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A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2023 | Viewed by 12456

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Galibjon M. Sharipov

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Guest Editor

Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Technology in Crop Production, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 9, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Interests: no-till seeding technologies; variable rate fertilization; variable rate technologies for site-specific application of PA; FMIS; ISOBUS technology; remote sensing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Today’s agriculture has a crucially irreplaceable role in solving one of the most ubiquitous issues which is to meet the food demand of a rapidly increasing world population. The latest agricultural engineering, in terms of advanced machinery and technologies in agriculture, has substantial input on meeting those demands as well as fulfilling farmers’ needs.

Agriculture, also known as farming, consists of subsequent farming processes such as tilling, seeding, fertilizing (liquid and granule), irrigating, harvesting, etc. Each farming process is powered by specific agricultural implements and technologies which require experts in advanced machine design to cope with the field variability. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the latest agricultural machinery, technologies, and engineering solutions implemented in the above-mentioned farming processes is of crucial importance to eliminate the undesired effects of field applications and to enhance crop production and its sustainability. Improvements and progressive engineering solutions for agricultural machinery design can result in successful field applications.

This Special Issue aims to cover a wide range of theoretical and experimental research contents that are related to farming processes from ploughing to harvesting. This also includes the implementation of leading-edge technologies in the mentioned farming processes, and new and innovative or additional instrumentation of agricultural implements to communicate external farm data sources for better performances, relating to the fields of agricultural engineering. All types of articles, such as original research, opinions, and reviews are welcomed by this Special Issue.

Dr. Galibjon M. Sharipov
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

agriculture mechanization
mechanization and automation in horticulture
agricultural machinery and equipment for precision farming
process control of agricultural implements
automation and navigation in agriculture
positioning technologies for agricultural vehicles
technologies for variable rate applications
unmanned aerial systems for precision farming
innovative design for communication with FMIS
soil management and conservation technology
harvest and post-harvest technology

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

The Results of Experimental Studies of the Physical and Mechanical Properties of an Elastic-Plastic Material for Tribological Properties during Separation

and

Agriculture 2023, 13(9), 1735; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091735 (registering DOI) - 01 Sep 2023

Abstract

The obtained results of experimental studies on the influence of the physical and mechanical properties of an elastoplastic material (clods of soil and potato tubers) on the factors of its destruction when interacting with an absolutely solid body (separating working body) established that an increase in the density of a soil clod leads to an increase in the effort expended on dynamic destruction, regardless of the size fraction. Within one fractional group, the increase in force from the minimum value necessary for the destruction of the soil clod in the density range from 1300 to 1700 kg/m³ is on average 56–67 N. However, there is a tendency to increase the effort to destroy the soil clod with an increase in the size fraction, including identical density, by 7–8 N, which is 4–5% of the initial value of the destruction force of a given density. The greatest destruction of soil clods is provided at a moisture content of 22–24%, which should be explained by the formation of the physical ripeness of the leached chernozem. In addition, a decrease in soil moisture leads to a more intense adhesion of soil particles to each other and, consequently, to an increase in the force on the soil clod to destroy it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Design and Experiment of Sweet Potato Ridging and Forming Machine

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Agriculture 2023, 13(8), 1641; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081641 - 21 Aug 2023

Viewed by 286

Abstract

To address the problem of poor ridging effect, a sweet potato ridging and shaping machine was designed and its overall structure and working principles were described. The design parameters of rotary tillage device, furrowing and shaping device and pressing and shaping device were determined. The motion model of soil particles on the furrowing and shaping device was analyzed, the force model of the furrowing and shaping device was established. A response surface Box–Behnken Design test was carried out to obtain the better working parameters of the sweet potato ridging and shaping machine as follows: the embedded depth is 196 mm, the forward speed is 0.82 m/s, and the soil moisture is 18%. At this time the stability coefficient of the ridge height was 99.84%. The comparative test showed that the operation performance and fuel consumption of the ridge shaping machine were better than 1GQL-2 sweet potato two rows rotary plowing and ridging machine, which met the agronomic requirements and created a good soil environment for sweet potato. The research can provide a design reference for the development and application of sweet potato transplanting machinery and ridging machinery in hilly areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Design and Test of a Low-Loss Soybean Header Based on Synchronous Profiling

