Investigation of Operating Performance of Single-Side Paddy Field Ridger Based on Discrete Element Method and Test Verification

In order to improve the quality and efficiency of a ridger and explore the effect of working condition on its performance, a coupling model of the key components of a single-side paddy ridger and soil was proposed based on discrete element method. Then, with the working parameters of the ridger as experimental factors and its soil firmness and torque as the evaluation indicators, an orthogonal test was designed, and a parameter optimization was conducted through response surface analysis method. The optimal working conditions were set as follows: forward speed of the machine at 0.3 m s-1, rotational speed of rotary tillage at 500 rpm, and the working depth of the rotary tillage at 200 mm. The corresponding soil firmness was 2,592.58 kPa, and the working torque of the rotary cutting soil and compacting ridger device was 255.1 and 360.1 N m, respectively. Finally, a torque calibration test on the compacting ridger device was conducted and a mathematical model of the torque measurement was established. By comparing the simulation optimization and experimental results, the relative error of the output torque of the compacting ridger device was 4.77%, and that of the ridge soil firmness was 6.77%.