agriculture
Article
Test and Simulation Analysis of the Working Process of
Soybean Seeding Monomer
Dongxu Yan 1 , Tianyue Xu 2 , Jianqun Yu 3 , Yang Wang 3 , Wei Guan 4 , Ye Tian 5 and Na Zhang 3, *
Citation: Yan, D.; Xu, T.; Yu, J.; Wang,
Y.; Guan, W.; Tian, Y.; Zhang, N. Test
and Simulation Analysis of the
Working Process of Soybean Seeding
Monomer. Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464.
https://doi.org/10.3390/
agriculture12091464
Academic Editors: Mustafa Ucgul
and Chung-Liang Chang
Received: 23 August 2022
Accepted: 12 September 2022
Published: 14 September 2022
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iations.
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
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Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
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4.0/).
Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12091464
1 Hua Lookeng Honors College, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
2 College of Engineering and Technology, Jilin Agriculture University, Changchun 130022, China
3 School of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
4 School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China
5 Center of Industry and Technology, Hebei University of Technology Petroleum, Chengde 067000, China
* Correspondence: zna18@mails.jlu.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-13844941571
Abstract: Soybean seeding monomers can realize the process of opening, seed throwing, covering,
and compacting when they work. Due to the complexity of their working process, the relevant
process cannot be analyzed by the discrete element method (DEM) alone. The DEM coupled with
the multi-rigid body dynamics method (MBD) can solve the above problem, and the simulation
analysis of the above process is realized by coupling the EDEM software with RecurDyn software.
The changes in the position of soybean seed particles before and after covering and compacting are
analyzed. The results show that when the working speed of the seeding monomer increases, the
distance along the vertical direction of the soybean seed particles after covering gradually increases,
and the distance along the horizontal direction gradually decreases. The effect of different working
speeds of seeding monomer on the opening situation and the variation in seed particle positions
is studied. The results show that the ditch angle gradually decreases as the working speed of the
seeding monomer increases. The distribution of seed particle spacing is also analyzed. The above
tests are simulated, and the results show a high agreement between the simulation and test results,
proving the accuracy of the coupling method. This paper applies the coupling method for the first
time to the simulation of the seeding monomer. This method can be applied not only to the analysis
of the sowing process of soybean seeding monomers, but also be applied to the analysis of other
machinery working processes, such as the tillage process, the sieving process, the planting and
harvesting processes of crops, etc. It also deepens the application of the discrete element method in
the field of agriculture.
Keywords: DEM; MBD; coupled simulation; seeding; soybean; seed–soil
1. Introduction
Currently, the discrete element method (DEM) has become a common method for
analyzing the contact interaction between particles and between particles and mechanical
components. It has been widely used in fields such as agricultural engineering [1–9].
Wang [10] analyzed the simulation and test results of the sieving process of a pendulum
screen based on the coupled DEM and multi-body dynamics (MBD) algorithms, using
AgriDEM software developed independently by the Digital Design Laboratory of the
College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University.
Yuan et al. [11] established a self-excited vibration deep loosening machine–soil system
model based on the coupling algorithm of DEM and MBD. AgriDEM software was used to
simulate and analyze the interaction between mechanical components and soil particles,
and the accuracy of the model was verified.
Xu [12] simulated the working process of the coverer and roller based on the coupling
algorithm of DEM and MBD, using EDEM software coupled with ADAMS software.
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/agriculture
Agriculture 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 14

was used to simulate and analyze the interaction between mechanical components and
Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464 soil particles, and the accuracy of the model was verified. 2 of 14
Xu [12] simulated the working process of the coverer and roller based on the cou-
pling algorithm of DEM and MBD, using EDEM software coupled with ADAMS soft-
ware.
The The feasibility
feasibility and applicability
and applicability of the coupling
of the coupling method method were verified
were verified by compar-
by comparing the
ing the displacement of seeds during
displacement of seeds during simulation and testing.simulation and testing.
The above
The above analysis
analysis shows
shows that
that thethe use
use of
of different
different software
software coupling
coupling methods
methods to to
analyze the field of agricultural machinery has been initially applied.
analyze the field of agricultural machinery has been initially applied. However, for the However, for the
sowing monomer,
sowing monomer, when when itit works
works under
under thethe action
action of
ofthe
thetraction
traction machine,
machine, the the processes
processes
of opening
of opening the the furrow,
furrow,throwing
throwingthe theseed,
seed,covering,
covering,andandcompacting
compactingcan canbe
berealized.
realized. The
The
whole process is a complex mechanical movement. It has not yet
whole process is a complex mechanical movement. It has not yet been analyzed and studied been analyzed and
studied
in depth.in depth.
In this
In this paper,
paper, testtest analyses
analyses of of the
the covering,
covering, compacting,
compacting, and and ditching
ditching of of seeding
seeding
monomers are
monomers are performed.
performed. On this basis, basis, an
an in-depth
in-depth study
study ofof these
these problems
problems is is carried
carried
out by
out by means
meansof ofsimulation
simulationanalysis.
analysis. The Thesimulation
simulation results
results are
are compared
compared with with the
the test
test
results to
results to prove
prove the
the feasibility
feasibility of
of the
thecoupling
coupling method
method and and the
the validity
validity ofof the
thesimulation
simulation
parameters. It
parameters. It provides
provides aa reference
reference forfor analyzing
analyzing andand optimizing
optimizing agricultural
agricultural machinery
machinery
components such as the opener, cover and roller. The method also
components such as the opener, cover and roller. The method also offers the possibility offers the possibilityfor
for simulation
the the simulation and and analysis
analysis of other
of other agricultural
agricultural machines.
machines.

2.
2. Composition
Composition and
and Structure
Structure ofof the
the Seeding
Seeding Monomer
Monomer
This
This paper takes the King Helen soybean seeding monomer
paper takes the King Helen soybean seeding monomer as as the
the test
test object,
object, whose
whose
2D
2D perspective view is shown in Figure 1. The seeding monomer mainly consists of
perspective view is shown in Figure 1. The seeding monomer mainly consists of the
the
opener, seed box, seedmeter, coverer, and roller through a combination
opener, seed box, seedmeter, coverer, and roller through a combination of connectingof connecting
devices.
devices. The
The main
main working
working parts
parts of
of the
the sowing
sowingunit
unitare
aredescribed
describedbelow.
below.

Figure1.
Figure 1. Two-dimensional
Two-dimensionalperspective
perspectiveview
viewof
ofthe
theseeding
seedingmonomer.
monomer.

