Research and Development of an Integrated Header for Soybeancorn Combined Harvesters Adapted to Strip Intercropping

To address the issue of the lack of suitable integrated harvesters for the soybean-corn intercropping mode in China, this paper designs a 4DYZ-4/2 model soybean-corn integrated harvester header and develops a reliable integrated header with low loss rates during harvesting. This header integrates functions such as snapping soybean stalks, separating soybean and corn, corn snapping and conveying, corn cob cutting, and soybean stem conveying, with innovative structural adjustments to the overall frame, ensuring efficient harvesting of soybeans and corn while reducing the labor intensity of operators. Based on the characteristics and requirements of the soybean-corn intercropping mode, the operational performance parameters and key parts were optimized. The main design parameters include: a header width of 1400 mm, a divider width of 400 mm, a header row spacing of 450 mm, a reel radius of 550 mm, six snapping rollers, a snap roller speed of 4.8 m/s, and a reel rotational speed of 1314 rpm. Field test results show that the header achieves a soybean loss rate of 1.28% and a corn loss rate of 1.42%. The research results confirm the reliability and practicality of this header design, providing technical support for soybean-corn intercropping integrated harvesting.