Innovative design and simulation research of the knotter for square balers

The knotter is a vital component of square balers, with their performance critically determining baling quality, equipment reliability, and operational efficiency. Historically, China has depended on imported knotters for square balers, leading to excessively high procurement and maintenance expenditures. This study addresses the pronounced wear and limited service life of D-type knotters, primarily attributed to excessive impact loads experienced during the knotting process. A novel low-stress knotting design is introduced, which strategically repositions components most susceptible to wear. By incorporating a rope clamping mechanism to absorb the majority of the impact force transmitted by the twine, the distribution of forces across key knotter elements is substantially optimized, thereby enhancing durability and operational reliability. Dynamic simulations based on the RecurDyn platform confirm the functional robustness and precise timing synch ronization of the proposed clamping device. The actual clamping force consistently surpasses the theoretical minimum requirement of 440.26 N, effectively preventing slippage of the twine. Simulation outcomes indicate that the average jaw force is reduced to 30.33 N following the design modification, representing a 91.07% decrease compared to the original configuration. These findings conclusively affirm the enhanced load-bearing capability of the redesigned knotting mechanism.