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Agriculture 2023, 13(8), 1580; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081580 - 08 Aug 2023

Viewed by 344

Abstract

A synchronous-profiling, low-position-cutting, flexible-reel-belt-conveyor, low-loss soybean header was designed to address the problems of a lack of soybean harvesting machines supporting soybean-corn strip intercropping, the few existing soybean headers, and the high loss rate of soybean headers. By establishing a dynamic model of the synchronous-profiling cutting device, the key structure and operation parameters that affect the performance of synchronous profiling were determined, while the key parameters of the flexible-reel-belt conveyor device were determined by theoretical analysis. Based on ADAMS rigid-flexible coupling, simulation analysis was conducted on the working process of the synchronous-profiling cutting device, verifying that the profiling cutting device can effectively control the height of the cutter off the ground with undulating ground and that the cutting device can accurately and quickly respond to ground excitation, meeting the requirements of synchronous-profiling, low-position cutting. Field tests showed that the loss rate and stubble height of the soybean headers are 1.34% and 70.36 mm, respectively, which are 55% and 22.7% lower than the existing reel-type rigid soybean headers, meeting the actual production requirements. This study can provide a reference for the structural design of soybean harvesting headers and the reduction of header losses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Development and Experimental Validation of an Agricultural Robotic Platform with High Traction and Low Compaction

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Agriculture 2023, 13(8), 1510; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081510 - 28 Jul 2023

Viewed by 401

Abstract

Some researchers expect that future agriculture will be automated by swarms of small machines. However, small and light robots have some disadvantages. They have problems generating interaction forces high enough to modify the environment (lift a stone, cultivate the soil, or transport high loads). Additionally, they have limited range and terrain mobility. One option to change this paradigm is to use spikes instead of wheels, which enter the soil to create traction. This allows high interaction forces with the soil, and the process is not limited by the weight of the vehicle. We designed a prototype for mechanical soil cultivation and weeding in agricultural fields and evaluated its efficiency. A static and dynamic test was performed to compare the energy input of the electrical motor with precise measurements of the forces on the attached tool. The results indicate that the prototype can create interaction forces of up to 2082 N with a robot weight of 90 kg. A net traction ratio of 2.31 was reached. The dynamic performance experiment generated pull forces of up to 1335 N for a sustained net traction ratio of 1.48. The overall energy efficiency ratio for the machine reached values of up to 0.54 based on the created draft force and the measured input energy consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Simulation Research on Cotton Stalk Cutting and Crushing Based on ANSYS/LS-DYNA and Field Experiments

Peng Wang

Xuegeng Chen

and

Haojun Wen

Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061268 - 19 Jun 2023

Viewed by 592

Abstract

In order to solve the problem of high straw content in recovered residual film and the low rate of qualified straw crushing in combination with a front-mounted cotton-straw-crushing device, the cutting and crushing mechanisms of cotton stalks were studied based on ANSYS/LS-DYNA. The height h and dip angle α of the fixed blade were determined to be 30 mm and 75° through a finite element analysis. On the basis of the device design, explicit dynamic models of the cutting and crushing of a single cotton stalk were established based on ANSYS/LS-DYNA. The results of the dynamic analysis revealed the cutting mechanism of the cotton stalk, and the influences of the cutting edge angle γ and front baffle height h₁ on cotton stalk cutting were studied by using single-factor simulation tests. An edge angle of γ = 45° and a height of h₁ = 265 mm were determined. Meanwhile, the mechanism of cotton straw crushing was revealed, and the motion states of the straw were studied at different times. The results of the simulation experiments on the influence of the cutter shaft’s rotational speed showed that with an increase in the cutter shaft’s speed, the rate of qualified crushing and the removal rate were both increased. At the design speed of n = 1800 RPM, the rate of qualified crushing was 84.6%, and the removal rate was 95.1%. Then, field experiments were carried out. The test results were as follows: the stubble height was 8.0 cm, the rate of qualified straw crushing was 91.8%, the clearance rate of film-surface impurities was 92.3%, and the film content was 3.6%, which met the working quality requirements (not less than 85%) of NYT 500-2015: “Operating quality for straw-smashing machines”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Design of a Small-Scale Hydroponic System for Indoor Farming of Leafy Vegetables

