Experimental Substantiation of the Rational Parameters for a Reaping Machine of the Comb Type for Harvesting Oil Flax Seeds

This paper reports the results of the experimental study to substantiate the rational structural and regime parameters of a two-drum reaping machine for harvesting flax oilseeds by the method of combing plants on the root. We have confirmed the results of the preliminary mathematical modeling of the process of separating a combed heap in the reaping machine with a predefined curved shape of the casing. An experimental study of the heap separation process in a reaping machine has established the dependence of the mass fraction of the discharge of husk and stem particles from its region δ h , the proportion of the release of seeds and capsules with seeds δ h, and the consumed power P, on the rotation frequency of the beater-reflector n 1 , and the combing drum n 2 , the position of the air grate L and its width B. The following structural-mode parameters of the comb-type reaping machine for harvesting oil flax seeds have been defined as the most significant ones: the rotation frequency of the beater-reflector, n 1 =892 rpm; the rotation frequency of the comb drum, n 2 =652 rpm; the position of the air grate, L=0.62 m, and its width, B=0.56 m. In this case, the mass fraction of the discharge of husk and stem particles is δ h =47.5 %, the share of the loss of seeds and capsules with seeds from the reaping machine is, respectively, δ h =2.1 %, and the power consumed to perform the process is P=2.7 kW. The statistical analysis has demonstrated that the correlation coefficient between the theoretical and experimental data is 0.88‒0.95; a relative error in the optimal values is 4.6 %. The actual and statistical comparison of the theoretical and experimental data has confirmed the adequacy of the mathematical models built as a result of the theoretical research. Based on the results of our experimental research, one can argue about the usefulness of their application for engineering calculations when designing new technical means for harvesting crops by the method of combing plants on the root