Transport performance simulation of separating system for self-propelled peanut harvester using edem software

This study evaluated a DEM (Discrete Element Method) model through test results and analysis results for the simulation of the conveying performance of the separating system in a peanut harvester. With the validated DEM model, analysis under three conditions of slope angle of separating system compare with horizon (-7°, 0°, and 7°) was also conducted to examine the conveying performance. From the comparison between the test results and simulation results, the conveying performances of 0° and 7° were observed to be the same at the initial period and completion period; however, the gradient of 0° and 7° from the simulation were higher than the ones from the test by 8.9% (0°) and 9.2% (7°). The higher gradient means that the transport performance is better. The gradient of -7° from the simulation was higher than the one from the test by 3.6%, and the amount of the peanuts from the simulation was larger than the test by 500 g at the initial period of 5 seconds. The higher gradient of the simulation was due to the losses at the collecting part as 3.4% (0°), 3.1% (7°), and 2.0% (-7°). The error in the amount of the peanuts (500 g) at the initial period of 5 seconds with -7° was due to the initial input difference between the test and simulation.