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Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061191 - 03 Jun 2023

Viewed by 2621

Abstract

The reduction of the population and labour force in rural areas, adverse climate changes, soil pollution and degradation, and reduced soil fertility necessitate new and intensive approaches to and methods of vegetable production. In this study, a new high-tech, small-scale hydroponic system based on the Internet of Things (IoT) for growing leafy vegetables was designed. For the assembly of the high-tech small-scale hydroponic system, low-cost materials and sensors are used, allowing remote monitoring and process automation during the cultivation of leafy vegetables and seedlings. Experimental investigations of the installation were conducted, with lettuce as the grown crop. The environmental and technological parameters of the system were monitored and analysed in order to assess the suitability of the system. The obtained results confirm that the small-scale hydroponic system maintained the set parameters of air temperature, air humidity and pH of the nutrient solution within the optimal limits for growing lettuce. Other parameters, such as temperature and electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution, had small deviations from the required optimal limits. In the initially set experiment, 75% germination of the lettuce seeds was achieved. The main advantages of the proposed hydroponic system are the simplicity of its management and easy installation. Furthermore, it offers the possibility for remote monitoring and control without any high requirements towards the experience of the user with such facilities. The designed and implemented small hydroponic system can help small and medium-sized vegetable growers achieve indoor sustainable farming of leafy vegetables year-round. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Design and Experiment of Lightweight Dual-Mode Automatic Variable-Rate Fertilization Device and Control System

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Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1138; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061138 - 29 May 2023

Viewed by 542

Abstract

China’s agricultural facilities are developing rapidly and are mainly operated through household contracting. Due to a lack of suitable variable-rate fertilization devices, manual and blind fertilization still widely exists, resulting in fertilizer waste and environmental pollution. Meanwhile, existing fertilization devices cannot simultaneously meet the needs of different fertilization methods for crop cultivation, increasing the cost of mechanized fertilization. This study developed a lightweight dual-mode automatic variable-rate fertilization device and control system for strip fertilization and spreading fertilization. The least squares method was used to analyze the amount of fertilizer discharged per second at different volumes and rotational speeds of the fertilization device. The quadratic polynomial model fits well, with determination coefficients greater than 0.99. The automatic variable strip fertilization and spreading fertilization control models were established. Experiments with strip fertilization and spreading fertilization were carried out. The results of strip fertilization experiments show that the maximum relative error (

R e

) for granular nitrogen fertilizer (NF) was 6.81%, compound fertilizer (CF) was 6.2%, organic compound fertilizer (OCF) was 6.83%, and the maximum coefficient of variation (

C v

) of uniformity was 8.91%. The results of spreading fertilization experiments show that the maximum

R e

of granular NF was 7.31%, granular CF was 6.76%, granular OCF was 7.43%, the

C v

of lateral uniformity was 9.88%, and the

C v

of total uniformity was 14.17%. The developed fertilization device and control system can meet the needs of different fertilization amounts, types, and methods for facility crop cultivation at different stages. This study’s results can provide a theoretical basis and technical support for designing and optimizing multifunctional precision variable-rate fertilization devices and control systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Double Disc Colter for a Zero-Till Seeder Simultaneously Applying Granular Fertilizers and Wheat Seeds

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Agriculture 2023, 13(5), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13051102 - 22 May 2023

