Study on Optimal Working Conditions for Picking Head of Self-Propelled Pepper Harvester by Factorial Test

Abstract

Purpose: Pepper prices have risen continuously because of a decrease in cultivation area; therefore, mechanical harvesting systems for peppers should be developed to reduce cost, time, and labor during harvest. In this study, a screw type picking head for a self-propelled pepper harvester was developed, and the optimal working conditions were evaluated considering helix types, winding directions of helix, and rotational speeds of the helix. Methods: The screw type was selected for the picking head after analyzing previous studies, and the device consisted of helices and a feed chain mechanism for conveying pepper branches. A double helix and a triple helix were manufactured, and rotational speeds of 200, 300, and 400 rpm were tested. The device was controlled by a variable speed (VS) motor and an inverter. Both the forward and reverse directions were tested for the winding and rotating directions of the helix. An experiment crop (cultivar: Longgreenmat) was cultivated in a plastic greenhouse. The test results were analyzed using the SAS program with ANOVA to examine the relationship between each factor and the performance of the picking head. Results: The results of the double and triple helix tests in the reverse direction showed gross harvest efficiency levels of 60-95%, mechanical damage rates of 8-20%, and net marketable portion rates of 50-80%. The dividing ratio was highest at a rotational speed of 400 rpm. Gross harvest efficiency was influenced by the types of helix and rotational speed. Net marketable portion was influenced by rotational speed but not influenced by the type of helix. Mechanical damage was not influenced by the type of helix or rotational speed. Conclusions: Best gross harvest efficiency was obtained at a rotational speed of 400 rpm; however, operating the device at that speed resulted in vibration, which should be reduced.

Development of a Bionic Picking Device for High Harvest and Low Loss Rate Pod Pepper Harvesting and Related Working Parameter Optimization Details

“…Taken together, the above analysis shows that either too fast or too slow picking roller speeds will lead to an increase in the ground drop loss of pod peppers, and faster speeds will increase the damage rate of pod peppers. Kang et al designed an inclined auger pepper harvesting test stand [20], which determined the optimum speed for pepper picking by analyzing the effect of speed on the efficiency of pepper harvesting but did not further optimize this speed. As a result, the efficiency of the bench test was low, which increased the development cycle of the pepper harvester.…”

Investigation of Collision Damage Mechanisms and Reduction Methods for Pod Pepper

“…Analysis of the harvesting process of pod pepper shows that based on the experience of pepper harvesting, the damage in the harvesting process is mainly concentrated in the picking process, while the damage in the transportation and cleaning processes is relatively low [14][15][16][17][18]. The collision between pod pepper and comb fingers during the picking process can be divided into two stages: elastic deformation and damage.…”

Research Status and Development Trend of Intelligent Mechanized Pepper Harvesting

“…Yung-Etgar Institute of Agricultural Machinery, Israel, developed two-and four-row self-propelled pepper harvesters with tilting and unfolding double-spiral mechanisms as the picking device [15]. In 2008 Funk PA and Walker S J years tested five picking mechanisms for five varieties in two fields in Sego State, New County The results surface that the tilting and reversing double-opening spiral design of the pepper picking device with low relative tip speed had the highest harvesting efficiency and lowest breakage rate [16].…”