Features of modernization hydro-pneumatic sowing machine

Abstract

Well-known hydraulic and pneumatic sowing machine designs cause damage to seeds and their sprouts during sowing. The modernised hydro-pneumatic sowing machine is designed to incorporate devices to improve seed quality. It includes: a system for disinfecting seeds, a device for treating seeds with ultra-high frequency radiation, a device for counting germinated seed leaves and counting the number of seeds. The coulter structure was modernized which ensure that germinated seeds are evenly sown using the hydro-pneumatic method.
Researches were conducted on the physical and mechanical properties of vegetable seeds. The friction coefficient of the seed against the working surfaces of the spoon and the wall of the seed box and other additional organs affects the quality of seed sowing, the number of passes and sprouts damaged during sowing. The lowest friction on work surfaces made of PVC and PTFE materials was determined. The friction coefficient is reduced by using germinated seeds as sowing material, which results in an average increase of 48 % in the quality of sowing compared to non-productive seeds. The use of aqueous seed fluid increases the quality of spoon-tightening the seeds. This aqueous-seed fluid soaks the seeds during the sowing process.
This promotes the reorientation of the seeds in the spoon and ensures that they are firmly anchored.
The optimum performance parameters of the hydro-pneumatic seeder are determined by three factors.
The results showed a seed pass of 2.55% according to the determining factors in the range: shaft rotation frequency 18.42...19.17 s-1 , spring rigidity for holder 541...547 N/m, airflow rate directed to the seed box 5.78...6.15 m/s. This technology eliminates skipping seeds and avoids damage to the sprouts during the sowing of vegetables with a hydro-pneumatic sowing machine, it is an economical process and makes it possible to obtain early products.