Abstract:Aiming at the problems of low straw clearance rate and poor anti-clogging performance of passive straw cleaning strip tillage machines under corn straw surface mulching conditions, an active straw cleaning strip tillage unit with contour-following functionality was designed and its core component was developed—-the power-driven straw clearance device. Through theoretical analysis and randomized block experiments, the structural and operational parameters affecting the performance of the power-driven straw clearance device were determined. Using the initial cutting angle of the blade, pitch, and cutter roll speed as experimental factors, and straw clearance rate and power consumption as evaluation metrics, a parameter combination optimization was conducted by integrating quadratic regression orthogonal rotation central composite experiments with discrete element simulations. The results indicated that all factors significantly influenced the evaluation metrics. When the initial cutting angle of the blade was 45°~55°, the pitch was 190 mm, 200 mm, 210 mm, and the cutter roll speed was 370 r/min, the straw clearance rate exceeded 88% while the power consumption was below 750 W. Based on the parameter combination optimization results, a prototype was manufactured and field validation tests were conducted. The findings showed that with a pitch of 185~220 mm, an initial cutting angle of 50°, and a cutter roll speed of 370 r/min, the straw clearance rate was no less than 85.2% and the power consumption did not exceed 750 W. The relative error between field validation tests and simulation optimization results remained within the acceptable range. These findings can provide a reference for the design and optimization of active strip tillage machines.