Furrow Opener Research Articles

Impact of water content and furrow opener type on soil resistance to penetration in oxisol under no-till analyzed using multiple factor analysis

No-till seeders-fertilizers perform critical operations, from cutting crop residues to furrow opening and covering. The type of furrow opener and the soil's water content at seeding significantly affect soil structure, influencing crop establishment and initial growth. This study analyzed the soil penetration resistance (Srt) of an Oxisol under no-till, utilizing two types of furrow openers (shank and double-disc) at two soil water contents (0.239 and 0.275 g g⁻¹) through multivariate analysis. A split-plot design with nine repetitions was employed, where multivariate factorial analysis with orthogonal rotation revealed significant differences in Srt based on depth, soil water content, and furrow opener type. The lowest Srt values were observed with higher soil water content (0.275 g g⁻¹) using a shank furrower under a higher load (676 N), which resulted in better soil mobilization and reduced Srt, with only 2.3% (shank) and 11.4% (double-disc) of the areas exceeding the critical 2 MPa threshold. The shank furrower was more effective in reducing Srt, especially in wetter soils, and is recommended for conditions with higher water content due to its lower limiting depth of Srt (13 to 24 cm) compared to the double-disc (7 to 26 cm). In drier soils (0.239 g g⁻¹), where Srt limiting depths ranged from 3 to 40 cm, the choice of furrower must consider the need to minimize root growth restrictions, as both types present challenges under these conditions.

Optimizing Small-Scale Farming: A Review of Manually Operated Vegetable Seed Sowing Machine Performance

Small-scale farming plays a crucial role in global vegetable production, particularly in regions where resources and mechanized equipment are limited. Traditional manual sowing methods are labor-intensive and often result in inconsistent seed placement, leading to suboptimal crop yields. This review paper examines the performance of manually operated vegetable seed sowing machines as a means to optimize small-scale farming practices. By analyzing recent advancements and evaluating key performance metrics—such as field capacity, seed placement accuracy, labor efficiency, and cost-effectiveness—this review highlights how these machines can enhance productivity and reduce labor costs. The paper also discusses the influence of various design features on machine performance, including seed metering mechanisms, furrow openers, and ergonomic considerations. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature and case studies, this review aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of these machines and offer recommendations for future improvements to better support small-scale farmers. The findings underscore the potential of manually operated seed sowing machines to contribute significantly to the optimization of vegetable production in resource-constrained settings. Keywords: Small-Scale Farming, Manually Operated Machines, Seed Sowing Performance, Field Capacity, Labor Efficiency, Cost-Effectiveness, Machine Design, Ergonomics, Manual Sowing Techniques, Agricultural Innovation, Performance Metrics

Sowing depth control strategy based on the downforce measurement and control system of ‘T’-shaped furrow opener

Sowing depth is a critical factor in crop growth and is determined by both the soil conditions and the force of the opener. The trend for the future is to control sowing depth based on soil dynamic parameters. Therefore, this paper developed a downforce measurement and control system based on the ‘T’-shaped furrow opener and investigated the influence of soil dynamic parameters and opener downforce on sowing depth. A test-rig was constructed and the accuracy of the system in measuring downforce and controlling downforce and sowing depth was verified. The study shows that at different sowing depths, soil moisture, bulk density and their interaction have a significant effect on downforce (P < 0.01). As the moisture content decreases and the bulk density increases, the required downforce increases for the same sowing depth. A mathematical model of downforce-sowing depth-soil bulk density-soil moisture content was established using experimental data, with an R2 of 0.916, VIF <5 and a Durbin-Watson value of 1.628. Field experiments show that, at an operating speed of 6 km h−1, the control strategy based on the soil dynamic parameters predicted by downforce theory significantly outperformed the strategy of adjusting the downforce in response to perceived changes in downforce. This indicates that after dynamic and rapid measurement of soil bulk density and moisture content during field operations, sowing depth can be accurately controlled based on the directed downforce of the opener. The mathematical model provides a theoretical basis for sowing depth control based on soil dynamic parameters.

