Effect of impact parameters and moisture content on kernel loss during corn snapping

This paper seeks to describe the effect of impact parameters and moisture content on kernel detachment, with the physical parameter of dissipated momentum being introduced to the process of analysing the data. Experiments were carried out on a drop-testing bed, using an accelerometer bound to corn ears to determine the impact parameters. As the impact velocity increased from 3.5 to 6.0 m s-1 at a moisture content of 18.5%, peak acceleration, the integral of acceleration and rebound velocity increased simultaneously, while impact time showed a declining trend. The mass of the detached kernels increased from 5.13 to 13.70 g per corn ear. When the moisture content of the kernels increased from 11.8 to 30.6% with an impact velocity of 5.0 m s-1, the mass of the detached kernels decreased from 12.61 to 7.56 g per corn ear. The dissipated momentum showed homologous trends with that of the detached kernel mass. Furthermore, a model of the interaction effect of impact velocity and moisture content on the mass of the detached kernel was established through full factorialtests. The methods and data may provide theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of deck plates on the corn heads and decrease the incidence of kernel detachment.