Design and Optimization of a Reel Mechanism for Mechanical Harvesting of Lentil (Lens culinaris) Crop Using Bending Theory

Priyanshu Kumar; Subhash Chandra; Sanjay Kumar Patel; Sanjay Kumar; Abhishek Upadhyay; Adityanshu Tripathi

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i7.175596

Authors

Priyanshu Kumar Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University
Subhash Chandra Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University
Sanjay Kumar Patel Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University
Sanjay Kumar Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University
Abhishek Upadhyay Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University
Adityanshu Tripathi Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i7.175596

Keywords:

Mechanical harvesting, MATLAB Simulation, Reel-crop interaction, Reel Design, RSM, Stem Deflection

Abstract

Lentil (Lens culinaris) harvesting is challenged by low plant height and high pod shattering, which often leads to significant crop loss during the gathering phase. This study aimed to design specialized reel mechanism to optimize the mechanical relations between the reel and the crop, ensuring smooth feeding into the cutting and conveying units to minimize shattering loss. Mechanical crop modelling based on bending theory was adopted, where lentil stems were treated as elastic beams to relate the deflection angle (φ) to deflection force while considering flexural rigidity (D), ear weight (W), reel force (P), loading height (h_p) and reel kinematics. Mathematical expressions were evaluated using MATLAB within the selected crop parameter range. Crop deflection angle was optimized using RSM optimal (custom) design. Based on the optimized deflection angle, reel design parameters such as angular displacement between successive tine bars (α), number of tine bars (n), reel rotational velocity, and header advance per radian of reel rotation (R₀) were determined. Measured mechanical and physical properties of lentil plants were taken as the design inputs (W=0.025N, P=0.5N, D=30.1kNmm²and N=15rpm) to achieve adequate stem deflection for cutting lentil crop while minimizing shattering losses. The analysis showed that increasing the flexural rigidity of lentil stems decreased deflection, while reel force and pod weight increased the deflection angle. Loading point height significantly influenced crop position at the cutter bar, which guided the selection of reel radius (R), position and speed of reel. An appropriate lentil reel mechanism was designed using mathematical models with optimum parameters of R=35cm, φ=83.79°, Z_r=16cm, α=45.74°, n=6 and R_o=28cm.

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Author Biographies

Priyanshu Kumar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University

Farm Machinery and Power Engineering
Subhash Chandra, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University

Farm Machinery and Power Engineering
Sanjay Kumar Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University

Farm Machinery and Power Engineering
Sanjay Kumar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University

Farm Machinery and Power Engineering
Abhishek Upadhyay, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University

Farm Machinery and power Engineering (Agricultural Engineering)
Adityanshu Tripathi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University

Farm Machinery and Power Engineering

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