Viewed by 1029

Abstract

The application method of granular fertilizers and wheat seeds depends on the colter design and parameters. In this research, a new double disc colter is studied to apply the wheat seeds to the horizontal band 12 cm in width and apply granular fertilizers deeper 2 cm than the wheat seed level precisely to the middle of the band. Applying granular fertilizers and wheat seeds at different levels increases the granular fertilizer dose without harm to the wheat seeds. Furthermore, applying high doses of wheat seeds to the horizontal band decreases the competition between the seeds and suppresses the weeds. Therefore, preparing a plain seedbed after applying the fertilizers and distributing wheat seeds to the horizontal band was the research objective. The comparison experiments of the base and designed double disc colters were provided in the soil bin determining the horizontal and vertical forces and the placement of the fertilizers and seeds. The discrete element method (DEM) was used to track the soil particle behavior interacting with the double-disc colter. The simulation results and actual experiment results were satisfactory when the AB length of the wing orifice was 60 mm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Design and Test of Dislocation Baffle Roller Bionic Picking Device for Fresh Corn

Huizhong Luo

Junshan Nie

and

Lihua Zhang

Agriculture 2023, 13(5), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13050991 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 929

Abstract

Considering the problems of the low mechanical work rate and the high picking damage rate of baffle roller bionic picking devices in the harvesting process of fresh corn in China, a method of fresh corn harvesting based on dislocation baffle roller bionic picking is proposed. When the picking device is in operation, the dislocation baffle roller assists with picking by applying deflecting torque to the corn cob. The mechanical properties of the bottom kernel were significantly better than those of the top kernel, according to the results of a triaxial compression test on fresh corn kernels, and the force applied by the picking device from the bottom kernel’s side could successfully prevent cob breakage. To determine the optimal combination of operating parameters for the bionic picking device, a three-factor, three-level virtual response surface optimization test was conducted using Box–Behnken’s central combination method with the baffle roller tilt angle, the baffle roller gap, and the stalk speed as the test factors, and the maximum contact force as the test indexes. Based on the theoretical analysis results, a test bench of the dislocation baffle roller bionic picking device was made. When the picking damage rate was 0.32%, the baffle roller dislocation was 5 mm, the baffle roller tilt angle was 41°, the baffle roller gap was 25 mm, and the stalk speed was 338 mm/s. This study can provide a reference for researching low-damage picking of fresh corn cob. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Design and Test of an Automatic Navigation Fruit-Picking Platform

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Agriculture 2023, 13(4), 882; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13040882 - 17 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1015

Abstract

With the development in agricultural mechanization and information technology, orchard agricultural machinery is also constantly pursuing the goal of intelligence and efficiency. Fruit picking is the most labor-intensive part of the orchard harvesting process. In order to resolve the problems of high labor intensity, low picking efficiency, and labor shortage when harvesting dwarf high-density orchards, an automatic navigation fruit-picking platform with voice control was developed in the present study. First, the platform utilized a voice-controlled high-level extendable working platform and a fruit-box-lifting device to adapt to varying orchard planting row spacing and enable convenient fruit box loading and unloading. Second, an automatic navigation system, which employed China’s Beidou navigation satellite system to acquire positional data and the Stanley algorithm for path-tracking control, was implemented. Third, the fruit-picking platform with automatic navigation system was fabricated and assembled, its outer wheel steering was measured to have a maximum angle of 30.3° and an average minimum turning radius of 4.5 m, meeting the turning radius requirements under orchard conditions. Finally, automatic navigation tests of the developed platform were performed in the orchard conditions. The results indicated that the platform could maintain a straight-line path with a maximum lateral deviation of 101.5 mm and a maximum absolute average deviation of 44.1 mm at 0.4 m/s. Under the U-shaped paths, the measured maximum lateral deviation was 148.6 mm and the maximum absolute average deviation was 57.2 mm. The navigation accuracy was sufficient to meet the requirements for the harvesting platform’s routine operation in the orchards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Design and Experimentation of a Longitudinal Axial Flow Sunflower Oil Threshing Device

