Abstract

The purpose of this study is to optimize the seed flow evenness in seed drills of the fluted feed rolls; wheat was used in the experiments. Experiments were conducted according to Taguchi optimization method and L₉ orthogonal array is selected. Flute shape (asymmetric, trapezoid and semicircular), flute lengths (5, 10 and 15 mm), and axis rotational speed (25, 30, and 35 min^-1), and coefficient of variation used to measure the flow evenness were chosen as independent variables and dependent variable, respectively. According to the results of variance analysis, the order of the importance of factors affecting to the flow evenness are found to be flute length, axis rotation speed and flute shape, respectively. Minimum coefficient of variation was obtained at the flute shape of trapezoid, flute length of 15 mm and axis rotation speed of 35 min^-1. At the optimum conditions, coefficient of variation for wheat was obtained as 2.87. As a result of this study, it was shown that Taguchi method is a significant tool for such optimization problems and can be effectively used in any experimental studies on agricultural subjects.

Key words: Taguchi method, seed drill, fluted roll, flute shape, flow evenness, CV.