Operating Speed Analysis of a 1.54 kW Walking-Type One-Row Cam-Follower-Type Cabbage Transplanter for Biodegradable Seedling Pots

Improving the operational speed of cabbage transplanters is essential for precision seed-ling placement and labor efficiency. In South Korea, manual cabbage transplanting can demand up to 184 person-hours per hectare, often leading to delays during peak periods due to labor shortages. Moreover, the environmental urgency to reduce plastic waste has accelerated the adoption of biodegradable pots in mechanized systems, supporting global sustainable development goals. This study aimed to determine optimal working conditions for a 1.54 kW semi-automatic single-row cabbage transplanter designed for biodegradable pots. The cam-follower-based planting mechanism was analyzed to identify ideal forward and rotational speeds, while evaluating power consumption and seedling placement quality. The mechanism includes a crank-driven four-bar linkage, with an added restoring spring for enhanced motion stability. A total of nine simulation trials were conducted across forward speeds of 250, 300, and 350 mm/s and planting unit speeds of 40, 50, and 60 rpm. Simulation and experimental results confirmed that a forward velocity of 300 mm/s and crank speed of 60 rpm produced optimal outcomes, achieving a vertical hopper displacement of 280 mm, minimal soil disturbance (2186.95 ± 2.27 mm2), upright seedling alignment, and the lowest power usage (17.42 ± 1.21 W). Comparative analysis showed that under the optimal condition, the characteristic coefficient λ = 1 minimized misalignment and power loss. These results support scalable and energy-efficient transplanting systems suitable for smallholder and mid-sized farms, offering an environmentally sustainable solution.