Pepper transplanting mechanisms and kinematic simulation analysis: A review

Abstract

Pepper production plays a significant role in the global agricultural economy, yet traditional manual transplanting methods lead to labor intensity challenges, inconsistency, and time constraints. Transplanting mechanisms of pepper transplanters significantly affect the efficiency of the entire transplanting process. This study reviewed the available transplanters used in pepper seedling transplantation, transplanting mechanisms, and the kinematic simulation analysis. Pepper transplanters are categorized into manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic types. Manual types include handheld and pulling types, while semi-automatic types involve manually seedling feeding with automatic planting such walking-behind, riding, and tractor-drawn models. Fully automatic transplanters synchronize seedling extracting, transfer to the conveyor, and continuous planting into the soil. Picking mechanism utilize pick-up pins, pushing action, and grippers, while planting mechanism is achieved through link-driven, wheel-driven, and rotary gear-driven hoppers. Recent advancements have emphasized 4- and 5-bar pick-up pin-type link-driven hoppers with 1 or 2 degrees of freedom for efficient seedling handling and planting. Kinematic simulation analysis emerges as a crucial tool used by engineers to better understand complex interactions, identify strengths and weaknesses in designs for the evaluation and optimization of mechanisms by modelling forces, motion, and system behavior. The transplanting mechanisms survey, the role of kinematic simulation, and key trends involved, such as increased automation, precision planting, and the integration of sensor technologies, could provide valuable information to farmers and manufacturers for identifying current gaps and improvement areas for enhancing innovation in pepper production.