Critical assessment of furrow openers and operational parameters for optimum performance under conservation tillage

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is an innovative approach that promotes sustainable farming while enhancing soil health. However, residue management challenges often hinder its adoption, causing farmers to burn crop leftovers in fields. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various furrow openers under simulated soil bin conditions. Three types of furrow openers were examined: single disk (SD), Inverted T-type furrow opener with a plain rolling coulter (ITRC), and double disc (DD) furrow opener. Tests were conducted at different forward speeds (1.5, 2, and 2.5 km h−1) and with three straw densities (1, 2, and 3 t ha−1) at a consistent working depth of 5 cm. Draft measurements were obtained using load cells connected to an Arduino-based data-logging system. Results indicated that draft requirements increased with forward speed and straw density, while straw-cutting efficiency decreased with these factors. Average draft values for SD, ITRC, and DD were 290.3 N, 420 N, and 368.5 N, respectively, and straw-cutting efficiencies were 53.62%, 59.47%, and 74.89%, respectively. The DD furrow opener showed the highest straw-cutting efficiency (81.36%) at a working speed of 1.5 km h−1 and a straw density of 1 t ha−1, demonstrating optimal performance compared to other furrow openers.

Design and Fabrication of a Tractor- Drawn Multi-Crop Planter

The study was undertaken to design, fabricate multicrop planter capable of planting maize, common bean and sorghum seeds at predetermined spacing and depths. Physical properties of seeds involved in the study were investigated to optimize the design of the planter’s components. The planter, consists of a frame, seed hopper, seed metering devices, seed tube, adjustable furrow opener, adjustable furrow covering device, and drive wheels. The investigation revealed that the sphericity of maize, common bean and sorghum were 64.8, 72.4 and 81%, respectively. Percentages of mechanically seed damaged by the planter were zero for each crops. Germination test was conducted to assess the magnitude and extent of invisible seed damage inflicted by the planter indicated mean percentage seed germination of 98.5, 94.5 and 97.3% for maize, common bean, and sorghum, respectively. The reduction in percentage germination of maize, common bean and sorghum were zero, when compared with that did not passes through the machine for all the seeds tested. Based on the above results, it is concluded that the planter can be efficiently and effectively used by the majority of the farmers and other stakeholders in the study area.

Comparison of various single-disc type furrow openers used in no-till seeders in terms of furrow properties and acting forces

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of various single-disc type furrow openers used in no-till seeders on furrow aspects and forces acting on the discs at various soil moisture contents, soil compaction levels, and seeding depths in soil bin. Factors included plain, notched, wavy, concave, and fluted types of disc coulters, two soil moisture levels (12-18%), two soil compaction levels (2-3 MPa), and two seeding depths (50-75 mm). According to the results, the plain, notched, and fluted type discs had the lowest vertical, draft, and side force, while the wavy type disc had the maximum vertical force, draft force, and side force and the concave type disc had the highest side force. The vertical, draft, and side force requirements of all furrow openers were found to be lower in loose soils with low moisture content and greater in compacted soils with high moisture content. Fluted, concave, and wavy-type discs produced the best results in terms of the specific vertical, specific draft, and specific side forces, respectively. While the highest furrow cross-sectional area was obtained in the wavy disc, this furrow opener was followed by concave, notched, fluted, and plain-type furrow openers, respectively.

The Effect of Furrow Opener and Disc Coulter Configurations on Seeding Performance under Different Residue Cover Densities

The performance of the no-till seeder is one of the most important factors that affect the success of the no-tillage. Striking the right balance between furrow opener design and residue cover is essential for optimizing seeding conditions and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices that promote both soil conservation and high-yield crop production. This study investigates the impact of residue cover on no-tillage maize seeding after wheat harvest, focusing on plant spacing, seeding depth, mean emergence time, and percent emergence. Trials with hoe-type and double-disc-type furrow openers, accompanied by plain- or ripple-disc-type coulters, were conducted in Antalya, Turkey. The results indicate that residue cover had no significant effect on mean plant spacing, but a higher residue cover increased spacing variation. The seeding depth in hoe-type furrow opener trials remained consistent, while double-disc-type furrow openers showed lower depths with 80% and 90% residue covers. The percentage of plant emergence and mean emergence time decreased as the residue cover increased in double-disc-type furrow opener trials. At 90% residue cover, PE decreased to 60%. The impact of disc coulters on hoe-type furrow openers was limited, but they increased seeding depth and MET in double-disc-type furrow openers. These findings can help optimize residue management for improved efficiency in no-till farming systems.

