RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE IMPROVED SEED DELIVERY SYSTEM OF A PNEUMATIC PRECISION SEEDER

The research is dedicated to improving the structural and technological parameters of pneumatic seeders, particularly the seed delivery system in John Deere 90 series seeders. It has been identified that existing designs have shortcomings, especially when using No-till, Strip-till, and Mini-till technologies, leading to uneven seeding and reduced yields. To enhance the efficiency of the crop seeding process, it is necessary to refine the design of the elements within the seed delivery system of the pneumatic seeder, including the seed decelerator, seed channel of the seeder shoe, and seed stabilizer, by employing well-founded structural and technological parameters that ensure precise seeding and by using materials that increase their durability. The goal of the research was to optimize the structural parameters of the seed delivery system by developing and testing a new seed decelerator. Experimental studies were conducted using a laboratory setup that allows for variation in parameters such as air flow speed, seeder movement speed, seed injection speed, and the ratio of outlet areas to the inlet area of the seed decelerator. As a result of the experimental studies, patterns of changes in air flow speed at the seeder shoe outlet, seed flow speed of rapeseed and peas, seeding rate, and accuracy (coefficient of variation) were established depending on the ratio of outlet areas to the inlet area of the seed decelerator, air flow speed at the inlet, seeder movement speed, and seed injection (dosing) speed. The results showed that increasing the air flow speed at the inlet leads to an increase in the flow speed at the outlet, which affects the seeding rate and accuracy. The seeder movement speed and seed injection speed significantly influence the seeding rate but may reduce accuracy. A relationship was established between the number of holes in the seed decelerator (ε), seeder movement speed, and seeding rate, allowing for maximum seeding accuracy. The obtained equations will be used for the automated control system of the seed decelerator damper.