Design and test analysis of a rotary cutter device for root cutting of golden needle mushroom

To address the issues of poor harvesting efficiency, unsatisfactory cutting performance, and high energy consumption in current golden needle mushroom harvesting machinery, this study designed a novel rotary cutter-type root cutting device featuring a slitting cutting angle cutter. The device utilizes a clamping mechanism on a feed turntable to secure the mushrooms, with root cutting achieved through synchronized rotation of the rotary cutter and the turntable. The study commenced with a theoretical analysis of the device's trajectory displacement model and cutting process, determining the structural form and parameter ranges for key components. Utilizing EDEM discrete element software, simulation optimization tests were conducted using cutting force and unit area power consumption as evaluation metrics. Experiments investigated the effects of rotary cutter geometry and operational parameters, ultimately identifying the optimal cutter parameter combination: a sliding cutting angle of 26°, a cutting edge angle of 15°, and a thickness of 2 mm. The best operational parameters were determined to be a cutting speed of 1400 r/min, a turntable feed speed of 6 r/min, and a cutting height of 20 mm An test platform was constructed to validate the simulation results. The findings demonstrated that the new slitting angle cutter reduced cutting force by 39.4% and unit area power consumption by 24.5%. Additionally, the design significantly improved cutting flatness, ensuring that the device's performance and efficiency met the design requirements. This study provides an effective solution to key technical challenges in the mechanized harvesting of golden needle mushrooms.