2.1.
2.1. Opener
Opener
The
The function
functionofofthe
theopener
openerisismainly
mainly to to
open
openthethe
seed furrow,
seed guide
furrow, the the
guide seeds into into
seeds the
seed furrow
the seed and make
furrow the wet
and make soil
the wet cover
soilthe seeds
cover thewhen
seedsthe seeding
when the monomer is working.
seeding monomer is
Its main structure types are hoe shovel type, wide wing shovel type,
working. Its main structure types are hoe shovel type, wide wing shovel type, arrow arrow shovel type,
core share
shovel type,
type, slide
core knife
share type,
type, double
slide knifedisc
type,type, single
double disc
disc type,
type, etc. The
single discopener
type, etc.on The
the
seeding monomer of this paper is the core-share type opener, whose
opener on the seeding monomer of this paper is the core-share type opener, whose structure is shown in
Figure 2.
structure is shown in Figure 2.
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Figure
Figure2.2.
Figure (a)The
2.(a)The front
(a)Thefront view
frontview and
viewand (b)
and(b) top
(b)top view
viewofof
topview core-share
ofcore-share opener[13].
core-shareopener
opener [13].
[13].

2.2.Vertical
2.2. VerticalType-Hole
Vertical Type-HoleWheel
WheelSeedmeter
Seedmeter
Figure 2. (a)The front view and (b) top view of core-share opener [13].
Thevertical
The verticaltype-hole
type-holewheel
wheelseedmeter
wheel seedmetermainly
seedmeter mainlyconsists
mainly consistsofof
consists ofseed
seedcylinder,
seed cylinder,seed
cylinder, seedrower
rower
body,
body, type-hole
type-hole
2.2. Vertical wheel,
wheel,
Type-Hole seed
seed
Wheel scraperand
scraper
Seedmeter andseed
seed guard,
seedguard, etc.;
guard,etc.; see
etc.;see Figure
seeFigure
Figure3.3.
3.
The vertical type-hole wheel seedmeter mainly consists of seed cylinder, seed rower
body, type-hole wheel, seed scraper and seed guard, etc.; see Figure 3.

Figure 3.
Figure Structure diagram
3. Structure diagram of the
the type-hole
type-hole wheel
wheel seedmeter
seedmeter [13].
[13].
Figure 3. Structure diagram ofofthe type-hole wheel seedmeter [13].
Figure 3. Structure diagram of the type-hole wheel seedmeter [13].
2.2.1. Type-Hole Wheel
2.2.1.Type-Hole
2.2.1. Type-HoleWheel Wheel
2.2.1.The
Type-Hole
shape of Wheel
the profile hole can be cylindrical, conical, and hemispherical. In order
The shapeof ofthe
theprofile
profile hole can becylindrical,
cylindrical, conical, andhemispherical.
hemispherical. In order
to reduce damage to profile
The
The shape
shape of the the seed hole
hole can
when canbe be
cylindrical,
filling conical,
conical,
and scraping, and and
hemispherical.
generally, In orderIn
the type-hole is order
paired
to
towithreduce
toreduce
reduce damage
damage
damage to
toa thethe
theseed seed
seedwhen when
when filling
filling and
andand scraping,
scraping, generally,
generally, the type-hole
the the
type-hole isis
a front groove,to tail groove, or filling
a chamfer. scraping,
Its diameter generally,
and the type-hole
depth with is of the
size
paired
pairedwith
paired
soybean
with
with
seedaaafront
frontgroove,
front groove,
groove,
are sized
atail
a atail
to adapt.
tail groove,
groove,
groove, or
or aor aachamfer.
chamfer.
chamfer. Itsdiameter
diameter
Its diameter
Its anddepth
and depth
and depth
with the withthe
with the
size
sizeof
size of the
ofthe soybean
thesoybean
soybean seed
seed
seed are are
are sized
sized
sized toto to adapt.
adapt.
adapt.
In this paper, the seedmeter is a double-row type-hole wheel with a diameter of
Inthis
In this paper,
this paper,
paper,the theseedmeter
seedmeter is is
aisdouble-row
aadouble-row
double-row type-hole wheel
type-hole with awith
wheel diameter of 200 of
200 In mm, the
a hemispherical seedmeter
hole shape, type-hole
a hole diameter mm,with
wheel
of 8.5 andaa100
diameter
holes. of
diameter 200
200
When
mm, aa hemispherical
mm, hemispherical hole hole shape,
shape, a hole
a diameter
hole of 8.5ofmm,
diameter 8.5 and
mm, 100
andholes.
100 When
holes.the
When the
mm,
the a hemispherical
type-hole wheel hole shape,
rotates, the seedsa hole arediameter
distributedof 8.5 mm,each
inside andhole,
100 holes.
and When
the seedsthe
are
type-hole wheel
type-hole wheel rotates,
rotates, the
theseeds
seeds areare
distributed insideinside
distributed each hole,
each and theand
hole, seeds
theare
seeds are
type-hole
broadcast wheel
with rotates,
the rotation theofseeds
the are distributed
wheel. See Figure inside
4. each hole, and the seeds are
broadcast with the rotation of the wheel. See Figure 4.
broadcastwith
broadcast withthe therotation
rotationofofthe thewheel.
wheel.See SeeFigure
Figure4.4.

Figure 4. The double-row type-hole wheel.

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Figure 4. The double-row type-hole wheel.

2.2.2. Seed
2.2.2. Seed Scraper
Scraper
Theseed
The seedscraper
scraperused
usedonon thethe type-hole
type-hole wheel
wheel seed
seed meter
meter hashas various
various forms,
forms, and and
the
the common
common ones ones include
include brush,brush,
rubberrubber seed scraping
seed scraping tongue,tongue, brushscraping
brush seed seed scraping
wheel,
rubber
wheel, brush
rubberseed wheel,
brush seedsteel
wheel,knurled seed scraping
steel knurled wheel and
seed scraping so on.
wheel and The
so installation
on. The in-
position ofposition
the seed of
scraper is indicated byindicated
the β angle, ◦ . The seed scraper
stallation the seed scraper is by generally 22~45
the β angle, generally 22~45°. The
in thisscraper
seed paper isinathis
rubber seed
paper is scraper
a rubberwhose installation
seed scraper whoseangle β is 30◦ . In
installation order
angle to 30°.
β is avoidIn
damaging the seeds, the seed scraper cannot be installed vertically above
order to avoid damaging the seeds, the seed scraper cannot be installed vertically above the type-hole
wheel, so it should
the type-hole beso
wheel, installed
it shouldwithbe ainstalled
certain safety
with aangle
certain In thisangle
α. safety paper,α.angle is 10◦ ,
α paper,
In this
see Figure
angle α is 5.
10°, see Figure 5.

