Design and prototype development of a harvesting machine mower for poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) plant

Abstract In this study, a capsule-oriented prototype machine for mechanical harvesting of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) was developed and its design features and performance were evaluated. In Turkey, poppy cultivation is mostly carried out in small plots and harvesting operations are usually carried out manually. This situation both increases the need for labor and leads to crop losses. The prototype machine has been designed to provide a solution to these problems, including a carrier brush, a pulling brush and a three-point circular cutting system. During the design process, the physico-mechanical properties of the poppy plant were determined and cutting blade placements and motor selections were made in line with these properties. The harvesting success of the machine was analysed under different plant heights and capsule numbers through experiments conducted under laboratory and field conditions. The highest success rate was obtained especially in the cuts made at 0-25 mm internode stem length. It was determined that the circular cutting system worked with lower force and more efficiently compared to vertical cutting. In addition, the AC and DC motor systems used in the machine optimized the plant transport and capsule cutting processes by providing different speed and direction controls. The results show that the prototype machine is successful in terms of both efficiency and quality and can be applied in wider areas by integrating automatic feed systems in the future. This study presents an original application that will contribute to the spread of modern mechanization in poppy agriculture.