Experiment and parameter optimization of an automatic row following system for the traction beet combine harvester

Abstract

To improve the automation level and operation quality of China's beet harvester and reduce the loss due to damaged and missed excavation, this study used a self-developed sugar beet combine harvester and field simulation experiment platform, based on the single-factor bench test of the automatic row following system in the early stage, taking hydraulic flow A, spring preload B, and forward speed C which have significant influence on performance indices as test factors, and taking the missed excavation rate, breakage rate and reaction time as performance indices, the orthogonal experimental study on the parameter optimization of the three-factor and three-level automatic row following system with the first-order interaction of various factors was carried out. The results of the orthogonal experiments were analyzed using range analysis and variance analysis. The results showed that there were differences in the influence degree, factor priority order and first-order interaction, and the optimal parameter combination on each performance index. A weighted comprehensive scoring method was used to optimize and analyze each index. The optimal parameter combination of the overall operating performance of the automatic row following system was A 2 B 2 C 1 , that is, the hydraulic flow was 25 L/min, the forward speed was 0.8 m/s, and the spring preload was 198 N. Under this combination, the response time was 0.496 s, the missed excavation rate was 2.35%, the breakage rate was 3.65%, and the operation quality was relatively good, which can meet the harvest requirements. The comprehensive optimization results were verified by field experiments with different ridge shapes and different planting patterns. The results showed that the mean values of the missed excavation rate of different planting patterns of conventional straight ridges and extremely large "S" ridges were 2.23% and 2.69%, respectively, and the maximum values were 2.39% and 2.98%, respectively; the average damage rates were 3.38% and 4.14%, and the maximum values were 3.58% and 4.48%, which meet the industry standards of sugar beet harvester operation quality. The overall adaptability of the automatic row following system is good. This study can provide a reference for research on automatic row following harvesting systems of sugar beets and other subsoil crop harvesters.

Design of Key Components for a New Rapeseed Windrower

“…Due to the large inertia force generated during the movement of the crank linkage mechanism, the reciprocating cutter bars typically generate a lateral force on the tool holder, which can result in high-frequency impact of the moving cutter bar on the tool holder, high levels of vibration, and even breakage of the cutter bar (Yang et al, 2019). In addition, in order to reduce the loss of rapeseed caused by the impact of the reel on rapeseed plants, the installation position of the reel on the rapeseed harvester has been adjusted, the harvesting loss has been reduced by extending the header (Wang et al, 2017), and scholars have also explored ways to reduce the rapeseed harvest loss rate by increasing the rotation radius of the reel and reducing the tine bar speed of the reel. However, the effectiveness of the current windrower when applied to tall, thick rapeseed plants is still poor, and the quality and efficiency of this operation still need to be improved.…”

Design of a deviation detection sensor and an auto-follow row system for corn harvesters

“…Some scholars have studied auto-follow row devices for mechanized harvesting of root crops. 10,11 Wu et al 12 designed a row detection mechanism to detect the position of the ridge top beetroot block, converted the offsets of excavation forward locus to angle quantity, and then sent the information to the offset angle acquisition sensor. Wang 13 designed a guiding system integrating mechanical and hydraulic guide technology.…”