Optimization Design and Test of Spike-Toothed Crop Divider

The crop divider is a crucial component of the sugarcane chopper harvester that has an important effect on the lifting performance of lodged sugarcanes. However, tropical weather and climate result in severe sugarcane lodging, which seriously hinders the sugarcane lifting process. To improve the lifting performance of crop dividers, a variable-spiral spike-toothed crop divider was designed. Some structural parameters of the bench test were designed. In this study, the forward speed, the rotational speed of the scrolls, and the installation angle of the scrolls were selected as test factors and the lifting angle of the sugarcane was selected as the test index. Based on a single-factor test, we found the optimum range of these test factors: a forward speed of 0.4~0.8 m/s, a rotational speed of the inside scrolls of 100~140 r/min, and an installation angle of the inside scrolls of 55°~65°. An orthogonal test was conducted to identify the relationships of test index and test factors. The regression model was obtained by fitting the test data and the response surface was established to analysis the interaction of test factors. According to Design Expert 8.0.6, the optimal factor combination of parameters was: a forward speed was 0.74 m/s, a rotational speed of the inside scrolls of 134 r/min, and an installation angle of the inside scrolls of 63.5°. Finally, the regression model was verified by the bench test. The relative error of the regression model of the lifting angle was 4.94%, which showed that the regression model was reliable. This study is expected to provide valuable references for the design and improvement of crop dividers.