Theoretical Parameters for the Seeding Unit Disk of the Seeder for Hole Sowing of Soybean Seeds

Abstract

To ensure a given rate for seeding of soybean seeds by hole sowing, the sowing disk’s design parameters are presented: the number of cells and the distance between them depending on the diameter of the disk and the linear dimensions of the cell. An analytical relationship was obtained to determine the distance between seeds in a hole and between holes taking into account the central angles between the centers of cells in a group and groups of cells on the side surface of the seeding disk. The required number of cells on the sowing disk and its critical linear velocity were determined taking into account the rate of the seeding unit at which the filling of cells is guaranteed. As a result of the experiment, the following data were obtained: when the diameter of the seeding disk is 0.21 m and the diameter and height of cells are 0.008 m and 0.005 m, respectively, their total number on the side surface of the disk is 120 pcs. The central angle between the centers of cells in the group is 2° and that between the groups of cells is 5°. For the given values of the seeding disk’s design parameters and the given rate of soybeans’ sowing from 9 to 27 pcs./m, the distance between seeds in the hole varies from 0.025 to 0.074 m and that between holes from 0.062 to 0.185 m. This disk is designed and manufactured for laboratory research of the seeding unit for hole sowing of soybean seeds.