Design and Test of Electromagnetic Vibration Type Fine and Small-Amount Seeder for Millet

Abstract

To solve the problem of large sowing amount and poor sowing uniformity for millet, according to the physical characteristics of the millet seed and its sowing agronomic requirements, an electromagnetic vibration type fine and small-amount seeder was designed, and the main technical parameters of the seeder were determined, in order to realize the functions of furrow opening, electronically controlled seed metering, soil covering and pressing. Based on the principle of electromagnetic vibration, an electromagnetic vibration type seed metering device was designed to achieve uniform seeding of the millet seed with a small sowing amount; a seeding amount electronic control device was designed using an STM32 microcontroller, which realized the switching to sowing agronomic mode and the adjustment of the seeding amount with sowing operation speed; a vibration experimental bench was set up to simulate the vibration state of field operation, and studies on the seeding performance and vibration damping of the seed metering device by the isolation spring were carried out, as well as field sowing tests for verification. When the working voltage of the seed metering device is 80–160 V, the coefficients of variation for seeding uniformity per row and for total seeding uniformity are not greater than 3.57% and 2.39%, respectively, and the seed damage rate is less than 0.5%. The installation of isolation springs can increase the maximum vibration acceleration of the seed metering device by 10.61–28.20%, significantly reducing the impact of external vibrations on the seed metering device. Within the range of suitable sowing operation speeds, the electronic control device can meet the seeding amounts along with sowing operation speed in the 6, 7.5 and 9 kg/hm2 sowing agronomic modes, and the coefficient of variation for seeding uniformity per row, for total seeding uniformity and for sowing uniformity are not greater than 4.63%, 2.48% and 23.38%, respectively. This study provides a reference for the development of sowing machinery for millet crop.