Optimization of the front-mounted fertilizer pipe strip rotary tillage device by modeling the wide-seedbed characteristics and power consumption

Abstract

Conventional wheat wide-seedbed strip rotary tillage devices face several disadvantages, including low straw cleaning efficiency, inadequate soil pulverization, inconsistent sowing depth, and high-power consumption. Therefore, this study introduces a novel front-mounted fertilizer pipe wide-seedbed strip rotary tillage device. The fertilizer pipe is strategically positioned within the gap between the rotary tillage blade groups, enabling an integrated operation with the rotary tillage blade assembly. To minimize trenching resistance, the design combines the fertilizer pipe with a sliding knife. Through theoretical analysis, this study analyzes the operating principles of the front-mounted fertilizer pipe wide-seedbed strip rotary tillage device, explores the structural characteristics of the Standard strip rotary tillage blade Group (SG) and Trapezoidal straight blade Group (TG), and examines the sources of power consumption during operation. A corresponding discrete element simulation model is constructed, and its validity is confirmed through soil bin experiments. These experiments underscore the model’s effectiveness. Subsequently, the study compares the effects of the SG and TG on the wide-seedbed strip rotary tillage device based on simulation experiments. Additionally, a regression orthogonal rotation combination experimental design is employed to investigate how the rotation speed of the strip rotary tillage blade group, the forward spacing between the fertilizer pipe and blade shaft, and the types of blades affect straw cleaning and soil crushing. Moreover, response surface methodology is employed to clarify the influence of these factors on the experimental outcomes. Optimization results indicate that under a rotation speed of 270 rpm for the strip rotary tillage blade group, a forward spacing of 30 mm, and a combination of SG and TG, the device performs optimally. Under these conditions, it achieves a theoretical straw cleaning rate of 55.38 %, a soil crushing rate of 79.56 %, and a total power consumption of 3.26 kW. These findings support the development and optimization of wheat wide seedling belt sowing devices.