Evaluation of the Functional Parameters for a Single-Row Seedling Transplanter Prototype

Abstract

The development of an automatic seedling planting system for micro-farms requires testing under laboratory conditions to verify the theoretical relationships between essential functional parameters, working speed and planting time. The constructive dimensional values of the prototype, the results measured in stationary mode directly on the transplanter and the auxiliary equipment and the direct determinations of the working parameters on the soil bin are used. Depending on the characteristics of the soil bin trolley, a range of speeds is chosen at which the machine is tested. The data obtained validate the correct operation of the prototype at speeds close to those determined theoretically for the following indicators: distance between plants per row, planter wheel slippage, misplanted seedlings rate and seedling frequency, with results comparable to existing agronomic standards. Once the appropriate operating speeds of the machine have been obtained, between 0.304 and 0.412 m/s, with planting frequencies between 0.899 and 1.157 s−1 (respectively, 53.94 and 69.42 seedlings per minute), optimizations and adjustments of some machine components can be made, for subsequent testing in real field conditions.