Working Performance of Bidirectional Profiling Press Device in Hilly Areas of Northeast China

Abstract

According to the conditions of seeding operations in hilly areas of Northeast China, a bidirectional profiling press device (BPPD) was designed. The BPPD mainly consists of a press roller and strength adjusting mechanism which could grant the BPPD horizontal and vertical profile ability. The orthogonal tests L9 (34) in the field were conducted to investigate the press roller types and operating parameters effects of the BPPD working performance. In the field tests, three kinds of press rollers—rubber press roller (RPR), planar press roller (PPR) and squirrel cage-type press roller (SPR)—were tested under the condition of three spring deformations (10 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm) and three forward speeds (3 km/h, 5 km/h and 7 km/h). The soil moisture content, average emergence time, emergence ratio, and plant height uniformity were tested as test indexes. Using statistical analysis software, the results of the orthogonal test are press roller type, spring deformation and forward speed have significant influence on the test indexes of soil moisture content, average emergence time, emergence ratio, and plant height uniformity which press roller type have highly significant influence on the average emergence time and emergence ratio index. Using a comprehensive weighted algorithm, the sequence of factors affecting the BPPD performance was determined: spring deformation, forward speed, and press roller type; optimal combination: press roller type PPR, a spring deformation of 20 mm, and a forward speed of 5 km/h.