Design and Experiment of a Crawler-Type Harvester for Red Cluster Peppers in Hilly and Mountainous Regions

Jiaxuan Yang, Xinyan Qin (), Jin Lei, Lijian Lu, Jianglong Zhang and Zhi Wang
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Jiaxuan Yang: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Xinyan Qin: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Jin Lei: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Lijian Lu: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Jianglong Zhang: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Zhi Wang: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: To improve the mechanization levels of red cluster pepper harvesting in hilly and mountainous regions of southwest China, a crawler-type harvester is developed to suit the local planting and growth characteristics of red cluster pepper and to facilitate mechanized picking, conveying, and collecting processes. The design, supported by theoretical calculations and structural analysis, includes detailed studies of the picking, conveying, and collecting mechanisms, as well as the hydraulic system. Factors affecting picking efficiency were identified. ADAMS simulation was used to determine the optimum rotational speed range for the spring-tooth roller by analyzing its trajectory. A prototype was then built and field tested with forward speed and the spring-tooth roller’s rotational speed as variables to assess impurity, damage, loss, and hanging rates. Data from these tests were analyzed using Design Expert software, which created a mathematical model relating the test indices to the two variables. Optimum parameters were identified, resulting in a harvester configuration that achieved an average productivity of 0.21 ha·h −1 at a forward speed of 1.75 m·s −1 and a roller rotational speed of 181 r·min −1 . The impurity rate was 26.7%, the loss rate was 6.1%, the damage rate was 2.3%, and the hanging rate was 4.2%, conforming to the industry standard DG/T 114-2019. This research provides a viable solution for mechanized harvesting of red cluster pepper in hilly and mountainous regions with small planting plots.

Keywords: red cluster pepper; harvester; spring-tooth roller; conveying device; field test (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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