Results of a comparative study of coulter groups of a seeder for strip sowing of grass seeds in the sod

For the effective use of sod seeders SDK in conditions of degraded forage lands, it is necessary to modernize the design of their coulter group to work in conditions of high soil moisture and increased content of plant residues in it. A method of strip sowing is proposed, which is based on the removal of the sowing working elements from under the casing of a milling furrow opener, and a design and technological scheme of the coulter group with a shoe opener mounted on a suspension mechanism in the form of torsion springs. The coulter group includes a mounting bracket on a seeder, a suspension mechanism, shoe openers, rollers, mechanisms for adjusting the position of coulters in the vertical and horizontal planes and the forces of deepening coulters and the pressure of rollers on the soil. Compared to the coulter group of SDK seeders, its weight (19.6 kg) is reduced by 3.8 kg while the total length of the seeder increases by 0.12 m. To assess the efficiency of the modernized coulter group of the sod seeder, experimental studies were carried out in the field, during which the quality indicators of seed placement were determined when using a serial coulter group of SDK seeders and a prototype coulter group. Comparative studies of coulter groups of a sod seeder showed that when sowing Eastern galega, the depth of seed placement complies with agrotechnical requirements and is: for the coulter group of SDK seeder – 19.4...22.4 mm, for the prototype - 18.6...19.5 mm, and for the prototype the value of the standard deviation is almost two times lower. The uniformity of the distribution of seeds over the width of the strip for the coulter group of the SDK seeder is 20.2...26.1 mm, for the prototype – 8.4...10.1 mm.

高速作业种肥播深可控的花生播种机的设计与试验研究

Aiming at the traditional peanut planter seed and fertilizer sowing depth inconsistency caused by seed burning and injury, fertilizer waste and low seed emergence rate, the design of a peanut planter with high-speed operation and controllable seed and fertilizer sowing depth was performed. The laser sensor is added to detect the height of the ridge and the furrow opener position feedback, and the speed sensor detects the operating speed of the peanut planter. The mechanical analysis of the four-link rod clarifies the control principle, improves the PID algorithm of the integral term, designs the control strategy based on the operating speed of the planter, controls the electro-hydraulic system, and realizes the sowing and fertilizing depth adjustment of the furrow opener. Through the design of three-factor three-level orthogonal simulation test, it is concluded that the vehicle speed and height deviation value are significant factors affecting the sowing and application depth, and under the verification of the field test, it is obtained that when the sowing depth is 50 mm under the speed of 3 km/h, the dynamic sowing depth qualification rate is 96.26%, and the maximum coefficient of variation of the sowing depth is 2.58%, which improves the effect of the existing control of the sowing depth of the peanut by 6.05%, and reduces the variation of the sowing depth by 2.85%. The research has demonstrated superior performance compared to traditional mechanical adjustment in regulating the planting depth of peanuts, thereby achieving the intended design objective.

Development of a Low-Cost Portable Two Row Pea Planter for the Hilly Terrain of Kashmir Valley

The physical characteristics-size (3.12 – 8.98 mm), shape (1.13 – 1.33), test weight (194.66 – 209.66 g), sphericity (0.80 – 0.81) and engineering properties- bulk density (740.33 – 772.20 kg m-3), porosity (22.13 – 30.10 %), angle of repose (42.0 – 43.66°) of commonly grown pea varieties (Arkel, PB-89 and PB-1100) were measured at 8.5 – 9.5 % moisture content to select the design parameters of working components of two row pea planter. The moisture content of the pea varieties ranged from 8.5 – 9.5 per cent. The pea planter comprised of seed hopper, metering disc, handle, furrow opener, row marker and ground wheel. The pea planter was evaluated in terms of variety (Arkel, PB – 89, PB – 1100), metering disc (cup shaped flute metering disc and grooves on periphery metering disc) and depth of seed in the seed hopper (¾, ½ and ¼ full). The optimization of the parameters through response surface methodology (RSD) using design expert 13.0 revealed that operating the pea planter with cup shaped flute metering disc (M1), variety P3 (PB-1100) at ¾th depth of seed in the seed hopper resulted in average seeding spacing of 11.37 cm, missing index 3.45%, multiple index 12.46%, quality of feed index 84.08% and rate of work 0.04 hectare per hour. At optimum condition, the efficiency of the developed prototype of two row pea planter was found to be 82.0 percent. The economic analysis through bill of material revealed the cost of the machine as Rs. 1456, operating cost of 84.20 Rs h-1, benefit cost ratio of 1.30, break-even point of 0.02 ha and pay back period of 57.77 hours. The low-cost portable pea planter can serve as the panacea to pea sowing in the hilly terrain of Kashmir valley.

