Development and Research of a Trough-Profile Seed Guide for Uniform Seed Distribution Across the Working Width of a Sweep Opener

Sowing represents one of the most critical technological processes in grain production, where seed distribution uniformity directly impacts crop yield by determining plant nutrition area efficiency. Conventional sowing methods with varying row spacings often fail to ensure optimal area utilization. This study enhances subsoil-broadcast sowing quality through a novel trough-profile seed guide that ensures uniform seed distribution across the sweep opener’s working width. The research employed a combined methodology of theoretical analysis, DEM simulation, and experimental studies. Theoretical analysis demonstrated that sowing parameters depend mainly on seeder forward speed and the rotational speed of the seed-metering device’s rollers. DEM simulations visually confirmed the mechanism of ordered seed flow formation within the guide. Experiments simulated drill seeder operation, evaluating forward speed (1.2–2.4 m/s) and fluted roller rotational speed (20–25 rpm) effects on distribution uniformity and sowing instability. The results at 20 rpm with 2.0–3.0 grains per cell showed a standard deviation reaching 0.2–0.5 pcs. (CV: 13.0–24.2%). At 25 rpm, the deviation increased to 0.5–1.0 pcs. (CV: 18.2–39.4%). For total sowing instability at 20 rpm with 10.0–15.0 grains per opener, the standard deviation measured 0.3–3.3 pcs. (CV: 2.8–22.4%), while at 25 rpm, with 15.0–19.0 grains, values reached 0.5–3.9 pcs. (CV: 3.5–19.8%). All parameters conform to agrotechnical requirements, confirming solution effectiveness and addressing the literature gap in uniform seed distribution across the sweep opener’s working width.