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2025 Vol.7, Issue 4 Preview Page

Research Article

Structural analysis of key power transmission components of a 36.8-kW 1-row self-propelled cabbage harvester
Md Razob Ali1
,
Md Nasim Reza12
,
Md Aminur Rahman1
,
Da-Hye Jeong3
,
Og Ran Park3
,
Sun-Ok Chung12*†
,
Kanghee Jeong4*†
1Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Graduate School, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
2Department of Smart Agricultural Systems, Graduate School, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
3Hyundai Agricultural Machinery Co., Ltd., Iksan 54584, Republic of Korea
4Corperation X-one, Anyang 14119, Republic of Korea
*Corresponding Author
†The co-corresponding author contributed equally to this article.
31 December 2025. pp. 337-354
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Abstract

This study evaluates the structural and efficiency performance of the main power transmission components of a self-propelled cabbage harvester, namely the cutting blades, motor shaft, driving sprocket, and gearbox. Finite element analysis (FEA), KISSsoft simulations, and field testing were employed to assess strength, durability, and energy efficiency under realistic harvesting conditions. Three-dimensional models of the cutting blades, shaft, and sprocket were created in mechanical design software, and finite element simulations were conducted in simulation to determine stress distribution, deformation, and fatigue life. Mesh convergence studies ensured accuracy, while material properties such as Young’s modulus, yield strength, and Poisson’s ratio were defined from standards. The gearbox was analyzed in KISSsoft 2018 using ISO 6336 guidelines to calculate transmission efficiency, root and flank safety factors, and power loss contributions from gears, shafts, and bearings. Field tests were carried out to validate the simulated results and to evaluate cutting and picking quality under real soil and crop conditions. Results showed that the continuous-edge disc blade performed better than the segmented-edge blade, with lower stress (3.05 MPa) and a higher factor of safety (115.38). The motor shaft safely transmitted 200 Nm torque at 300 rpm with an FOS of 119 and fatigue life above 1,000,000 cycles. The sprocket exhibited very low stress (0.38 MPa) and an FOS of 146. Gearbox analysis demonstrated an efficiency of 97.99% with an output power of 10.26 kW at 200 Nm, where gear contact losses dominated. The power transmission system proved structurally robust, energy-efficient, and capable of reliable long-term use in cabbage harvesting. The harvester design is safe, durable, and field-ready with scope for further optimization.

Keywords
Agricultural machinery
Cabbage harvester
Power transmission
Finite element analysis (FEA)
Gearbox efficiency
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Precision Agriculture
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국정밀농업학회
  • Journal Title :Precision Agriculture Science and Technology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :정밀농업과학기술
  • Volume : 7
  • No :4
  • Pages :337-354
  • Received Date : 2025-10-01
  • Revised Date : 2025-11-14
  • Accepted Date : 2025-11-23
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22765/pastj.20250023
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