Bionic design and discrete element analysis of double-wing subsoiling shovel

The subsoiling shovel is the main tool for subsoiling in conservation tillage, and its quality directly influences the effect of subsoiling. In this paper, based on the double-wing subsoiling shovel retrofit design, the research achievements of bionic techniques were applied to design the subsoiling shovel, and the three-dimensional models of modified subsoiling shovel and bionic subsoiling shovel were created through the software of Pro/E. Then Discrete Element Method (DEM) was used to do analog simulations for the two kinds of subsoiling shovels, the tillage resistances of subsoiling shovels at different forward speeds were obtained. DEM analysis result showed that their variation trend of tillage resistance was alike. Although the average tillage resistances of bionic subsoiling shovel was slightly bigger than that of modified subsoiling shovel, its abrasion resistance and desorption was enhanced. This research works would provide certain foundation for improving the design of the subsoiling shovel.