*Article* **Design and Experiment of a Low-Loss Harvesting Test Platform for Cabbage**

**Wenyu Tong 1,2, Jianfei Zhang 1,\*, Guangqiao Cao 1, Zhiyu Song 3,\* and Xiaofeng Ning <sup>2</sup>**


**Abstract:** In order to explore the mechanism and influence mechanism of cabbage harvest damage, a low-loss cabbage harvest test platform was designed on the basis of combining the physical characteristics of cabbage with the mechanical characteristics of mechanical harvest and the cabbage harvest operation process. Through the design of key components of the test platform harvesting, the key parameters of the pulling-out device, the reel device, the flexible clamping and conveying device, and the double-disc cutting device were determined. The movement changes of cabbage during pulling out, conveying, and cutting were analyzed to clarify the process of damage generation and critical conditions of damage in cabbage harvesting operations. The test results showed that when the speed of the pulling out device was controlled at 80–120 r/min, the speed of the clamping and conveying device was controlled at 120–240 r/min, and the speed of the double disc cutter was controlled at 140–180 r/min, the average success rate of pulling on the low-loss harvesting test platform was 92.7%; the average damage rate of the pulling process was 7.32%; the average success rate of clamping and conveying was 88.6%; the average damage rate of the clamping and conveying link was 12%; the average success rate of root cutting was 89.3%; and the average damage rate of the cutting link was 11.34%. The average qualified rate of harvesting in the pulling link was 86.7%, the average qualified rate of harvesting in the clamping and conveying link was 75.3%, and the average qualified rate of harvesting in the cutting link was 77.3%. All the performance indicators meet the design requirements and relevant standards, and the research results can provide a reference for the development and structural improvement of low-loss harvesting equipment for cabbage.

**Keywords:** cabbage; low-loss harvesting; mechanical harvesting characteristics; design of test platform
