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Improved Design and Simulation of an Integrated Ridge-Breaking Earth Cultivator for Ratoon Sugarcane Fields

Author

Listed:
  • Biao Zhang

    (College of Mechanical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
    Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration Technology, Nanning 530007, China)

  • Jing Chen

    (College of Mechanical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

  • Yingying Zhu

    (College of Mechanical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

Abstract

Ridge-breaking earth cultivation is a new agronomic technology that simplifies and efficiently cultivates ratoon sugarcane. However, traditional cultivators cannot adapt to the distribution of residual stumps, inter-row specifications, and hardened clay soil. This results in substandard soil fragmentation, poor ridge quality, and reduced operational reliability. To address these issues, this article proposes an integrated earth cultivator structure capable of breaking ridges, loosening soil, and raising ridges simultaneously. It is designed to enhance the breaking of tillage layers and the filling of ridges through the coordinated action of multiple soil-engaging components. The effects of pre-loosening by the ridge-breaking plow, high-energy crushing, and throwing by the spirally arranged dense rotary blade group, and soil gathering by the deflector are comprehensively utilized. Additionally, lateral pushing by the ridging plough is employed. Discrete element and finite element simulation results show that densely toothed blades can improve soil supply capacity and structural reliability. This is achieved by increasing the amount of soil throwback and reducing concentrated stress levels. Soil fragmentation rate ( SFR ) and ridge height ( RH ) were further used as indicators. Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of operating parameters on breaking and ridging performance. The optimal parameter solution was determined as a forward speed of 0.85 m·s −1 and rotary speed of 289.7 r·min −1 . With this adaptive configuration, SFR and RH were improved by 12.4% and 38.5%, respectively, compared with conventional earth cultivators. Additionally, the RSM value of rotary tillage power ( P r ) was reduced by 39.6%. Improvements in crushing hardened fields, constructing ridges, and reducing cutting energy consumption have proven effective. This study can provide a reference for the development of earth cultivators based on new agronomy and specific field characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Biao Zhang & Jing Chen & Yingying Zhu, 2024. "Improved Design and Simulation of an Integrated Ridge-Breaking Earth Cultivator for Ratoon Sugarcane Fields," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:7:p:1013-:d:1423051
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jessica Lima Viana & Jorge Luiz Moretti de Souza & André Carlos Auler & Ricardo Augusto de Oliveira & Renã Moreira Araújo & Aaron Kinyu Hoshide & Daniel Carneiro de Abreu & Wininton Mendes da Silva, 2023. "Water Dynamics and Hydraulic Functions in Sandy Soils: Limitations to Sugarcane Cultivation in Southern Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, May.
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