Figure5.5.The
Figure Theinstallation
installationangle
angleof
ofrubber
rubberscraping
scrapingtongue
tongue[13].
[13].

2.2.3.
2.2.3. Seed
Seed Guard
GuardPlate
Plate
The
The seed guardisisused
seed guard to to
used ensure thatthat
ensure the the
seedseed
in thein type-hole does does
the type-hole not fall
notout from
fall out
the type-hole during movement so that it reaches the seed-throwing place
from the type-hole during movement so that it reaches the seed-throwing place and is and is accurately
put into the put
accurately seedinto
furrow.
the The
seedmaterial
furrow.ofThethe seed guard
material ofisthe
made of guard
seed iron, plexiglass
is made or offoam,
iron,
and some seed guards are part of the seedmeter shell. In this paper, the seed
plexiglass or foam, and some seed guards are part of the seedmeter shell. In this paper, guard is made
of metal
the seedtin, which
guard is connected
is made of metalwith the seedmeter
tin, which shell.with the seedmeter shell.
is connected
2.3. Coverer
2.3. Coverer
After the seeds fall into the bottom of the furrow, the furrow opener will cover the
After the seeds fall into the bottom of the furrow, the furrow opener will cover the
seeds with a shallow layer of soil, and then it needs to be covered to make it reach a certain
seeds with a shallow layer of soil, and then it needs to be covered to make it reach a cer-
depth of coverage. The type of cover in this paper is a double-disc-type eight-character
tain depth of coverage. The type of cover in this paper is a double-disc-type
cover, as shown in Figure 6. The angle of tension of the double-disc cover can be adjusted.
eight-character cover, as shown in Figure 6. The angle of tension of the double-disc cover
When the cover tension angle was varied from 50◦ to 70◦ , the congestion of the disc was
can be adjusted. When the cover tension angle was varied from 50° to 70°, the congestion
relieved as the disc tension angle increased, indicating that the larger the tension angle
of the disc was relieved as the disc tension angle increased, indicating that the larger the
of the cover disc was, the less the soil was disturbed [14]. Based on the above study, the
tensionangle
tension angleofofthe
theoverburden
cover discdisc
was,isthe
60◦ less the the
during soilsimulation.
was disturbed [14]. Based on the
above study, the tension angle of the overburden disc is 60° during the simulation.
Agriculture 2022,12,
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Figure 6.
Figure 6. Double-disc-type
Double-disc-type eight-character
eight-character cover.
cover.

2.4.
2.4. Compacting
Compacting Roller
Roller
Compaction
Compaction is is very
very necessary
necessary after
after covering
covering soil. The main
soil. The main structure
structure types
types of
of com-
com-
pacting
pactingroller
rollerare:
are:aacylindrical
cylindricalcompacting
compactingroller, concave
roller, concave and
andconvex
convexcompacting
compacting rollers,
roll-
aers,
conical compound
a conical compound compacting roller,roller,
compacting rubberrubber
ring compacting roller, wide
ring compacting roller,compacting
wide com-
roller,
pacting narrow
roller, rubber
narrowcompacting roller, etc.
rubber compacting Theetc.
roller, roller
Theofroller
the seeding monomer
of the seeding in this
monomer
paper is a cylindrical compacting roller with a diameter of 260 mm and a working
in this paper is a cylindrical compacting roller with a diameter of 260 mm and a working width of
1000 mm, as shown in Figure 7.
width of 1000 mm, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7.
Figure 7. Cylindrical
Cylindrical compacting
compacting roller.
roller.

3.
3. Covering
Covering andand Compacting
Compacting Test Test
The
The tests
tests are
are conducted
conducted in in the
the soil
soil tank
tank test
test bed
bed of
of the
the agricultural
agricultural laboratory
laboratory ofof Jilin
Jilin
University.
University. The
The soil
soil type
type isis aasandy
sandyloam loamwith
withaamoisture contentofof1818±± 2%.
moisturecontent 2%. The
The soil
soil
tank test vehicle is connected to the seeding monomer; see Figure 8a.
tank test vehicle is connected to the seeding monomer; see Figure 8a. To construct the To construct the seed
furrow artificially,
seed furrow two sets
artificially, twoofsetsseedof furrows with awith
seed furrows height of 60 of
a height mm, a width
60 mm, of 150ofmm
a width 150
and
mm and a length of 4000 mm are constructed on the surface of the seed bed,the
a length of 4000 mm are constructed on the surface of the seed bed, and andseedthe
trench appears
seed trench in thein
appears middle, as shown
the middle, in Figure
as shown 8b. The8b.
in Figure seeds
Theare sown
seeds areby hand
sown bywith
hand a
distance of 300 mm between every two seeds. The place of the seeds
with a distance of 300 mm between every two seeds. The place of the seeds is marked onis marked on a string
on the outside
a string on theofoutside
the seedoftrench;
the seed see trench;
Figure 8c,d. The vertical
see Figure 8c,d. Thedistance of the
vertical seeds is
distance ofalso
the
measured, as shown in Figure 8e.
seeds is also measured, as shown in Figure 8e.
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Figure 8.
Figure 8. The
Thepictures
picturesofofthe
thecovering and
covering compacting
and testtest
compacting process, (a) the
process, seeding
(a) the monomer,
seeding (b)
monomer,
the seed furrow, (c) soybean seed particles seeded in the seed furrow, (d) the measurement of seed
(b) the seed furrow, (c) soybean seed particles seeded in the seed furrow, (d) the measurement of seed
particle spacing and (e) the measurement of vertical distance of soybean seed particles.
particle spacing and (e) the measurement of vertical distance of soybean seed particles.

