Evaluation of the Seed Flow Uniformity of the Fluted Feed Roller Designed for Coarse-Grained Seeds

Abstract

ABSTRACT
 It is not easy to achieve a successful distribution uniformity pattern for seeds of different physical properties in the seeders with fluted roller metering device. Therefore, improving the flow rate uniformity in fluted roller seeders is still an important research focus. In this study, the nine fluted rollers designed for coarse-grained seeds and with the flute diameters of 18, 20, and 22 mm and the flute depths of 5, 8, and 11 mm were evaluated for dry bean seed. Each fluted roller were operated at the ground speeds of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m s-1 for at the seed rates of 80, 120, and 160 kg ha-1. Performance for the flow accuracy of the seeds is taken into account in the evaluations and for this; the values of coefficient of variation were used. The optimum dimensions were determined by applying statistical analyses for the CV values obtained from each replication in the study conducted in three replications. According to the analysis results, it was determined that the prescribed flute diameters do not have a stable effect on the flow accuracy, the flow accuracy partially increased as flute depth was increased, and better as the seed rate and the speed of the feed shaft was increased. In this regard, the optimum dimensions for the best seed flow accuracy were obtained from the flute depth of 8 mm, seed rate of 160 kg ha-1, and at the ground speed of 2.0 m s-1.