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Agriculture 2023, 13(4), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13040876 - 15 Apr 2023

Viewed by 765

Abstract

To address the problems of threshing loss and high impurity rate during sunflower oil harvesting, a vertical axial flow sunflower oil threshing device was designed. To reduce severe breakage of the sunflower plate and high entrainment loss rate when threshing by the traditional grating gravure sieve, a circular tube-type gravure screen was designed, and a contact model describing the grain rod, sunflower pan, and gravure screen was analyzed. The results show that reducing the diameter of the gravure screen round tubes can effectively reduce breakage of the sunflower pan. The range of the threshing gap, drum speed, and feed amount were determined by a single-factor test. Design-Expert software was used to design a response surface experiment: threshing gap, drum rotation speed, and feed amount were used as test factors, and the threshing loss rate of grains and the grain mass ratio of undersize grains were used as evaluation indicators. A regression model between test factors and evaluation indexes was established by variance analysis of the test results. A software-based numerical optimization function was used to reduce the loss rate of grains and increase the grain mass ratio of undersize grains. The optimal parameters of the threshing device were obtained by multi-objective optimization of all factors: the separation gap was 24.90 mm, drum speed was 244.14 r/min, feed amount was 2.95 kg/s, the threshing loss rate grains was 2.35%, and the grain mass ratio of undersized grains was 81.34%. This study can provide a reference for the design of a combined sunflower oil harvester threshing device. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Design and Test of Soil–Fertilizer Collision Mixing and Mulching Device for Manure Deep Application Machine

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Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030709 - 18 Mar 2023

Viewed by 988

Abstract

Aiming at the problems of low uniformity and utilization rate in the traditional deep application method of orchard manure, a soil–fertilizer collision mixing and mulching device was designed. The ditching mechanism, the structure of the soil divider, and the fertilizer delivery auger were analyzed and designed. Furthermore, with the rotational speed of the cutter and auger and the deflection angle of the soil divider as factors, as well as the uniformity of soil–fertilizer mixing and mulching as evaluation indexes, the discrete element simulation tests were conducted. The simulation results showed that when the turret speed, the stirrer speed and the soil separator deflection angle were 140 r/min, 146 r/min and 22°, the mixing uniformity and mulching uniformity were the highest, which was 88.35% and 96.86%, respectively. Based on the optimal parameters, the field test was conducted, and the soil–fertilizer mixing uniformity was 87.02%, with a relative error of 1.33% compared with the simulation test results. The relative error of 94.37% of mulch uniformity is 2.49%, which indicates that the simulation optimization results are reliable and the mixing performance of the device is good and can meet the requirements of soil–fertilizer mixing operation. The results of this study can provide an important reference for the design of the soil and fertilizer mixing machine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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Open AccessArticle

Design and Operation Parameters of Vibrating Harvester for Coffea arabica L.

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Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030700 - 17 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 897

Abstract

This study designed a handheld vibrating coffee harvester to improve the mechanized harvesting of Coffea arabica L. The proposed device was used to vibrate branches of Coffea arabica L. trees, and the shedding of coffee fruit and the operation parameters of vibrational harvesting were analyzed. Images captured using high-speed photography were used to derive a force equation that represents the forced vibration of the coffee fruit-stalk joint. In addition, the vibrations of coffee berries and branches were theoretically analyzed, and the results were used to establish a dynamic vibration model of coffee trees. The shedding of coffee berries was primarily affected by the vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, and excitation position, which were simulated using a rigid–flexible branch-machine coupling model on RecurDyn software. Furthermore, field experiments were conducted to determine the optimal working parameters for coffee harvesting using vibrations. The results indicated optimal picking performance when the vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, and excitation position were 62 Hz, 9 mm, and 0.4 L, respectively. The harvesting rates of ripe and unripe coffee were 92.22% and 8.33%, respectively, and the damage rate was 5.23%. Thus, the proposed harvester can satisfactorily achieve the optimal harvesting of Coffea arabica L. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery Design and Agricultural Engineering)

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