An adaptive self-leveling chassis system for improving the adaptability of sugarcane harvesters on hilly terrains

To address the problems of excessive body tilt and potential safety risks encountered by sugarcane harvesters operating on sloped terrain, this study developed an automatic self-leveling chassis to improve operational stability and terrain adaptability. The system is based on hydraulic lifting and leveling principles, achieving real-time attitude adjustment through coordinated control of multiple hydraulic cylinders. A combined approach of mathematical modeling and simulation verification was employed to investigate key parameters, including the lateral and longitudinal rollover threshold angles and the minimum turning radius. The research combined theoretical analysis with experimental validation. Results from dynamic leveling tests indicate that, when the composite mode integrating active leveling and hydraulically interconnected suspension(HIS) was activated, the steady-state errors for lateral and longitudinal leveling were 0.10° and 0.13°, respectively. Under field conditions on uneven terrain, the chassis maintained a tilt angle within ±2° These results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed leveling system and demonstrate its potential for enhancing the operational safety of sugarcane harvesters on hilly terrains. This study provides a useful reference for the development of leveling technologies in similar types of agricultural machinery.