Authors

Abstract

A self-propelled crawler and potato harvester was designed, with the terrain characteristics of both hilly and mountainous areas considered, to address the low degree of mechanization, markedly low obvious rate, and high labor intensity of potato harvesting in hilly and mountainous areas. The harvester could complete the tasks of digging potatoes, separating potatoes from the soil, transporting potatoes, and collecting potatoes in a single operation. Finite element analysis was conducted on major parts, such as the digging shovel and the frame, based on the overall structure and working principle of the harvester. A field experiment was then conducted. The results of the finite element analysis showed that the maximum stress of the digging shovel was 37.969MPa, the maximum strain was 0.0001846 mm/mm, and the total deformation was 0.804mm. These measurements were within a safe range. The field experiment results showed that the obvious rate, bruising rate, and damage rate of the potatoes were 98.54%, 1.51%, and 1.31%, respectively that is, higher than the national standards for potato harvesters. The potato harvester exhibited reliable walking performance and harvesting performance, which could provide a reference for research on the mechanization of potato harvesting in hilly and mountainous areas.

Abstract in Chinese

针对丘陵山区马铃薯收获的机械化程度低、明薯率低和劳动强度大的问题，结合丘陵山区地形特点，设计了一种履带自走式马铃薯收获机。该收获机能够一次性完成丘陵山区单垄双行马铃薯的挖掘、薯土分离、输送和集薯装箱的工作。在阐述收获机整体结构和工作原理的基础上，完成对挖掘铲和机架等关键部件的有限元分析，并进行了田间收获试验。有限元分析结果表明，挖掘铲的最大应力为37.969MPa，最大应变为0.0001846 mm/mm，总变形为0.804mm，均在安全范围内。田间试验结果表明，该收获机明薯率为98.54%，破皮率为1.51%，伤薯率为1.31%，各项数据指标均符合马铃薯收获机国家标准的要求。该马铃薯收获机通过性能和收获性能良好，为丘陵山区复杂地形马铃薯全程机械化收获的研究提供参考。