Optimal Design of and Experiment on a Dual-Spiral Ditcher for Orchards

Jianfei Liu, Ping Jiang, Jun Chen, Xiaocong Zhang, Minzi Xu, Defan Huang and Yixin Shi ()
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Jianfei Liu: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Ping Jiang: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Jun Chen: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Xiaocong Zhang: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Minzi Xu: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Defan Huang: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Yixin Shi: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: This study aimed to design a counter-rotating dual-axis spiral ditcher to address the problems of the lack of ditching models, low ditching quality, and high power consumption in ditching operations in hilly and mountainous orchards. By establishing a discrete element simulation model of the interaction between the dual-spiral cutter and the soil, we analyzed the effects of different operating parameters on the ditching performance and power consumption to explore the mechanism of the interaction between the soil-engaging components and the soil; meanwhile, according to the simulation data, we took the forward speed, cutter speed, and ditching depth as the experimental influencing factors, and we took the ditching qualification rate and power consumption as the experimental indicators. Then, through a three-factor and three-level orthogonal experimental analysis, we obtained the optimal parameter combination. Based on the optimized simulation results, a prototype ditcher was fabricated, and the results of a soil trough test showed that the ditcher had a stable ditching performance, an average ditching qualification rate of 91.4%, an average soil crushing rate of 72%, and a ditching adjustment structure that could adjust the ditching depth and width within the ranges of 15–25 cm and 10–20 cm, respectively. The optimized ditcher had high efficiency, stability, and energy savings during its operation, and it was able to meet the agronomic requirements for ditching operations. This study provides a design basis and technical support for dual-spiral trial ditching operations.

Keywords: spiral cutter; discrete element simulation; parameter optimization (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: 2023
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