Design and development of a manual groundnut planter for smallholder farmers

This article presents the design and development of a manual groundnut planter, specifically tailored for smallholder farmers cultivating less than two hectares of land. The planter serves as an intermediate technology between hand tools and tractor-drawn multi-row planters, addressing the financial constraints faced by a significant portion of the farming population. The planter’s design focuses on minimizing drudgery by eliminating continuous bending and standing up, ultimately improving efficiency and reducing time wastage. Key considerations during the design phase include affordability, ease of construction using locally available materials, and low technological complexity, requiring minimal training for operation and maintenance. Operational functionality involves a single-row tiller drawn type planter, utilizing a feed-in disc roller principle. Seeds are poured into the hopper, picked up by the metering plate, and introduced into the chute. The furrow opener continuously opens the soil, and the seeds fall into the furrow, simultaneously closed by the leveller. The planter achieves a continuous planting at a 30 cm intra-row spacing. The article further details the description of the groundnut planter, highlighting its components such as the handle, seed hopper, furrow opener, seed discharge tube, main body (frame), and metering roller housing. The planter’s power is derived from the rotation of the wheel, and motion is transmitted through the shaft to the metering unit. The methodology is outlined, including a flowchart illustrating the design process and the use of AutoCAD software for the 2D design. Mechanical factors considered for the planter design include uniformity of seed depth placement, distribution along rows, transverse displacement, and soil cover. Design considerations prioritize the ease of fabrication, operator safety, simplicity for small-scale farmers, and the use of locally available materials. The viability and nature of the seed, including orientation and moisture content, are also taken into account. The article concludes with a discussion on the collection of required materials, including the seed box, seed metering disc, seed transmission hose, and main frame. The presented manual groundnut planter aims to enhance the planting process for smallholder farmers, offering an affordable and efficient solution to improve agricultural practices.

Soil mobilization in function of sowing speed in maize

The sowing process can be affected by constructive differences related to the seeder, morphological and climatological conditions, and depending on the working speed used. The performance of the furrow opening components of the seeders is essential for obtaining good yields and productivity of maizecrops. This work aims to evaluate maize sowing with a Massey Ferguson tractor model MF 7370 with power of 125 kW pneumatic seeder-fertilizer as a function of its behavior at the different displacement speeds. The statistical design used was randomized blocks, with six displacement speeds, approximately (V1=2.0; V2=4.7; V3=6.5; V4=8.1; V5=10.3 and V6=12.3 km h-1), for the maize crop, with four replications, totaling 24 experimental plots. Soil mobilization parameters were evaluated: furrow width and depth, furrow mobilized area, and furrow opening angle. As agronomic traits were evaluated: the number of days for sowing emergence, initial and final sowing population, and grain yield. The mobilized area, angle, and depth of the furrowing fitted the quadratic regression model, while sulcus width had an increasing linear effect. Intermediate speeds V4 (8.1 km h-1) showed the highest values of the mobilized area and furrow depth and the lowest furrow angle value, whereas V3 (6.5 km h-1) presented the highest yield (8902 kg ha-1).

Effects of the disc and tilt angle of a single disc-type furrow opener of a no-till seeder onresidue distribution and the furrow profile

Effects of the disc and tilt angle of a single disc-type furrow opener of a no-till seeder onresidue distribution and the furrow profile

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Tractor-Drawn Multi-Crop Planter

The study was undertaken development and performance of the planter capable of planting maize, common bean and sorghum seeds at predetermined spacing and depths. Physical properties of seeds involved in the study were investigated to optimize the design of the planter’s components. The planter, consists of a frame, seed hopper, seed metering devices, seed tube, adjustable furrow opener, adjustable furrow covering device, and drive wheels. The investigation revealed that the sphericity of maize, common bean and sorghum were 64.8, 72.4 and 81%, respectively. Percentages of mechanically seed damaged by the planter were zero for all crops. Germination test was conducted to assess the magnitude and extent of invisible seed damage inflicted by the planter indicated mean percentage seed germination of 98.5, 94.5 and 97.3% for maize, common bean, and sorghum, respectively. The reduction in percentage germination of maize, common bean and sorghum were zero, when compared with that did not passes through the machine for all the seeds tested. Based on the above results, it is concluded that the planter can be efficiently and effectively used by the majority of the farmers and other stakeholders in the study area.

Mesoscopic analysis of drag reduction performance of bionic furrow opener based on the discrete element method.

