Optimization and test of pneumatic lifting seed distributor for maize plot seeder

IntroductionThe seed distributors are the core components of the plot seeder. Their functions are to distribute the seeds evenly to the seed metering device corresponding to each sowing row. In order to solve the problem of uneven seed distributing of the seed distributor of maize plot seeder under...

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Main Authors: Qingbin Song, Pengfei Zhao, Yubin Bi, Zuoli Fu, Yuxiang Huang, Yi Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1469963/full
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_version_ 1850040607695699968
author Qingbin Song
Pengfei Zhao
Yubin Bi
Zuoli Fu
Yuxiang Huang
Yuxiang Huang
Yi Zheng
author_facet Qingbin Song
Pengfei Zhao
Yubin Bi
Zuoli Fu
Yuxiang Huang
Yuxiang Huang
Yi Zheng
author_sort Qingbin Song
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe seed distributors are the core components of the plot seeder. Their functions are to distribute the seeds evenly to the seed metering device corresponding to each sowing row. In order to solve the problem of uneven seed distributing of the seed distributor of maize plot seeder under tilted state, this study designed a pneumatic lifting seed distributor and optimized its structure and working parameters.MethodsA theoretical analysis of the seed distributing process was carried out. The sliding, rolling and bouncing states of maize seeds on the cone were analyzed. The parameters’ range that affected the seed distributing uniformity of the seed distributor were determined through single-factor tests. A three-factor three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) test was carried out with cone height, seed storage tube diameter and seed storage tube lifting height as the test factors.ResultsIt was concluded that sliding down along the cone surface was the best movement way of seed distributing. The BBD test results showed that cone height, seed storage tube diameter and seed storage tube lifting height had highly significant effects on the variation coefficients of seed distributing uniformity in the three situations that the seed distributor were horizontally tilted at 0° vertically tilted at 0°, horizontally tilted at 5° vertically tilted at 0°, and horizontally tilted at 5° vertically tilted at 5°. The optimal structural and operational parameter combination of the seed distributor were as follows: cone height of 77 mm, seed storage tube diameter of 70 mm, and seed storage tube lifting height of 42 mm. Under this parameter combination, the bench test was carried out to verify that the variation coefficient of seed distributing uniformity were 5.13%, 7.07%, and 6.54% when the seed distributor were in three tilted states. The test results were basically consistent with the predicted values. The variation coefficient of seed distributing uniformity in field test was 1.23 percentage points lower than that of the traditional seed distributor.DiscussionThe pneumatic lifting seed distributor has better seed distributing effect than traditional seed distributor.The research provided a technical reference for the optimization and improvement of the seed distributor of the plot seeder.
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issn 1664-462X
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-e0aed43532a147479a5ab44fcae40a962025-08-20T02:56:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-03-011610.3389/fpls.2025.14699631469963Optimization and test of pneumatic lifting seed distributor for maize plot seederQingbin Song0Pengfei Zhao1Yubin Bi2Zuoli Fu3Yuxiang Huang4Yuxiang Huang5Yi Zheng6College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, ChinaShaanxi Engineering Research Center for Agricultural Equipment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, ChinaQingdao Eplot Machinery Co., Ltd., Qingdao, ChinaIntroductionThe seed distributors are the core components of the plot seeder. Their functions are to distribute the seeds evenly to the seed metering device corresponding to each sowing row. In order to solve the problem of uneven seed distributing of the seed distributor of maize plot seeder under tilted state, this study designed a pneumatic lifting seed distributor and optimized its structure and working parameters.MethodsA theoretical analysis of the seed distributing process was carried out. The sliding, rolling and bouncing states of maize seeds on the cone were analyzed. The parameters’ range that affected the seed distributing uniformity of the seed distributor were determined through single-factor tests. A three-factor three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) test was carried out with cone height, seed storage tube diameter and seed storage tube lifting height as the test factors.ResultsIt was concluded that sliding down along the cone surface was the best movement way of seed distributing. The BBD test results showed that cone height, seed storage tube diameter and seed storage tube lifting height had highly significant effects on the variation coefficients of seed distributing uniformity in the three situations that the seed distributor were horizontally tilted at 0° vertically tilted at 0°, horizontally tilted at 5° vertically tilted at 0°, and horizontally tilted at 5° vertically tilted at 5°. The optimal structural and operational parameter combination of the seed distributor were as follows: cone height of 77 mm, seed storage tube diameter of 70 mm, and seed storage tube lifting height of 42 mm. Under this parameter combination, the bench test was carried out to verify that the variation coefficient of seed distributing uniformity were 5.13%, 7.07%, and 6.54% when the seed distributor were in three tilted states. The test results were basically consistent with the predicted values. The variation coefficient of seed distributing uniformity in field test was 1.23 percentage points lower than that of the traditional seed distributor.DiscussionThe pneumatic lifting seed distributor has better seed distributing effect than traditional seed distributor.The research provided a technical reference for the optimization and improvement of the seed distributor of the plot seeder.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1469963/fullagricultural machineryplot seedingpneumatic liftingseed distributing uniformitystructural parameter
spellingShingle Qingbin Song
Pengfei Zhao
Yubin Bi
Zuoli Fu
Yuxiang Huang
Yuxiang Huang
Yi Zheng
Optimization and test of pneumatic lifting seed distributor for maize plot seeder
Frontiers in Plant Science
agricultural machinery
plot seeding
pneumatic lifting
seed distributing uniformity
structural parameter
title Optimization and test of pneumatic lifting seed distributor for maize plot seeder
title_full Optimization and test of pneumatic lifting seed distributor for maize plot seeder
title_fullStr Optimization and test of pneumatic lifting seed distributor for maize plot seeder
title_full_unstemmed Optimization and test of pneumatic lifting seed distributor for maize plot seeder
title_short Optimization and test of pneumatic lifting seed distributor for maize plot seeder
title_sort optimization and test of pneumatic lifting seed distributor for maize plot seeder
topic agricultural machinery
plot seeding
pneumatic lifting
seed distributing uniformity
structural parameter
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1469963/full
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