Simulation and Evaluation of the Performance of Pneumatic Residual Film Recycler Comb Teeth

The interaction law between soil and tillage components is the basis for designing and selecting soil tillage components. This paper uses the discrete element method to explore the soil penetration performance of the comb teeth of a pneumatic film-stripping tillage residual film recycler under different structural and working state parameters. The soil particle contact model is set up, the virtual prototype of the comb roller is established, and EDEM (Version 2018, DEM Solutions Company, Edinburgh, UK) discrete element software is applied to simulate the interaction between the comb roller and the soil particles during the residual film recycler’s operation. Simulation and test results show that using a spiral arrangement of tooth comb knives (Alar, 843300, China, Zhongyuan Stainless Steel Bending Manufacturing Co.) can reduce the impact load on the machine, improving the soil disturbance and facilitating the penetration of soil mulch. The composite force on the combing roller increases with comb depth in the soil for a combing roller depth of 6–18 cm. Moreover, the rotational speed varies within the range of 60–120 r/min. The forward speed of the recycling machine significantly affects the soil penetration performance of the comb roller; the power it consumes increases with forward speed. This study can provide a reference for the structural design and optimization of working parameters of future deep tillage machines.