In order to study the dynamic interface mechanical behavior between soil and agricultural machinery and reveal the causes of tillage resistance, three kinds of bionic furrow opener were designed according to the characteristics of earthworm head surface curve, using the discrete element method to simulate and analyze the process of the furrow openers. The results showed that the order of ditching resistance from large to small is traditional opener, bionic corrugated opener, bionic ridgeline opener, bionic composite opener. With the same ditching speed, the drag reduction effect of the three bionic openers increases with the increase of the ditching depth. During the process of increasing the depth from 30 mm to 60 mm and 90 mm, the ditching resistance of the traditional opener increased from 11.56 N to 28.32 N and 48.61 N as well as the maximum drag reduction ratio increased from 5.58% to 7.20% and 8.93% for the bionic composite opener. With the same ditching depth, the bionic composite opener reached the highest drag reduction rate of all bionic openers when the speed is 100 mm/s, the value is 9.08%. The width of the ditch of the three bionic openers is smaller than that of the traditional opener. Bionic corrugated opener can improve the ditch height and reduce the ditch width,the corrugated structure creates a gap between the surface of the core and the particles, reducing the number of contact and contact area of the particles. The number of contact particles of the three bionic openers is smaller than that of the traditional opener. The bionic composite opener has the smallest force field and the soil disturbance caused by the core share surface is small, the soil is evenly distributed along the core surface. The discrete element simulation shows that the bionic opener can effectively reduce the ditching resistance and improve the quality of ditching, which provides a theoretical basis for subsequent research and optimization.

Redesigning of Asella Animal Drawn Wheat Row Planter

This study was undertaken to redesign, fabricate, and evaluate the performance of animal-drawn seed drill prototype capable of drilling wheat and barley seeds and applying fertilizer at predetermined row spacing and depths. The physical properties of seeds involved in the study were investigated to optimize the design of the seed drill’s components. The developed seed drill machine, consists of a frame, seed and fertilizer hopper, seed metering devices, seed delivery tube, adjustable furrow opener, and drive wheels. The performances were evaluated in terms of Seed and fertilizer rate, row spacing, depth of seed placement, plant count/stand, field capacity and field efficiency. The investigation revealed that the sphericity of Hidase, Digelu, Ogolcho, and Kekeba wheat varieties were 65.81 %, 64.79% and 62.62 %, respectively. Row-to-row spacing can be 20 cm and depth also adjustable to 5 to 7 cm as per wheat agronomic requirements. The developed four row animal drawn seed drill was tested in the laboratory and field. The seed rate was calibrated and observed that 127 kg/ha with a middle flap position adjustment lying in the acceptable range of the recommended seed rate. There was no visible damage observed. The mean field capacity and field efficiency were 0.112 ha/hr and 81.78% at speed of 1.71km/hr. 310 to 318 plant populations per meter square (1 m2) area were observed during field germination count. Based on the performance evaluation results, it is concluded that the developed seed drill can be effectively and economically used by most farmers.

Mode and experiments of a straw ditch-burying returning and maturing in cold region of Northeast China

The current agronomic model of returning straw litter to soil (straw returning) involves crushing and mixing the straw with soil, which leads to shallow burial and ineffective decomposition of the straw. To address this issue in the cold region of Northeast China, this study proposed a method of burying and composting rice straw in furrows for returning to the field, and developed a matching machinery. Based on long-term experiments of burying straw in soil in spring and autumn, in this study, the operating parameters, postoperative straw decomposition effects, and influence of soil bulk density were analyzed. The results showed that the straw returning rate was inversely proportional to the forward speed and proportional to the furrow opening rotation speed and exhibited an increasing-then-decreasing trend with increasing collecting rotation speed. Taking into account both straw returning rate and operational efficiency, the recommended optimal operating parameters for the machinery unit were a forward speed of 0.4 m s−1, a raking speed of 180 r min−1, and a ditching speed of 420 r min−1. Under the spring model of burying straw in soil, straw treated with the composting agent was more likely to be fully decomposed in a short period, with a maximum total decomposition rate of up to 97.23%. Burying straw in soil effectively reduced soil bulk density, and straw returning in spring was more conducive to improving soil physical properties than straw returning in autumn. The value of this research lies in the integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy, providing insights for the development and design of related equipment, as well as offering a new approach for the effective treatment and utilization of straw in cold regions.

