The primary objective of this study was to address the challenges associated with the harvesting of ginger, namely the large resistance to digging, the high damage rate, and the high impurity rate of the harvested ginger. To this end, a digging-shaking-pulling ginger harvesting device (DSPGHD) was designed and optimized. The device was then analyzed in accordance with agronomic requirements for ginger planting and harvesting. This analysis involved the examination of interactions between ginger, soil, and mechanisms at each stage of the harvesting process. The study determined the key factors affecting the harvesting indices, including the initial angle of the clearing bar (IACB) φ, the length of the clearing bar (LCB) l₂, and the frequency of shaking (FS) f. The coupled EDEM-RecurDyn simulation system was established, and the key factors were tested with the forward resistance, the ginger force, and the effect of the soil flow as the test indices. A single-factor test was conducted, and the test result data was analyzed to determine the factor influence law. The field orthogonal test was then designed to optimize the parameter combinations of the device, and the response surface analysis and multi-objective optimization method were used to obtain better parameter combinations of the evaluation indices of ginger harvesting. These were as follows: the IACB was 8.7°, the LCB was 256 mm, and the FS was 4.24 Hz. The sizes of the test indices were as follows: the forward resistance was 1526 N, the damage rate was 4.57%, and the impurity rate was 3.74%. The DEM-MBD model developed in this study has the capacity to investigate the interactions between the primary factors of the DSPGHD and ginger-soil. It can optimize the geometric structure of the machine and provide a theoretical foundation for field trials. The optimized results from the field orthogonal test can satisfy the agronomic requirements and use requirements of ginger harvesting, and reduce the input of labor.

To address issues such as suboptimal separation of potatoes from soil during harvest, weak damage prevention and reduction capabilities in the transport process, and high damage rates, a potato-soil-transport device motion model was proposed based on potato farming practices in northern China (Gansu).The mechanical properties of the separation and transport device and the movement mechanism of the potatoes were analyzed, identifying key factors affecting the separation efficiency of potatoes from soil and potato damage: separation transport device inclination angle (ɑ), machine forward speed (V_m), paddle wheel amplitude (A), and paddle wheel frequency (ƒ). A coupled RecurDyn-EDEM simulation model was constructed to determine the impact of key factors on soil separation efficiency and potato damage. Using an optimization method, the optimal parameter combination for evaluating potato-soil separation was determined: separation transport device inclination angle of 18°, machine forward speed of 4.7 km/h, paddle wheel amplitude of 32.8 mm, and paddle wheel frequency of 6.0 Hz. Field tests showed that the potato-soil separation efficiency was good, with potatoes containing minimal soil and other impurities and experiencing minimal damage. The average potato-soil separation efficiency was 96%, and the average potato damage rate was 2%. Compared to the simulation results, the errors were 0.47% and 0.3%, respectively, meeting the quality requirements for potato harvesting operations.