Development of a Double-Shoot System on a Disc Drill

This research project developed a double-shoot apparatus to distribute seeds and fertilizer at an optimal agronomically and widely accepted placement. The research developed different concepts based on the study of the dynamics of the seeding implement affected by the addition of the double-shoot capability to the system. The capabilities were characterized with several field tests to evaluate their performances on different essential aspects of a disc drill. The selected concepts from the field results were validated using Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations, specially developed and validated with data obtained from the project. The field tests included the measurements of: seed-to-fertilizer vertical/horizontal separation, 3-D forces, and trials with crop residues. The field tests differed in the number of apparatuses tested, the number of locations used and the period of the year in which they were performed. The validations were based on DEM simulations, which were developed in parallel to an analytical soil mechanics model. The analytical model determined the draft forces on an analytical knife, which was also used into DEM simulations with first-generation soil bins. The drafts measured in first-generation soil bins were compared to the values predicted by the analytical model in order to determine the desired soil properties. The virtual disc drill was used to determine the seed-to-fertilizer reference values for the experiments, to predict the wear pattern of steel ground-engaging tools, and to predict the compressive forces, which were used to predict the wear rate of the knife. The analytical disc drill simulations were performed at two ground speeds prior to wheat sowing. The analyses that were made on the field results, have demonstrated that the Concept No. 2, and 3 (from a list of 7 concepts) had significant better product placements than the openers used as benchmark single-shoot and double-shoot. Also, these field results highlighted the fact that the Concepts No. 2, and No. 3 had a slightly better placement than the opener used as benchmark double-shoot from CNH Industrial Ltd. The 3-D force measurement experiments revealed significant difference between the openers depending on the direction (vertical load, side load, draft) of force tested. The forces could be statically different, but not in any major ways, except for the Concept No. 2 side load, which was constantly lower than any other side load forces. The field trials with crop residues revealed that the implements using the Concept No. 2, and 3 had superior performance to manage residues. The implements equipped with these two concepts were the only ones to pass through the varieties of residue and extreme conditions without plugging. The seed-to-fertilizer values extracted from the simulations were similar to the values from field experiments. Simulations confirmed the positions of high resistance sections (carbides) on the soil/residue scraper and predicted high wear locations on the knife. The simulated wear patterns on the scraper and on the knife were visually confirmed and validated throughout field tests. Furthermore, the knife wear rate prediction was determined using the Archard equation with the simulated compressive forces that requires protection for durability requirements