Design and Performance Testing of a Multi-Variety Forage Grass Mixed-Sowing Seed Metering Device

Wenxue Dong, Anbin Zhang, Qihao Wan (), Fei Liu, Yingsi Wu, Yin Qi and Yuxing Ren
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Wenxue Dong: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Anbin Zhang: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Qihao Wan: Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot 010013, China
Fei Liu: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Yingsi Wu: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Yin Qi: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Yuxing Ren: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: Traditional fluted roller seed metering devices exhibit unstable seeding rates during forage seed mixed sowing. To address this issue, a new seed metering device was designed based on the agronomic requirements of forage seed mixing and the structural characteristics of fluted roller mechanisms. The discrete element method (DEM) was employed to numerically simulate the movement of particles within the seed metering device. Single-factor experiments identified optimal parameter ranges for the seed metering device: a metering shaft speed of 10–20 r/min, a seed inlet width of 8–24 mm, and a seed outlet height of 10–20 mm. A response surface methodology (RSM) experiment was then designed using Design-Expert 13 software. The results yielded optimal operating parameters: a metering shaft speed of 18.9 r/min, a seed inlet width of 9.3 mm, and a seed outlet height of 14.4 mm. The field experiment validated the seeding performance with the optimal parameter combination. The coefficient of variation ( CV ) for the first-class seed ( CV 1 ) was 4.16%, and for the second-class seed ( CV 2 ) it was 2.98%, both of which met the requirements for mixed sowing of forage.

Keywords: forage seeds; seed metering device; seed mixing; discrete element method (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
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