Development and test of a spring-finger roller-type hot pepper picking header

This study developed a spring-finger roller-type hot pepper picking header to increase picking efficiency, performance, and lower harvesting costs. The picking header was mainly composed of a roller, spring-fingers, a steel frame, an upper cover plate, and transmission parts. Based on SolidWorks, a picking structure model for hot peppers was created in accordance with their mechanical properties. The movement law of the picking springfinger was analyzed based on the working principle to select appropriate motion parameters of main factors. Based on these chosen parameters, a prototype hot pepper picking header was created, and field tests were conducted to investigate the primary factors influencing the harvesting effect. The rotation speed of the roller and the travel speed of the picking machine were monitored by setting sensors. Using Design Expert, the test results were examined and optimized in accordance with a central composite design. The orthogonal test results showed that when the roller rotation speed was 215.00 r⋅min⁻¹, and travel speed was 3.59 km⋅h⁻¹, the hot pepper picking header had the best harvest effect. The picking rate was 98.47%, and the breakage rate was 3.87%. The hot pepper picking header with a spring-finger roller type and good picking effect were demonstrated by the field experiment.