Methodology to determine tooth spacing for a woody debris grubber

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-4S-99-104

Читать на русскоя языке Yu.A. Kazakov1, A.I. Zhigulskaya2
1  Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
2  Tver State Technical University, Tver, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №4S/ 2026 p. 99-104

Abstract: The paper presents a methodology for determining rational tooth spacing of a woody debris grubber during peatland development using the bulldozer multilayer stripping method. The relevance of the study is justified by the need to normalize loads on the process equipment and prevent woody residues from passing between the working attachments, since the specific cutting resistance of woody debris is 70 times higher than that of the peat bed. The purpose of this study is to provide a methodological basis for defining the cutting width of the woody debris grubber. Field studies and sampling of the woody inclusions were carried out at the Zaozerskoye deposit in the Leningrad Region. The probing rod method was used on the site to determine the stump density of 1% using and the woody debris detection frequency of 5.5%. A total of 86 woody debris samples were extracted and classified into six distinct morphological groups. Significant overall dimensions were determined for each group. Statistical processing was performed using the cluster analysis, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Tukey’s HSD. It was found that distribution of the woody debris by length is governed by the normal probability law (the variation coefficient of 0.22–0.38), whereas its distribution by the width (the variation coefficient of 0.29–0.56) fails to be normal. A high statistical similarity in the overall dimensions between the groups was revealed with respect to the width. The average length of the woody inclusions was 0.87 m, the average width being 0.33 m. The following rational layout of the teeth is proposed for a front-mounted grubber with the working width of 4.26 m: the tooth spacing of 330 mm, the number of teeth being 13 pieces

Keywords: bulldozer technology, peat deposits, multilayer stripping method, stump density, woody inclusions, grubbing

Acknowledgements: This work was carried out within the framework of a state assignment from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Study of the processes of integrated development of the Earth’s interior and deep processing of geological resources, project No. FSRW-2026-0003).

For citation: Kazakov Yu.A., Zhigulskaya A.I. Methodology to determine tooth spacing for a woody debris grubber. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(4S):99–104. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-4S-99-104

Article info

Received: 24.06.2026

Revised: 29.07.2026

Accepted: 18.08.2026

Information about the authors

Yury A. Kazakov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant of Mechanical Engineering Department, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Alexandra I. Zhigulskaya – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, Department of Technological Machines and Equipment, Tver State Technical University, Tver, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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