The covering
The covering test
test is
is carried
carriedout
outas
asfollows:
follows:firstly,
firstly,only
onlythethecover
coverofofthethe sowing
sowing unit
unit is
is operated, the covering disc is tensioned at an angle of◦ 60°, and the test
operated, the covering disc is tensioned at an angle of 60 , and the test vehicle is driven at vehicle is driv-
enspeed
a at a speed
of 0.75of 0.751.11
m/s, m/s,m/s1.11
andm/s and
1.47 1.47After
m/s. m/s.covering,
After covering,
the soil the soil covering
covering the seedstheis
seeds is removed, and the horizontal and vertical distances of
removed, and the horizontal and vertical distances of the seeds are measured. The the seeds are measured.
change
The
in change
the positionin the position
of the soybean of the
seedsoybean
particlesseed
afterparticles
mulching after mulching and
is analyzed, is analyzed, and
the test data
the recorded.
are test data are recorded.
The compacting
The compacting test testwas
wascarried
carriedout
outasas follows,
follows, with
with thethe cover
cover andand compactor
compactor of
of the
the sowing
sowing monomer
monomer working
working simultaneously
simultaneously and theandcover
the cover disc tensioned
disc tensioned at an of
at an angle 60◦ .
angle
of 60°.covering
After After covering and compacting
and compacting thethe
the seeds, seeds, the removed
soil was soil was removed
from the top from ofthe
the top of
seeds,
the seeds, and the horizontal and vertical distances of the seeds were
and the horizontal and vertical distances of the seeds were measured. The change to the measured. The
change toofthe
position theposition
soybeanofseedthe soybean
particlesseed
afterparticles
compacting afterwas
compacting
analyzed,was andanalyzed, and
the test data
the test
were data were recorded.
recorded.

4. Covering and
4. Covering and Compacting
Compacting Simulation
Simulation
To
To simulate the working process
simulate the working process of
of the
the seeding
seeding monomer
monomer during
during the
the covering
covering and
and
compacting test, the
compacting test, thecoupling
couplingbetween
betweenEDEM
EDEM and
and RecurDyn
RecurDyn needs
needs to used.
to be be used. The
The sim-
simulation setup
ulation setup steps
steps areare
as as follows:
follows: import
import thethe STLfile
STL fileofofthe
the3D
3Ddiagram
diagram into
into RecurDyn
RecurDyn
software; set the material property of the part to “Steel”; and then set the
software; set the material property of the part to “Steel”; and then set the connection connection
method
method between
between thethe rigid
rigid bodies
bodies involved
involved inin the
the seeding
seeding monomer
monomer (see
(see Table
Table1).
1).

Table 1. Connection between rigid bodies in the seeding monomer.

Constraint Number Constraint Object Constraint Type

1 opener–ground sliding pair
2 seeding wheel–shaft revolute pair
3 coverer–shaft revolute pair
4 cross beam–back beam revolute pair
Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464 7 of 14

Table 1. Connection between rigid bodies in the seeding monomer.

Constraint Number Constraint Object Constraint Type

1 opener–ground sliding pair
2 seeding wheel–shaft revolute pair
3 coverer–shaft revolute pair
4 cross beam–back beam revolute pair
5 back beam–roller revolute pair

In order to realize the coupling of the two software types, it is necessary to set up the
corresponding settings in EDEM (Version 2018). After opening the EDEM software, it is
necessary to select RecurDyn Coupling in the coupling option of EDEM. Next, the wall
files are imported into EDEM. The height of the soil tank is set according to the height of
the seeding monomer. After analysis, the dimensions of the soil tank are determined as
4820 mm× 820 mm × 420 mm. The soybean seed variety in this paper is SN42 and has
an ellipsoidal shape, the DEM model of soybean seed particles was established using the
13-sphere model, and a population of soybean seed particles was generated in the simu-
lation according to a normal distribution [15,16]. The soil particle shapes are sphere-like
and triangle-like. In order to save simulation time, the soil particle model was simulated
with a particle size of 10 mm and a population of soil particles was generated according to
a uniform distribution. The physical and mechanical parameters of soybean seed particles,
soil particles and the material of the seeding monomer (galvanized steel) are determined
by the author’s period research, as shown in Table 2 [15,16].

Table 2. Physical and mechanical parameters of the simulated materials [15,16].

Material Density, kg/m3 Poisson’s Ratio Elasticity Modulus, Pa

Soybean 1257 0.4 7.60 × 108
Galvanized steel 7850 0.3 7.90 × 1011
Soil 1844 0.25 1.00 × 106

In order to save calculation time, the radius of soil particles is taken as 10 mm for the
simulation [17], and about 200,000 soil particles are generated according to the uniform
size. The contact model is the Edinburgh model [18–21].
At the time of simulation, the soybean variety is SN42. The parameters of the material
interactions during the simulation are measured. In this paper, the particle size becomes
larger during simulation, and the surface energy between particles is adjusted to 4 by
simulation analysis. The specific parameters are shown in Table 3 [15,16].

Table 3. Parameters of material interactions [15,16].

Parameter SN42–SN42 SN42–Soil Soil–Soil

Coefficient of restitution 0.627 0.75 0.6
Coefficient of static friction 0.2 0.254 0.9
Coefficient of rolling friction 0.02 0.011 0.7
Constant pull-off force, N 0 0 0
Surface energy, J/m2 0 0.5 4
Contact Plasticity Ratio 0.35 0.35 0.35
Slope Exp 1 1.5 1.5
Tensile Exp 1 1 1
Tangential stiff Multiplier 0.67 0.67 0.67

The coefficient of restitution, the coefficient of static friction, and the coefficient of
rolling friction between the soil particles and the soil tank and the soybean seed particles
and the soil tank have little effect on the simulation results in this paper. Therefore, the
values are taken by the system as default.
Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464 8 of 14

Agriculture 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 14

Figure 9 shows a screenshot of the simulation interface of the two software types at
different simulation moments for a seeding monomer working speed of 1.47 m/s.

Figure 9.
Figure 9. Screenshot
Screenshot of
of (a)
(a) EDEM
EDEM simulation
simulation and
and (b)
(b) RecurDyn
RecurDyn simulation
simulation at
at tt == 22 s.
s.

