Optimization of the Diameter of the Suction Holes of the Vacuum Seeding Device

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the regularities of the influence of the diameter of the suction holes and the vacuum depth in the vacuum chamber of the precision seeding apparatus on the probability of the formation of group seed feeds. The study was of an experimental nature and was conducted with a specialized stand in laboratory conditions. The results showed that an increase in the diameter of the suction holes (at a constant value of the suction force) led to an increase in the frequency of formation of group seed feeds. Moreover, when the values of this factor varied from 4 to 5 mm (when sowing maize), practically no changes in the seed supply were observed. At the same time, a decrease in the diameter of the holes of the seeding disc to values less than 4 mm led to a sharp decrease in the likelihood of the formation of double feeds, and at d > 5 mm, the frequency of group feeds increased rapidly. This can be explained by two possible reasons: the error of the experiment, which led to a distortion of the result, or the regularity associated with the fact that in this interval (4...5 mm) the change in the parameter d is compensated by the variability of the main sizes of the sown seeds. In the first case, the dependence of the formation of the frequency of group feeds on the diameter of the suction holes is linear; in the second, it is cubic. The analysis of the obtained dependences shows that with a diameter of the suction holes of 1,0...2,9 mm, it is possible to ensure the operation of the vacuum seeding apparatus with a sufficiently high quality (practically without the formation of zero and group seed feeds) by excluding the reflector from the apparatus design. However, in this case, it is necessary to verify the reliability of each of the obtained dependences, since in the first case the required vacuum in the vacuum chamber is about 113 kPa, and in the second “only” 13.5 kPa.