on applying the fundamentals of the agricultural mechanics, the theory of agricultural machines and methods of measurement regulated by normative documents. In the article, the authors present the results of the research that substantiate a constructive-technological scheme of the machine for chopping of green manure and mulching of soil surface. Also the authors present the substantiation of the parameters of a roller with chopping elements that is the main working tool. Besides the authors present the results of experimental research which confirm the theoretical research on parameters of the roller. Based on the conducted research the authors concluded that the developed machine provides quality chopping of green manure and mulching of soil surface in organic farming technology.

The problem of selecting certain types of grain combine harvesters is quite urgent now. This is because the agricultural manufacturers are struggling to make a right selection of a grain harvester of a definite firm or make due to the aggressive marketing from the manufacturers. (Research purpose) Efficiency evaluation of grain harvesters of different types under the North Kazakhstan weather conditions. (Materials and methods) Technical and economic research has been performed according to the standard methodology followed by data analysis. The calculation has been made for direct combining by 4, 5 and 6­-class harvesters equipped with wide­cut headers from leading domestic and foreign manufacturers. (Results and discussions) the authors have also calculated direct costs for thrashing of one ton of grain under favorable harvesting conditions, total costs for thrashing of one ton of grain including grain losses under unfavorable harvesting conditions, as well as total costs for thrashing of one ton of grain considering that 30% of grain is harvested under favorable harvesting conditions and 70% -­ under the ones. (Conclusion) It has been found that the price of thrashing of one ton of grain that characterizes the efficiency of utilizing grain harvesters depends on the price/efficiency ratio of a harvester, yield and harvesting conditions. Combine harvesters of a lower class with the optimum price/efficiency ratio are more preferable under favorable harvesting conditions. However, in case of the harvest period prolongation due to unfavorable harvesting conditions, combine harvesters of a higher class are more preferable.

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