Development of Centrifugal Disc Spreader on Tracked Combine Harvester for Rape Undersowing Rice Based on DEM

Abstract

Rape undersowing rice is an effective method to solve the problem of short crop rotation in rice-rape rotation. Applying of ground fertilizer to rape is one of the most critical aspects in this planting pattern. However, a special fertilizer spreading is required after the rice is harvested, which increases the labor intensity and the compaction of rape and soil and is also hindered by a lack of equipment to complete the harvesting and fertilizer spreading simultaneously. In response to the above issues, a centrifugal disc spreader on a tracked combine harvester for rape undersowing rice was developed. The basic parameters of the spreader were designed based on the agronomic requirements for fertilization and tracked combine harvester. Kinematic and kinetic models of fertilizer particles were developed to determine the key parameters that affect fertilizer spreading. Based on discrete element simulations, the effects of single structure and interaction of centrifugal disc spreader on fertilizer distribution pattern were investigated. The spreading range and coefficient of variation of fertilizer lateral distribution regression models were constructed, and the spreader parameters were optimized based on the regression models. The simulation results and fertilizer spreading performance were verified by bench tests. The results show that the distribution of fertilizer from simulation tests and bench tests was consistent. The coefficient of variation of fertilizer lateral distribution was 13.1% for the simulation test and 14.6% for the bench test. The error of simulation test was 10.3%, which indicates that the simulation result was reliable. The developed centrifugal disc spreader can meet the needs of fertilizer spreading for rape undersowing rice. The results serve as a theoretical basis for the design of a fertilizer spreader and provide new ways to promote accurate and efficient spreading of fertilizer.

Design and Experiment of Lightweight Dual-Mode Automatic Variable-Rate Fertilization Device and Control System

“…Compared with other variable-rate fertilization devices [12,13], it has obtained a more extensive range of variable-rate fertilizer regulation, achieved variable-rate strip fertilization, and spread fertilization at the target rate of 200~1800 kg/ha. When spreading fertilization, the fertilization amount was controlled by adjusting the outer groove wheel fertilizer discharger, the centrifugal fan controlled the fertilization distance, and the superimposed swing spreading fertilization mode was used to improve the uniformity and accuracy of fertilization [21,25].…”

“…The optimal parameters were obtained by analyzing the relationship between the distribution of fertilizer particles and the operational parameters of the centrifugal fertilizer applicator, and the average coefficient of variation of the effective fertilization area was 16.74% [24]. A centrifugal fertilizer spreader was used for rape undersowing rice on a crawler combine harvester, and the coefficient of fertilizer lateral distribution variation in simulation tests and bench tests was 13.1% and 14.6% [25]. However, the existing fertilization devices cannot perform automatic variable-rate fertilization or have a small range of variable-rate fertilization.…”

Simulation Analysis and Parameter Optimization of Seed–Flesh Separation Process of Seed Melon Crushing and Seed Extraction Separator Based on DEM

“…This method, grounded in Newton's second law and Euler's equations, has proven to be an effective tool for predicting the kinematic behavior of granular materials with precision [19]. Due to its accuracy and efficiency, DEM has found extensive applications in research related to agricultural machinery [20][21][22][23][24].…”

Design and Testing of a Clamping Manipulator for Removing Abnormal Plants in Rape Breeding

“…Therefore, by designing a single-factor test, we studied the influence of the output pressure on the clamping force of the manipulator and the influence of the output pressure (X 1 ), the pulling angle (X 2 ) and the pulling speed (X 3 ) on the rape uprooted removal rate (Y 1 ), the rape removal breakage rate (Y 2 ) and the pulling force (Y 3 ). The rape uprooted removal rate is the ratio of the number of rapes successfully removed by the clamping manipulator in a test group to the number of all rapes in a test group, which can be expressed as Formula (1). The rape removal breakage rate is the ratio of the number of rapes broken by the clamping manipulator in a test group to the number of all rapes in a test group, which can be expressed as Formula (2).…”

“…Rapeseed is the third largest oil crop in the world. It is also an important edible and industrial raw material and plays an important role in food and other industries [1][2][3][4]. Hybrid oilseed rape exhibits significant advantages in terms of yield and traits, including robust plants with vigorous nutrition [5][6][7].…”