Precision Agriculture Science and Technology ISSN:2672-0086(Print) 2713-5632(Online) 정밀농업과학기술

To ensure the operational stability of walking-type rotary cultivators is one of the essential things to improve safety and efficiency in small-scale agricultural environments, particularly in regions with uneven and rocky terrains such as South Korea. This study aims to quantitively assess the stability and safety risks associated with rotary cultivators by sensor data collected during field operations. A smartphone-based sensing system integrating accelerometers and gyroscopes was used to monitor dynamic response under varying operational conditions. The experiments were conducted in both standard and gravelly soil environments, evaluating the effects of different rotary configuration, such as front-mounted vs. rear-mounted, and working depths on machine stability. The results indicated that rear-mounted rotary configurations showed superior stability, as they reduced impact forces and minimized abrupt vibrations compared to front-mounted setups, which were prone to excessive tilting and instability. Additionally, deeper working depth in gravelly fields significantly amplified hazardous situations, including abrupt stops and overturns, because of greater resistance and interaction with embedded rocks. Sensor data analysis confirmed that higher acceleration spikes and angular velocity deviations correlated strongly with critical instability scenarios, emphasizing the necessity for adaptive control mechanisms and optimized rotary positioning. The findings emphasize the necessity of structural improvements in rotary cultivator designs and the development of real-time stability monitoring systems to enhance safety in mechanized farming.