5.
5. Analysis
Analysis of
of the
the Results
Results
Analysis
Analysis and statistics
and statistics of
of the
the changes
changes in
in the
the position
position of
of soybean
soybean seed
seed particles
particles after
after
covering
covering and compacting, the opening of the furrow opener and the distribution of
and compacting, the opening of the furrow opener and the distribution of grain
grain
spacing
spacing at
at different
different working
working speeds
speeds were
were carried
carriedout.
out.
5.1. Analysis of Covering and Compacting Results
5.1. Analysis of Covering and Compacting Results
The change in the position of soybean seed particles after covering is compared with
The change in the position of soybean seed particles after covering is compared
the test results. When conducting the simulation, the +X direction was set as the horizontal
with the test results. When conducting the simulation, the +X direction was set as the
driving direction of the seeding monomer, the Z-axis direction corresponded to the lateral
horizontal driving direction of the seeding monomer, the Z-axis direction corresponded
displacement of the test, and the Y-axis direction corresponded to the vertical direction.
to the lateral displacement of the test, and the Y-axis direction corresponded to the ver-
The analysis process for the variation in horizontal and vertical displacements of a
tical direction.
seed particle is taken as an example. The position of the soil particle without covering is
The analysis process for the variation in horizontal and vertical displacements of a
shown in Figure 10a. Figure 10b shows the position of the soybean seed particle when it
seed particle is taken as an example. The position of the soil particle without covering is
has been covered with soil. Figure 10c shows the position of the soybean seed particles
shown in Figure 10a. Figure 10b shows the position of the soybean seed particle when it
in the soil after compacting. Zooming in on the images, it can be clearly observed that
has been covered with soil. Figure 10c shows the position of the soybean seed particles
the soybean seed particles are significantly displaced in the X-axis direction, as shown in
in the soil
Figure 10d.after
Five compacting.
soybean seedZooming
particles in
areon the images,
selected it can
to obtain be clearlyon
information observed that
the position
of soybean seed particles in the X, Y and Z directions, and the test data are analyzed. in
the soybean seed particles are significantly displaced in the X-axis direction, as shown
Figure 10d. Five soybean seed particles are selected to obtain information on the position
of soybean seed particles in the X, Y and Z directions, and the test data are analyzed.
Agriculture 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 14
Agriculture 2022, 12,
Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464
x FOR PEER REVIEW 99of
of 14

Figure 10. Position of soybean seed particles in the soil (a) before covering, (b) after covering, (c)
after
Figurecompacting andof(d)
10. Position
Position partially
soybean enlarged
seed view.
particles
Figure 10. of soybean seed particles inin
thethe
soilsoil
(a) (a) before
before covering,
covering, (b) after
(b) after covering,
covering, (c)
(c) after
after compacting and (d) partially enlarged view.
compacting
5.1.1. and of
Analysis (d)Covering
partially enlarged view.
Test Results
Analysis
5.1.1.The of Covering
simulation and testTest Results
results
Results[14] of the change in the vertical and horizontal po-
sitionThe
of soybean
simulation seed
simulationand particles
andtest before
testresults
results[14] and
[14]of of
theafter
the covering
change
change in at
in the the different
andworking
vertical
vertical and speeds
horizontal
horizontal of
po-
position
the
of seeding
soybean
sition monomer
seed
of soybean seed are
particles shown in
beforebefore
particles and Figure
after 11. The
covering
and after bars inatthe
at different
covering figure are
working
different the
working error
speeds band
of
speeds the
of
resulting
seeding from
monomer the processing
are shown of
in the
Figurereplicate
11. Thetest and
bars in simulation
the seeding monomer are shown in Figure 11. The bars in the figure are the error the figure results
are the and
errorare ex-
band
pressed
resultingasfromthe the
from standard deviation.
theprocessing
processing of of The
thethe analysis
replicate
replicate shows
test test
and that
simulation
and when
simulation theresults
results working
and are and speed
expressedof
are ex-
the
as seeding
the standard
pressed monomer increases,
deviation.deviation.
as the standard the
The analysis distance
Theshows
analysisalong the
thatshows
when thatvertical
the working direction
when the speed of the soybean
of thespeed
working seeding
of
seed particles
monomer
the seeding after covering
increases,
monomer gradually
theincreases,
distance along increases,
the
the distance vertical
alongandthethe
direction distance
of the
vertical along of
soybean
direction the
seedhorizontal
the particles
soybean
direction
after gradually
seed covering
particles after decreases.
gradually Theand
increases,
covering simulation
gradually theincreases,
distanceresults
andhave
along the
thedistance
the samealong
horizontal trend as the
direction
the test re-
gradually
horizontal
sults as
decreases.a whole.
The simulation results have the same trend as the test
direction gradually decreases. The simulation results have the same trend as the test re- results as a whole.
sults as a whole.

Figure 11. The relationship between the change in the position of soybean seed particles after covering
and the working speed of the seeding monomer of (a) vertical and (b) horizontal.
Agriculture 2022,
Agriculture 2022, 12,
12, x
x FOR
FOR PEER
PEER REVIEW
REVIEW 10 of
10 of 14
14

Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464 Figure 11.

11. The
The relationship
relationship between
between the
the change
change in
in the
the position
position of
of soybean
soybean seed
seed particles 10 cov-
particles after
after of 14
Figure cov-
ering and the working speed of the seeding monomer of (a) vertical and (b) horizontal.
ering and the working speed of the seeding monomer of (a) vertical and (b) horizontal.

5.1.2. Analysis
5.1.2. Analysis of of the
the Results
Results ofof the
the Compacting
Compacting Test Test
The simulation
The simulationand
simulation andtest
and testresults
test results[14]
results [14]
[14] of
ofof the
thethe change
change
change in the
in
in the the vertical
vertical
vertical and
and and horizontal
horizontal
horizontal positionpo-
po-
sition
sition of
of soybean
soybean seed
seed particles
particles before
before and
and after
after compacting
compacting at
at different
different
of soybean seed particles before and after compacting at different working speeds of the working
working speeds
speeds
of
of the seeding
the
seeding seeding
monomer monomer
monomer are shown
are
are shown shown in Figure
in
in Figure Figure 12. Analysis
12.
12. Analysis Analysis
showsshows
shows that
thatthat
with with
with the
thethe increase
increase
increase in
in
in the
thethe working
working
working speedspeed
speed of the
of the
of the seeding
seeding
seeding monomer,
monomer,
monomer, the change
the change
the change in thein the
inpositionposition
the position of soybean
of soybean
of soybean seed
seed particles
seed particles
particles in both
in
in both both horizontal
horizontal
horizontal and
and and vertical
vertical
vertical directions
directions
directions after
afterafter compacting
compacting
compacting shows
shows
shows aa trend
a trendtrendof
of
of gradually
gradually
gradually becoming
becoming
becoming larger.
larger.
larger. When
When
When the
the the working
working
working speed speed
speed of seeding
of
of the the seeding
the seeding
monomermonomer
monomer
is 1.11is m/s,
is 1.11
1.11
m/s,
m/s, the horizontal
the horizontal
the horizontal and vertical
and vertical
and vertical position
positionposition changes
changeschanges
in soybean in soybean
in soybean seed differ
seed particles
seed particles differfrom
the most
particles differ the
the
most
the test
most from
from the
results, test results,
andresults,
the test and
the differencethe difference
between them
and the difference between them
and them
between and
the test
and the
is the test
1.69test is 1.69
mmis and mm
1.69 1.33
mm mm, and
and
1.33 mm, respectively,
respectively,
1.33 mm, respectively, which
which is awhich is aa relatively
relatively
is relatively
small value.small
small value. Therefore,
Therefore,
value. Therefore,
it can be ititconsidered
can be
can be considered
considered
that the
that thesimulation
overall
that the overall simulation
overall simulation
results andresults andresults
the test
results and the test
the testare
results are relatively
relatively
results are relatively closeother.
close to each
close to each
to each other.
other.

