Design and Testing of Transplanting Hole-Forming Machine for Potted Rapeseed Seedlings

A new pure rolling-type hole-forming machine for transplanting rapeseed has been developed in accordance with agricultural requirements. The motion of the pure rolling-type mechanism is analyzed to derive parametric equations for the hole-forming mechanism. Computer-aided design and MATLAB are then used to generate theoretical contours and outlines of the transplanting hole. Simulation analysis is conducted to obtain the contours of the transplanting hole, and the resulting structure and motion parameters are verified. Subsequently, a prototype is produced and field testing is performed. Experimental results indicate that, when the machine is in low gear, its forward speed is in the range 1.80-1.96 km/h, corresponding to an operational efficiency of 0.306-0.333 hm2/h. When tested in clay, loamy, and sandy soils, the average qualification rate of hole formation reaches 94.4%, 93.3%, and 90.4%, respectively. These results confirm that the transplanting hole-forming machine developed in this study satisfies the design requirements, representing a significant advance in the provision of technical support for new transplanter designs.