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Parameter Analysis and Field Tests of a Double Crank Multi-Rod under Plastic-Film Hill-Drop Mechanism Potato Planter

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Abstract

The new technology of filming in autumn and planting directly through the plastic film in spring is an effective water-saving method and drought-resistance commercial potato production. However, filming first and then planting is not compatible with the working of known potato mulching planters. In order to realize the hill-drop under plastic-film in potato seeding, a double crank multi-rod mechanism has been designed and a prototype built. Using computer-aided design software, the effect of several kinematic parameters upon the motion of the planter dibber has been systematically investigated. A mechanism with optimized parameters has then been built and tested in a dry farming area of the Loessal Plateau of Northwest China. Results showed that the qualified rate of sowing depth under plastic-film was 92%, the rate of hole dislocation was 5%, the qualified rate of hole distance was 88% and the mechanical-damage degree of plastic-film lighting surface was 52.1 mm/m2. The proposed planter meets all the agronomic requirements of hill-drop on plastic-film potato planting, and has the potential to perform well in other geographic areas, where comparable farming conditions exist.

Resumen

La nueva tecnología de colocar el plástico en el otoño y de plantar directamente a través del plástico en primavera, es un método efectivo de ahorrar agua y de producción de papa comercial resistente a la sequía. No obstante, la colocación del plástico primero y de sembrar después, es incompatible con el trabajo de las sembradoras con acolchado de la papa conocidas. A fin de comprender el surcado bajo la cubierta de plástico en la siembra de papa, se ha diseñado un mecanismo de doble manivela de biela múltiple construyéndose un prototipo. Mediante el uso de un programa diseñado en computadora, se ha investigado sistemáticamente el efecto de varios parámetros cinemáticos sobre el movimiento de la sembradora. Se construyó entonces un mecanismo con parámetros optimizados y se ha probado en un área de siembra seca de la planicie Loessal nor-occidental de China. Los resultados mostraron que el nivel satisfactorio de la profundidad de siembra bajo la película de plástico era del 92%, el nivel de desubicación del hoyo fue del 5%, el nivel calificado de distancia entre los hoyos fue 88%, y el grado de daño mecánico de la superficie reflejante de la película de plástico fue de 52.1 mm/m2. La sembradora propuesta reúne todos los requerimientos agronómicos del surcado en la siembra de la papa con plástico, y tiene el potencial de desempeñarse bien en otras áreas geográficas, donde existan condiciones de cultivo compatibles.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (51765004), Scientific Research Project of Institutions of Higher Learning in Gansu Province (2017D-13) and Gansu Agricultural University, FuXi Talent Program GAUFX-02 J01.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Mechano-Electronic Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Sun

  2. Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, USA

    P. A. Simionescu

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  1. Wei Sun
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  2. P. A. Simionescu
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Correspondence to Wei Sun.

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Sun, W., Simionescu, P.A. Parameter Analysis and Field Tests of a Double Crank Multi-Rod under Plastic-Film Hill-Drop Mechanism Potato Planter. Am. J. Potato Res. 97, 256–264 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-020-09773-5

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