Figure 12.
Figure 12. The relationship
relationship between the
the change in
in the position
position of soybean
soybean seed particles
particles after
Figure 12. The
The relationship between
between the change
change in the
the position ofof soybean seed
seed particles after
after
compacting
compacting and the working speed of the seeding monomer of (a) vertical and (b) horizontal.
compacting and the working
and the working speed
speed of
of the
the seeding
seeding monomer
monomer of
of (a)
(a) vertical
vertical and
and (b)
(b) horizontal.
horizontal.

The change
The change in in the
the position
position of of soybean
soybean seed
seed particles
particles in in the
the vertical
vertical direction
direction after
after
covering and
covering and after
and after compacting
after compactingatat
compacting atdifferent
differentworking
different workingspeeds
working speeds
speeds is
is is shown
shown
shown in
in in Figure
Figure
Figure 13.
13.13. It can
It
It can can
be
be
be seen
seen from
from the
the analysis
analysis that
that the
the change
change in
in the
the vertical
vertical direction
direction of
of soybean
soybean
seen from the analysis that the change in the vertical direction of soybean seed particles in seed
seed parti-
parti-
cles
cles in the
in
the soilthe soilcovering
soil
after after covering
after covering
and after andcompacting
and after compacting
after compacting is not
is not significant.
significant.
is not significant. The maximum
The
The maximum maximum dif-
dif-
difference
ference
ference between
betweenbetween the
the two the two
two
is 3.7 mm is 3.7
is when mm
3.7 mm when
thewhen the working
the working
working speed
speed of speed of the seeding
of themonomer
the seeding monomer
seeding monomer
is 0.75 m/s. is
is
0.75
The m/s. The
minimum
0.75 m/s. minimum difference
differencedifference
The minimum between
between between the
the two the two
is 1.77
twomm is 1.77 mm
when
is 1.77 mmthe when the
working
when working
speed of
the working speed
the
speed
of the seeding
seeding
of the seeding
monomer monomer is
is 1.11 is
monomer 1.11 m/s.
m/s.
1.11 m/s.

Figure 13. The change in the position of soybean seed particles in the vertical direction after covering
and after compacting at different working speeds.
Agriculture
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2022,12,
12,xxFOR
FORPEER
PEERREVIEW
REVIEW 11
11 of
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14

Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464 Figure

Figure13.
13.The
Thechange
change in
in the
theposition
positionofofsoybean
soybean seed
seed particles
particlesin
in the
thevertical
vertical direction 11 cov-
directionafter
after of 14
cov-
ering and after compacting at different working speeds.
ering and after compacting at different working speeds.

The
Thecomprehensive
The comprehensiveanalysis
comprehensive analysisshows
analysis showsthat
shows thatthe
that thefaster
the fasterthe
faster theworking
the workingspeed
working speedof
speed ofthe
of seeding
theseeding
the seeding
monomer, the greater the change in the position of the soybean
monomer, the greater the change in the position of the soybean seed particles thatthat
monomer, the greater the change in the position of the soybean seed
seed particles
particles that oc-
oc-
occurs.
curs.
The The
curs.reasonreason
The reason for
for this this
foristhisis that
thatisthe
that the faster
the faster
faster the seeding
the seeding
the seeding monomer
monomermonomer works
worksworks in contact
in contact
in contact with
with with the
the
the soil
soil
soil particles,
particles,
particles, the
the more
the more more kinetic
kinetic
kinetic energyenergy
energy the
the soil soil
soil particles
the particles will will
particles will have,
have,have,
which which
which
meansmeans
that that
means the
thatsoil
the the
soil
soilparticles
particles will will
particles will
be be
bedisplacedmoremore
displaced
displaced more
when when
theythey
when comecome
they come to
torest.
to rest. The
Theseeding
rest.seeding
The seeding monomer
monomer
monomer cou-
cou-
coupling
pling
plingsimulation
simulation resultsresults
simulation results
have thehave
have the same
sametrend
thetrend
same the as
trend
as asthe
testthe test
testresults,
results, results,
and theand
and the
the parameters
chosencho-
parameters
parameters cho-
for
sen
sen for
forthe
the coupling
coupling simulation
simulation
the coupling simulation are reasonable. are
are reasonable.
reasonable.

5.2.
5.2.Analysis
Analysisofofthe
theOpen
OpenFurrow
FurrowResults
Results
The ditch angle θ
The ditch angle θ of the openerwhen
of the opener whenthe
theworking
workingspeed
speedofofthe
theseeding monomerisis
seedingmonomer
1.47
1.47 m/s, as shown in Figure 14. The red particle in the figure is the SN42 soybean seed
m/s,
m/s, as
as shown
shown in
in Figure
Figure 14.
14. The
The red
red particle
particle in
in the
the figure
figure is the SN42 soybean seed
particle
particlethat
thatisisfalling
fallingdown.
down.

Figure
Figure14.
14.The
Theditch
ditchshape
shapediagram
diagramatataaaseeding
seedingmonomer working
monomerworking speed
workingspeed of
speedof 1.47
of1.47 m/s.
1.47m/s.
m/s.
Figure 14. The ditch shape diagram at seeding monomer

