Simulation and Experiment of the Interaction Process Between Seeding and Soil-Engaging for Transverse Sugarcane Planter

Uneven seed spacing, skewed stalk posture, and inconsistent planting depth remain major challenges in horizontal sugarcane planting. To address these issues, a semi-automatic transverse sugarcane planter integrating a supply–buffer–discharge seeder and multiple soil-engaging components was developed. The seed placement process and the interaction between stalk discharge and soil disturbance were investigated through Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations and experiments. First, the working principle and key component parameters of the whole machine were determined. It integrated the processes of soil crushing, furrowing, seeding, ridge covering. In addition, a dynamic analysis was conducted on the inter-particle disengagement effect during the two-step seed filling process of lifting and discharging. Secondly, a discrete element simulation model for the entire process of soil-engaging seed arrangement operations was established for the machine. The effects of forward speed and seed outlet position were studied using a discrete element method (DEM) simulation model that coupled soil disturbance flow with stalk-seed discharge behaviour. Furthermore, a response surface methodology (RSM) experiment was performed on the seeding test bench to quantify the effects of guiding parameters on seed placement uniformity. The determination coefficient (R2) of the established regression model exceeded 0.9, indicating high prediction accuracy. The optimal collaborative parameter combination was optimized as follows: forward speed of 1.2 m·s−1, buffer inclination angle of 55°and supply roller speed of 26 r·min−1. After verification, the seed placement uniformity coefficient of the seeder reached 91.8 ± 1.4%, which met the expected accuracy requirements for horizontal planting.