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Design and testing of a soil-dividing device for a pineapple strip-tillage furrower
Haitian Sun1,2, Wei Zhang2, Hongxuan Wang1
1South Subtropical Crops Research Institute Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, International Joint Research Center for the Pineapple Cultivation Techniques, Zhanjiang, China.
Plos One
|July 17, 2026
Summary
A novel V-shaped soil-dividing device was developed for pineapple cultivators to reduce soil backfilling and maintain trench shape. Optimized parameters achieved a 38.12% soil backfilling rate, advancing cultivation mechanization.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Engineering
- Soil Mechanics
- Precision Agriculture
Background:
- Pineapple cultivation faces challenges with high soil backfilling rates and trench shape instability in strip-rotary cultivators.
- Existing machinery struggles to maintain optimal trench geometry during operation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and validate a V-shaped soil-dividing device for pineapple strip-rotary cultivators.
- To optimize the device's operational parameters to minimize soil backfilling rates and ensure trench stability.
Main Methods:
- Structural modeling using SolidWorks and discrete element method (DEM) simulation in EDEM for parameter determination.
- Stress analysis using ANSYS to verify structural integrity.
- Central composite response surface methodology in Design-Expert 12 for optimizing operational parameters (installation distance, V-angle, blade roller speed, forward speed).
Main Results:
- The V-shaped soil-dividing device demonstrated effectiveness in managing soil flow and trench formation.
- Optimal operational parameters identified: V-angle of 30°, forward speed of 3.7 km/h, blade roller speed of 290 r/min, and installation distance of 125 mm.
- Achieved a minimum soil backfilling rate of 38.12%, meeting pineapple planting requirements.
Conclusions:
- The developed V-shaped soil-dividing device successfully addresses soil backfilling and trench shape maintenance issues.
- The optimized parameters provide a practical guideline for enhancing the efficiency of pineapple cultivation machinery.
- This research contributes to the advancement of mechanization in pineapple farming.