The
The ditch
The ditch angle
ditch angle is
angle isis analyzed
analyzed at
analyzed at the
at the simulation
the simulation moment
simulation moment of
moment of 111 s,
of s, 222 sss and
s, and 333 sss when
and when the
when thethe
working
working speed
speed of
of the
the seeding
seeding monomer
monomer is
is 0.75
0.75 m/s,
m/s, and
and the
the average
working speed of the seeding monomer is 0.75 m/s, and the average value is obtained. Theaverage value
value isis obtained.
obtained.
The
The ditch
ditch angleangle
ditch of theof
angle the
theatsoil
ofsoil soil atat working
working working
speeds speeds
of 0.75of
speeds 0.75
ofm/s, m/s,
0.751.11 1.11
m/s,m/s m/s
1.11and and
m/s1.47 andm/s 1.47 m/s
1.47are are
areana-
m/sanalyzedana-
lyzed separately,
lyzed separately,
separately, and
and the and the
results results
theareresults
shownare shown
areinshown
Figure 15. in Figure
in Figure 15. The
15. The
The analysis analysis
showsanalysis shows
that theshows that
ditchthat the
the
angle
ditch
tends angle
ditch to
angle tends to decrease
tendsgradually
decrease to decrease as thegradually
gradually
workingas as the working
the working
speed speed of
speedmonomer
of the seeding the seeding
of the seeding increasesmonomer
monomer
within
increases
the range within
increases within the
studied the range
range
in this studied
paper.studied
When in this
inthe
this paper.
paper. When
working Whenis
speed the
the working
working
0.75 m/s, the speed
speed isis 0.75
maximum m/s,
0.75ditch
m/s,
the
angle is 94.5◦ . ditch
the maximum
maximum ditch angle
When isis 94.5°.
the working
angle When
94.5°.speed
Whenof the
the working
the seedingspeed
working monomer
speed of
of the
theisseeding
1.47 m/s,
seeding monomer
the ditch
monomer isis
1.47
anglem/s,
is the
the ditch
smallest,angle
and is the
the smallest,
value is and
90.31 ◦ . the value is 90.31°.
1.47 m/s, the ditch angle is the smallest, and the value is 90.31°.

Figure
Figure15.
15.The
Theditch
ditchangle
angleof
ofthe
thesoil
soilat differentworking
atdifferent workingspeeds.
speeds.

From the above analysis, it can be seen that the ditch angle gradually decreases as
the working speed of the seeding monomer increases. The likely reason for this is that the
faster the seeding unit works in contact with the soil particles, the greater the kinetic energy
Agriculture 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 14
Agriculture 2022,
Agriculture 2022, 12,
12, xx FOR
FOR PEER
PEER REVIEW
REVIEW 12 of
12 of 14
14

Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464 From

From thethe above
above analysis,
analysis, it
it can
can bebe seen
seen that
that the
the ditch
ditch angle
angle gradually
gradually decreases12 ofas
decreases as
14
From the above analysis, it can be seen that the ditch angle gradually decreases as
the working
the working speed
working speed
speed of of the
of the seeding
the seeding monomer
seeding monomer increases.
monomer increases. The
increases. The likely
The likely reason
likely reason for
reason for this
for this is
this is that
is that
that
the
the
the faster
faster the
the seeding
seeding unit
unit works
works inin contact
contact with
with the
the soil
soil particles,
particles, the
the greater
greater the
the kinetic
kinetic
the faster the seeding unit works in contact with the soil particles, the greater the kinetic
energy
energy of
of the
the soil
soil particles,
particles, which
whichinresults
results in
in more
more soil particles
soil being
particles being
being distributed
distributed on
on the
the
energy
of of
the soil the soil
particles,particles, which
which results results in
more soil more soil
particles particles being
distributeddistributed on
on the outside the
of
outside
outside of
of the
the seed
seed furrow.
furrow.
outside
the seedoffurrow.
the seed furrow.
5.3.
5.3. Seed
Seed Spacing
Spacing Analysis
Analysis
5.3. Seed Spacing Analysis
In the
In the simulation,
simulation, aa
the simulation, 10 mm
mm × ×× 10
10 mmmm ××× × 10
10mmmmparticle
particlefactory
factoryis isset
set up
up atat the
the seed
In simulation, a 10
10 mm
10 mm × 10 mm 10
10 mm
mm particle
particle factory
factory is
is set
set up at the seed
seed
discharge
discharge
discharge portport
port
port ofof
of the
the
of the seedmeter,
seedmeter,
the seedmeter,
seedmeter, and and
and
and thethe
the soybean
soybean
the soybean seed
seed
soybean seed particles
particles
seed particles areare
particles are generated
generated
are generated in
generated in in
the the
the par-
particle
in the par-
discharge par-
ticle
factoryfactory
ticle factory
factory at
at a rate a rate
at aaofrate of
10 per
rate 10
of s.
10Theper s.
perspeed The speed
Theofspeed
s. The of the
the particle
speed particle
thefactory
of the particle factory
is factory
the is
sameis
factory the
isasthe same
that
the of the
same as that
that of
asseedingof
ticle at of 10 per s. of particle same as that of
the
the seeding
monomer.
seeding monomer.
Therefore,
monomer. Therefore,
the theoretical
Therefore, the
the theoretical
seed spacing
theoretical seed
for
seed spacing
soybean
spacing for soybean
seeding,
for soybean seeding,
corresponding
seeding, cor-
to
cor-
the seeding monomer. Therefore, the theoretical seed spacing for soybean seeding, cor-
responding
the forward to
responding to the
the forward
speed of speed
the seeding
forward of
of the
speedmonomer, the seeding
was 75
seeding monomer,
mm, 110 was
monomer, was 75
mm, and
75 mm,
mm,147110 mmmm,
110 and
for 0.75
mm, 147
andm/s,
147
responding to the forward speed of the seeding monomer, was 75 mm, 110 mm, and 147
mm
1.11
mm for
m/s,
for 0.75
and
0.75 m/s,
1.47
m/s, 1.11 m/s,
m/s,
1.11 and 1.47
respectively.
m/s, and 1.47 m/s,
m/s, respectively.
respectively.
mm for 0.75 m/s, 1.11 m/s, and 1.47 m/s, respectively.
The
The distribution
distribution of of soybean
soybean seed seed particles
particles inin the
the soil
soil after
after covering
covering and compacting
The distribution of soybean seed particles in the soil after covering
covering and
and compacting
compacting
compacting
the
the seeds
seeds
the seeds
seeds at at
at different
different
at different working
working
different working speeds
speeds
working speeds
speeds is is
is shown
shown
is shown
shown inin
in Figures
Figures
in Figures 16–18.
16–18.
Figures 16–18.
16–18.
the

Figure
Figure 16.
16. Distribution
Distribution of
of soybean
soybean seed
seed particles
particles in
in the
the soil
soil in
in (a)
(a) XOY
XOY plane
plane and
and (b)
(b) XOZ
XOZ plane
plane at
at aaa
Figure 16. Distribution of soybean seed particles in the soil in (a) XOY plane and (b) XOZ plane at
working speed of 0.75
of 0.75 m/s.
0.75 m/s.
m/s.
working speed of m/s.

