Design and Experiment of DEM-Based Layered Cutting–Throwing Perimeter Drainage Ditcher for Rapeseed Fields

Xiaohu Jiang, Zijian Kang, Mingliang Wu (), Zhihao Zhao, Zhuo Peng, Yiti Ouyang, Haifeng Luo and Wei Quan
Additional contact information
Xiaohu Jiang: College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Zijian Kang: College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Mingliang Wu: College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Zhihao Zhao: College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Zhuo Peng: College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Yiti Ouyang: College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Haifeng Luo: College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Wei Quan: College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-24

Abstract: To address compacted soils with high power consumption and waterlogging risks in rice–rapeseed rotation areas of the Yangtze River, this study designed a ditching machine combining a stepped cutter head and trapezoidal cleaning blade, where the mechanical synergy between components minimizes energy loss during soil-cutting and -throwing processes. We mathematically modeled soil cutting–throwing dynamics and blade traction forces, integrating soil rheological properties to refine parameter interactions. Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations and single-factor experiments analyzed impacts of the inner/outer blade widths, blade group distance, and blade opening on power consumption. Results indicated that increasing the inner/outer blade widths (200–300 mm) by expanding the direct cutting area significantly reduced the cutter torque by 32% and traction resistance by 48.6% from reduced soil-blockage drag; larger blade group distance (0–300 mm) initially decreased but later increased power consumption due to soil backflow interference, with peak efficiency at 200 mm spacing; the optimal blade opening (586 mm) minimized the soil accumulation-induced power loss, validated by DEM trajectory analysis showing continuous soil flow. Box–Behnken experiments and genetic algorithm optimization determined the optimal parameters: inner blade width: 200 mm; outer blade width: 300 mm; blade group distance: 200 mm; and blade opening: 586 mm, yielding a simulated power consumption of 27.07 kW. Field tests under typical 18.7% soil moisture conditions confirmed a <10% error between simulated and actual power consumption (28.73 kW), with a 17.3 ± 0.5% reduction versus controls. Stability coefficients for the ditch depth, top/bottom widths exceeded 90%, and the backfill rate was 4.5 ± 0.3%, ensuring effective drainage for rapeseed cultivation. This provides practical theoretical and technical support for efficient ditching equipment in rice–rapeseed rotations, enabling resource-saving design for clay loam soils.

Keywords: rapeseed; peripheral ditch; stepped cutter head; trapezoidal ditch; discrete element method; power consumption (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: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1706/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1706/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:15:p:1706-:d:1719806

Access Statistics for this article

Agriculture is currently edited by Ms. Leda Xuan

More articles in Agriculture from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().