Optimization of a Double-Disc Opener for Seeders Based on EDEM-Adams Co-Simulation via Experiments

Abstract

Abstract

Reseeding with forage seeds restores degraded grasslands, yet in China’s Hulunbuir region, conventional seeders cause substantial damage by uprooting existing vegetation. It is critical to investigate how the structural parameters of double-disc openers affect soil disturbance to minimize this damage. This study employed an EDEM-Adams co-simulation to optimize these parameters. A composite opener–root–soil discrete element model was developed in EDEM, alongside a dynamic opener model in Adams. Single-factor experiments analyzed how the angle between the two discs, penetration angle, and disc radius affect disturbance width, furrow width, and disturbance height. A response surface optimization was performed to determine the optimal parameter combination: an angle between the two discs of 7.5°, a penetration angle of 15°, and a disc radius of 150 mm, which jointly minimized the three disturbance indices. The disturbance process comprised four stages (i.e., slow increase, rapid increase, fallback, and stabilization), with most disturbance occurring during the rapid increase phase. Compared to a conventional opener, the optimized design significantly (p < 0.05) reduced disturbance width by 20.0%, furrow width by 16.0%, and disturbance height by 28.0%. The optimized double-disc opener can be directly integrated into equipment for forage reseeding.