Optimization and Performance Evaluation of Toothed Disc Coulter Structure Parameters Based on DEM-MBD Coupling Technology

Selecting an appropriate disc coulter is crucial for reducing the power consumption of no-till seeders, preventing straw from being pressed into seed furrows, improving the soil penetration performance of the disc coulter, and thus minimizing the weight of no-till seeders. This study utilized the quadratic regression orthogonal rotation central composite approach. With the application of EDEM and RecurDyn software, a virtual simulation model of the interaction between a toothed disc coulter and soil was developed. The angle of front serration δ, the angle of rear serration θ, and the number of serrations n were taken as experimental factors. The draft Fv and penetration resistance FN were selected as performance evaluation indicators for parameter combination optimization simulation tests. The results indicated that δ, θ, and n have significant influences on Fv and FN (p < 0.05). When the optimized parameter combinations δ, θ, and n were respectively determined as 16°, 39.1°, and 13, both Fv and FN reached their minimum values. A comparative experimental study was conducted with the optimized toothed disc coulter and six existing disc coulters; under the working conditions of 14.4 km·h−1, both the draft and penetration resistance of the toothed disc coulter are minimized. The draft was 227.5 ± 8.9 N and the penetration resistance was 415.9 ± 5.3 N. Meanwhile, the toothed disc coulter had the highest ratio of soil disturbance area to draft, indicating better soil loosening effects.