The effect of plowing depth and distance between the two beds of furrows opener developed under different tillage systems on some soil physiology and sunflower crop growth

Abstract:&#x0D; The research was conducted in clayey loamy soil using two plowing systems (T1 chisel) and (T2 moldboard) and three depths of plowing D (10, 20, 30 cm) and three spacing between the two plates of each of the furrows opener (40, 50, 60 cm). ) to study the effect of the developed furrows opener on the physical properties of the soil (bulk density and porosity) and the growth characteristics of the sunflower crop (plant height, , productivity,)&#x0D; The furrows opener, when used after the moldboard plow, gave the highest height and the maximum quantity of the total seed yield of the plant, while the three mentioned traits recorded the highest increase at the maximum depth of the stalk (30 cm) and the largest spacing between the boards (60 cm) between the two plates of each of the three The furrows opener weapons, and the traits were affected (Plant height and total seed yield) were significantly affected by the bilateral and triple interactions between the study factors (tillage systems, machine depth, and the distance between the two plates) .While it affected some of the physical soil characteristics represented by the bulk density of the soil and the total porosity of the soil, the sander recorded a decrease in the apparent soil density when used after the chisel plow, and also decreased with the increase in the depth of the machine and with the increase of the inter-distance between the boards of furrow opener, while the bilateral interference was recorded between systems Tillage and tillage depth had a significant effect, while the binary interactions between (tillage regimes spacing between the boards, plow depth, and spacing between the boards) and the triple interaction between the study factors (tillage regimes, plow depth, and spacing between the boards) had no significant effect on bulk density. The developed plow excelled when used after the chisel plow by recording the highest total porosity, which increased with increasing the depth of the machine and increasing the inter-distance, while the bilateral interference between the tillage systems and the depth of the machine had a significant effect, while the bilateral interactions between (the tillage systems and the inter-distance, the depth of the machine and the inter-distance ) and the triple overlap between the study factors (tillage systems, machine depth and spacing between the boards) any significant effect on the total porosity of the soil.&#x0D; Keywords: plowing systems, the depth of the machine (the depth of plowing), the distance between the furrow opener plates.

The impact of ‘T’-shaped furrow opener of no-tillage seeder on straw and soil based on discrete element method

In no-tillage planting systems, the ‘T’-shaped furrow opened by the furrow opener can effectively preserve soil moisture, ensuring that the seeds are consistently covered by the soil. Investigating the effects of different types of lateral blade on the ‘T’ -shaped furrow opened by the furrow opener is crucial. In this study, a discrete element method (DEM) model was established to simulate the interactions among the ‘T’- shaped furrow opener, straw, and soil. The rationality of the model was validated through soil bin experiments and simulation experiments, which involved multiple indicators, such as soil forward displacement, soil lateral displacement, straw forward displacement, draft force, and down force of the ‘T’- shaped furrow opener. During the exploration experiment, the influence of lateral blade shapes and working speeds on the performance of the ‘T’- shaped furrow opener was investigated. In the simulation, draft force, down force, soil displacement, and straw displacement were measured. The results indicated that both lateral blade shapes and working speeds, as well as their interaction, had significant effects on draft force, down force, soil displacement, and straw displacement. Different lateral blade shapes resulted in varied shapes of the ‘T’- shaped furrow opened by the furrow opener. Notably, the concave arc lateral blade had a disruptive effect on the soil below the surface and could induce secondary shear of the straw, enhancing the cutting efficiency of the straw. The simulation results are useful for selecting the lateral blade and evaluating the groove effect.

Optimized Design and Experiment of a Self-Covering Furrow Opener for an Automatic Sweet Potato Seedling Transplanting Machine

The yield and quality of sweet potatoes are significantly influenced by the transplantation posture of sweet potato seedlings. The performance of the sweet potato seedling transplanting opener directly affects the transplantation posture of sweet potato seedlings. In order to improve the yield and quality of sweet potatoes, this study proposes a joint simulation method based on discrete element and flexible multi body dynamics (DEM-FMBD), which optimizes the structure of a self-covering soil opener. By exploring the influence of self-covering soil trenchers on the planting depth and posture of sweet potato seedlings during horizontal transplantation, it was determined that the influencing factors of the experiment were wing spacing, soil reflux height, and soil reflux length. Based on the DEM-FMBD coupling simulation platform, single factor, and quadratic rotation orthogonal experiments were carried out. According to the results of the simulation test, the effect of the interaction of test factors on planting depth and planting attitude was analyzed by the response surface method. Finally, the optimal structural parameter combination was obtained by a multi-objective optimization method: the spacing of the wings was 58 mm, the height of the soil backflow port was 71 mm, and the length of the soil backflow port was 163 mm; thus, the quality of transplanting is improved effectively. This study provides the method and theory reference for the study of sweet potato transplanting.