FEM modal analysis of a garlic harvester for varying geomorphologies

Resumen

In family farming, mechanisation, when appropriate to the task and to the size of the property, can be one way of easing
tiring and repetitive work, such as garlic harvesting. The present study is based on a model of harvester currently on the market, and
proposes several improvements for mechanising the harvest on family farms, with an emphasis on sloping terrain, to reduce costs and
increase productivity. Since the equipment currently on the market reduces the operational performance of these producers resulting in
the high prices of commercial garlic, the aim of this study was to evaluate, using the Finite Element Method, the von Mises stresses and
the displacement of a garlic harvester in diff erent topographies. A structural analysis was carried out, and the vibration modules in the
three main parts that make up the structure of the garlic harvester were checked: the structure supporting the scarifi er point, the structure
of the plant transport system, and the structure at the rear of the harvester. The structural modifi cations that were implemented corrected
the initial high-stress conditions, showing improvements in stress concentration and areas of displacement. As such, the entire structure
of the garlic harvester tends to withstand the proposed loads. From the results of the simulations, we conclude that the connecting
support may undergo greater response from structural dynamics, and that frequencies greater than 45.7 Hz should be avoided since
there are several natural frequencies above this range that might cause interference to the structure.