Abstract:Aiming to meet the agronomic requirements for hoeing, root-cutting, and deep fertilization during the winter wheat greening stage, and address the need for integrated inter-row root-cutting and fertilizer application, an integrated hoeing, root-cutting, and topdressing device was designed. With the objectives of reducing draft force, increasing the root-cutting rate, and ensuring fertilization depth, structural design and parameter optimization were systematically conducted. Firstly, based on operation mechanism analysis and mechanical modeling, key components, including the furrow opener, root-cutting shovel, and fertilizer tube were designed. A design scheme was proposed, featuring an exponential curve for the leading edge of the furrow opener and a brachistochrone curve for the fertilizer tube. Secondly, a discrete element method ( DEM) simulation model for the “ integrated device-soil-root-fertilizer” system was established. Using the root-cutting rate and draft force as evaluation indicators, key parameters such as the shovel blade profile, penetration angle, and wing angle were analyzed, and reasonable parameter ranges were determined based on wheat agronomic requirements. Subsequently, a Box Behnken design simulation experiment was employed for parameter optimization. The optimal structural combination for the root-cutting shovel was determined to be an Archimedes spiral blade profile, a penetration angle of 6.43°, and a wing angle of 54.99°. The optimized structural parameters effectively increased the root-cutting rate and reduced draft force. Simulation results for the brachistochrone fertilizer tube showed a maximum fertilization depth qualification rate of 94% with a stable discharging process. Field comparative experiments indicated that at an operating speed of 4km/h, the integrated device performed well, achieving an average root-cutting depth of 117 mm, a root-cutting rate of 82.9% , and a fertilization depth qualification rate of 90.6%. The results confirmed that the designed device successfully fulfilled the functions of hoeing, root-cutting, and deep fertilizer application.