Figure 17. Distribution of soybean seed particles in the soil in (a) XOY plane and (b) XOZ plane at a
Figure
Figure 17.
17. Distribution
Distribution of
of soybean
soybean seed
seed particles
particles in
in the
the soil
soil in
in (a)
(a) XOY
XOY plane
plane and
and (b)
(b) XOZ
XOZ plane
plane at
at aaa
Figure
working17. Distribution
speed of 1.11 of
1.11 m/s.
m/s.soybean seed particles in the soil in (a) XOY plane and (b) XOZ plane at
working
working speed
speed of
of 1.11 m/s.
working speed of 1.11 m/s.

Figure 18. Distribution of soybean seed particles in the soil in (a) XOY plane and (b) XOZ plane at a
Figure
Figure 18.
18. Distribution
Distribution of
of soybean
soybean seed
seed particles
particles in
in the
the soil
soil in
in (a)
(a) XOY
XOY plane
plane and
and (b)
(b) XOZ
XOZ plane
plane at
at aaa
working
Figure speed
18. of 1.47 m/s.
Distribution of soybean seed particles in the soil in (a) XOY plane and (b) XOZ plane at
working speed
working speed of
speed of 1.47
of 1.47 m/s.
1.47 m/s.
m/s.
working
Figure 19 shows the difference between the theoretical seed spacing and the simulation
results at different working speeds. For the sake of comparison, the concept of relative
error is defined. The relative error is the ratio of the difference between the mean value of
the simulation results and the theoretical value. When the working speed is 0.75 m/s, the
 Figure 19 shows the difference between the theoretical seed spacing and the simu-
lation results at different working speeds. For the sake of comparison, the concept of rel-
Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464 ative error is defined. The relative error is the ratio of the difference between the 13 of 14
mean
value of the simulation results and the theoretical value. When the working speed is 0.75
m/s, the difference between the simulation result and the theoretical seed spacing is only
0.48 mm, with
difference a relative
between error of 0.6%.
the simulation resultWhen
and the the working seed
theoretical speedspacing
is 1.11ism/s,
onlythe differ-
0.48 mm,
ence abetween
with relative the
errorsimulation resultthe
of 0.6%. When and the theoretical
working seedm/s,
speed is 1.11 spacing is the largest,
the difference and
between
the simulation
difference isresult and the
6.44 mm, withtheoretical
a relativeseed
errorspacing is When
of 5.8%. the largest, and thespeed
the working difference is
is 1.47
6.44 mm,
m/s, with a relative
the difference errorthe
between of simulation
5.8%. Whenresult
the working
and thespeed is 1.47seed
theoretical m/s,spacing
the difference
is 3.42
between
mm, andthe
thesimulation result
relative error is and theThe
2.3%. theoretical seed spacing
comprehensive is 3.42
analysis mm,that
shows and the
the simula-
relative
error is 2.3%. The comprehensive analysis shows that the simulation results
tion results are basically consistent with the theoretical grain distance at different work- are basically
consistent
ing speeds.with the theoretical grain distance at different working speeds.

Figure 19. The relationship between seed spacing and working speed.

6. Conclusions
6. Conclusions
In this
In this paper,
paper,tests
testson
onthe
thecovering
coveringand andcompacting
compacting processes
processesof seeding
of seeding monomers
monomers are
carried
are out, out,
carried and theandabove processes
the above are simulated
processes and analyzed
are simulated by usingbythe
and analyzed DEMthe
using coupled
DEM
with MBD. Simulation analysis is also carried out for the open furrow
coupled with MBD. Simulation analysis is also carried out for the open furrow situation situation and the
uniformity
and of seed spacing.
the uniformity of seedInspacing.
the future,In DEM and MBD
the future, DEMcoupling
and MBDwill be widely used
coupling will for
be
the optimal design of earth-touching machine components. The specific
widely used for the optimal design of earth-touching machine components. The specific conclusions are
as follows: are as follows:
conclusions
(1) The EDEM and RecurDyn software are coupled to simulate the process of opening,
(1) The EDEM and RecurDyn software are coupled to simulate the process of
seed throwing, covering, and compacting of the seeding monomer. The comparison of
opening, seed throwing, covering, and compacting of the seeding monomer. The com-
simulation and test results shows that with the increase in working speed, after covering,
parison of simulation and test results shows that with the increase in working speed, af-
the position change in soybean seed particles in the vertical direction gradually increases
ter covering, the position change in soybean seed particles in the vertical direction
and in the horizontal direction gradually decreases.
gradually increases and in the horizontal direction gradually decreases.
(2) After compacting, the position change of soybean seed particles in the vertical
(2) After compacting, the position change of soybean seed particles in the vertical
and horizontal directions gradually increases. The simulation is basically consistent with
and horizontal directions gradually increases. The simulation is basically consistent with
the trend of the test results. Meanwhile, after the experience of covering the soil and
the trend of the test results. Meanwhile, after the experience of covering the soil and then
then compacting it, the change in the vertical direction of soybean seed particles is not
compacting it, the change in the vertical direction of soybean seed particles is not signif-
significant.
icant.(3) The ditching angle of the soil gradually decreases when the working speed of the
(3) The
seeding ditching
monomer angle ofThe
increases. theaverage
soil gradually decreases
seed spacing when
of the the working
simulation speedthe
is basically of
the seeding monomer increases. The average seed spacing of the simulation
same as the theoretical spacing at different working speeds of the seeding monomer. is basically
the same
(4) Inasthe
thesimulations
theoreticalof spacing at different
this paper, working
the boundary speeds ofofthe
conditions theseeding monomer.
mechanical compo-
(4) In the simulations of this paper, the boundary conditions of
nents have been ignored, which may produce certain errors and, therefore, will need to be the mechanical
components have been
taken into account ignored,
in future researchwhich may
work. produce
The influencecertain errors and,
of different therefore,
soil particle will
models
need
on thetosimulation
be taken results
into account in future
also needs furtherresearch
study. work. The influence of different soil
particle models on the simulation results also needs further study.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, D.Y.; methodology, D.Y.; validation, D.Y. and W.G.; in-
vestigation, W.G. and resources, J.Y. and W.G.; writing—original draft preparation D.Y. and N.Z.;
writing—review and editing, Y.W. and N.Z.; supervision, Y.T. and T.X.; project administration, J.Y.;
funding acquisition, J.Y. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: The authors are grateful to the National Natural Science Foundation of China
(No. 52130001) for the financial support of this work.
Agriculture 2022, 12, 1464 14 of 14

Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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