Determination of mowing pattern parameters and development of electronic controlled prototype for poppy plant

Poppy cultivation is increasing every year in our country. The most important reason for this is the increase in the economic value of poppy seed and poppy capsule. In addition, our country ranks first in poppy production in the world. Poppy plant cultivation, which was previously carried out in small areas, has now started to be carried out in large areas. Therefore, the need for agricultural mechanization for poppy plant has increased. Poppy plant has different lengths and different branching structure. For this reason, it is difficult to harvest the plant by machine. In this study, the parameters of the harvesting system for poppy plant were investigated and an electronically controlled prototype was designed. The designed prototype works on the principle of cutting the stem gradually. In the prototype, a carrier brush is designed to carry the poppy plant to the end of the prototype after it is separated from the soil, a pulling brush is designed to calibrate poppy plants of different sizes to the same size and a conveyor belt system is designed to transport the poppy capsules to the warehouse. Circular cutting was performed at three different points for harvesting operations. Circular cutting knives are used to separate the poppy plant from the soil, shorten the long plants and separate the capsule from the stem. AC and DC motors were used for the movement of the mechanisms in the prototype and speed control circuits were designed for their control. In order to increase the harvesting success in the prototype, guiding arms were made in front and separator sheet plates were made at the back. The progress of the prototype is made by human power. The study also examined the physico-mechanical properties of harvested poppy plants, including the poppy capsule projection area, capsule volume, moisture content of the stalk and capsule, poppy capsule accumulation angle, poppy seed thousand grain weight, and poppy capsule critical velocity values. Shear and compression tests were conducted on poppy stalks and capsules, establishing a mathematical relationship between vertical shear and circular shear based on the test results. Within the scope of the study, physico-mechanical properties of harvested poppy plants were investigated. These are the values of poppy capsule projection area, capsule volume, moisture contents of poppy plant stem and capsule, poppy capsule accumulation angle, poppy seed thousand grain weight, critical velocity of poppy capsule. In addition, shear and compression tests of poppy stalk and poppy capsule were carried out. According to the results of the tests, a mathematical relation was established between vertical cutting and circular cutting. The growing conditions of poppy plant under field conditions were investigated for the prototype mowing pattern experimental design. The number of plants per unit area, number of branches and plant height were measured. In conclusion, this study investigated the mowing parameters for poppy cultivation and designed an electronically controlled mower prototype. Successful laboratory and field trials were conducted using this prototype. The average number of branches per unit area of the poppy plant was determined to be 1.71, and the plant height was measured as 115.83 cm. The moisture content of the poppy plant stem and capsule were determined to be 11.69% and 8.05%, respectively. The cutting force for the thickest point of the poppy plant stem was found to be 129.00 N for vertical cutting and 6.48 N for circular cutting. The circular cutting speed was determined as 7700 rpm. The advancement speed of 0.25 km/h was considered in laboratory tests, while the advancement speed was disregarded in field trials. It was observed in all experiments that the maximum stem length from the node of the poppy capsule was in the range of 0-25 mm, which is a desired condition. In conclusion, in this study, mowing parameters for poppy crops were investigated and an electronically controlled mowing system prototype was designed. Laboratory and field trials were successfully carried out with this prototype.