Virtual test on the finger-chain type sugarcane-lifter based on ADAMS

The author designed a finger-chain type sugarcane-lifter in order to solve the problem that the sugarcane harvester does not work well when the sugarcane lodges seriously. The model of sugarcane and finger-chain type sugarcane-lifter virtual prototype was established by using the dynamic simulation software—ADAMS. The regularities of effect of structural parameters and motion parameters on sugar-lifting were studied through virtual orthogonal tests and virtual two-factor tests. Meanwhile the real tests in the lab were undertaken to verify the conclusions of virtual tests. The results showed that in the virtual tests the sugarcane final lift-angle increased with wheel speed increasing or decreased with lifter forward speed increasing linearly. The relations between sugarcane final lift-angle and forward speed or wheel speed show a slight difference between virtual tests and real ones, however, the trends of the regularities between all factors and sugarcane-lifting, are similar. It showed that the conclusions of virtual tests were reliable.