Selecting the best planter option based on Harrington function

Abstract

The assessment of modern grain seeders was carried out according to five indicators: price of the seeder, metal consumption and energy intensity of sowing, specific productivity and technical level of the seeder. Weight coefficients were introduced for each indicator. A method for making an objective decision for choosing the best seeder option from alternative options based on the Harrington function is substantiated. The desirability function has been modernized into a graphical form using rating scales. Any intermediate value of the estimated indicator was projected onto a segment of a straight line connecting the points of intersection of the lines of the minimum and maximum values of the estimated indicators and the extreme lines of the same indicators, projected from the Harrington desirability function to a dimensionless scale. Dependences of the indicators of the desirability function for all evaluated indicators are determined. A generalized indicator of a comprehensive assessment is formulated for making a final decision. As a result, it was found that the ALFA-6 seeder has the best performance. Seeders SZT-3.6 and SZP-3 received the worst rating. Their overall score is 42.9% lower than the ALFA-6 planter. The developed assessment methodology made it possible to outline ways for further improvement.