Lodged Sugarcane/Crop Dividers Interaction: Analysis of Robotic Sugarcane Harvester in Agriculture via a Rigid-Flexible Coupled Simulation Method

As a critical component of the sugarcane harvester, the primary function of the crop dividers is to lift the lodged sugarcane (LS) and reduce the loss rate of the sugarcane harvest. In this study, a rigid-flexible coupling simulation method is proposed to improve the lifting efficiency of the crop dividers on severely LS and analyze the nature of interaction between the sugarcane stalk and the crop dividers. The model’s accuracy was verified using field experiments, and the operational performance of the crop dividers on sugarcane in different lodging postures was investigated. The results showed that the curve of the vertical height of the center (VHC) fluctuated more and slipped with highest frequency during the lifting process of side and forward LS. The speed of VHC was fastest during the lifting operation of side LS. The effect of side angle on the lifting effect of sugarcane was significant; the qualified values of the VHC of sugarcane being lifted in different lodged postures were: side and reverse lodged > side lodged > side and forward lodged. The coupling method and experimental results described in this paper can provide guidance for the optimal design and field operation of the crop dividers.

Optimization of Basecutter Structural Parameters for Under-the-Ground Sugarcane Basecutting

HighlightsAn under-the-ground basecutting mode was employed, which is different from the typical above-the-ground basecutting mode.A series of field experiments were carried out using the response surface methodology (RSM).The complicated effect of critical parameters on three indicators (stubble breaking index, stubble uprooting index, and power consumption) was explored.The optimal values of critical parameters were determined using a multi-objective optimization method.Abstract. Basecutting is an important process in mechanical sugarcane harvesting, thus, it’s necessary to develop a high-efficient basecutter. The previous research about basecutting has mainly focused on the above-the-ground basecutting instead of under-the-ground basecutting. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze how the critical structural parameters, such as blade number (BN), oblique angle and bevel angle of blades (OA, BA), affect the cutting performance of a sugarcane harvester with an under-the-ground basecutting mode. A series of field tests were carried out using Liugong sugarcane harvester. The experimental indexes were determined as stubble breaking index (BI), stubble uprooting index (UI), and power consumption (PC). The ANOVA results indicated that three regression models of indicators were significant, and were in agreement with the test data. Additionally, it was concluded that OA and BN were the two most important factors when optimizing BI, UI, and PC. BA was the last factor to be considered although it had significant effect on BI and UI. The multi-objective optimization results showed that the optimal parameter combination was 3 of BN, 10° of OA, and 20° of BA, and the corresponding BI, UI, and PC reached the minimum. For sugarcane growers, reduced stubble damage and power consumption could increase the sugarcane germination and decrease the harvesting cost, respectively. For sugarcane mills, this cutting mode might cause potential decrease in sugar quality, specifically sediment levels. However, this disadvantage could be overcome by optimizing basecutter parameters. Keywords: Basecutter, Cutting mode, Power consumption, Stubble breaking, Stubble uprooting, Under-the-ground basecutting.

Key Technologies of Crop Dividers of Sugarcane Harvesters: A Review

HighlightsThis article focuses on crop dividers of sugarcane harvesters.Four crop dividers were briefly reviewed.The research status of crop dividers was introduced.The potential new technologies and development directions of spiral crop dividers were presented.Abstract. The crop divider is an important mechanism of a sugarcane harvester, which affects the efficiency and quality of sugarcane mechanical harvesting. This article mainly summarized the key technologies of crop dividers. Firstly, four crop dividers (spiral crop divider, finger-chain crop divider, combined crop divider, and lever crop divider) were briefly reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of different crop dividers were then summarized. The research status of crop dividers was introduced with theoretical analysis, simulation studies, and field experiments. Finally, the scientific researches and commercial machines were compared for a comprehensive review. Additionally, the potential new technologies and development directions of spiral crop dividers were presented to improve the performance and adaptability of sugarcane harvesters. This article is expected to provide a reference for the design of crop dividers. Keywords: Crop divider, Mechanical harvesting, Sugarcane, Sugarcane harvester.

Sugarcane Basecutters: A Critical Review

HighlightsThis article is focused on the technology review of sugarcane basecutters.Two cutting theories and two cutting modes are briefly reviewed.Three optimization methods of parameters for the sugarcane basecutter are summarized.Four potential research interests to improve the basecutting quality are discussed.Abstract. Basecutter is a core component of a sugarcane harvester, and its performance significantly influences cane yield and harvesting efficiency. Therefore, it is meaningful to conduct a critical review of sugarcane basecutters. In this article, an introduction about basecutter structure was performed first; then two cutting theories (support/free cutting) and two cutting modes (straight/sliding cutting) were briefly reviewed; and the advantages and disadvantages of different cutting modes were summarized. It was followed by a comprehensive introduction of three optimization methods: theoretical analysis and simulation, indoor experiments, and field experiments. Finally, four potential research interests in improving basecutting quality and exploring the stubble damage process were discussed. In this review, the comprehensive, detailed, and accurate information about sugarcane basecutter was expected to provide engineers with a technology reference to improve the basecutting performance. Keywords: Basecutter, Cutting theories and modes, Optimization methods, Potential research interests, Sugarcane harvester.