4.2.1. Test Methods

The harvesting tests were conducted to assess the effects of varied test operating parameters of the collection and separation devices to explore the influences of the forward speed, wind velocity at the air inlet, and rate of rotation of the drum on the harvesting effect. Meanwhile, the operating quality of the harvester was verified, and the harvesting quality was reflected by measuring the collection rate. The main performance evaluation index was the rate of collection of dandelion seeds. The performance test of the harvester is shown in Figure 19.

(**a**) (**b**) (**c**)

**Figure 19.** Harvester performance test. (**a**) Comparison diagram before and after harvest. (**b**) Harvester operation diagram. (**c**) Separated seeds and crown hairs.

The collection rate was measured using the following method: in the test region, the harvester was driven to harvest the seeds of all dandelion plants; after harvesting, the dandelion seeds in the seed storage tank were removed and weighed (recorded as *m*1); as shown in Figure 17, five sampling points measuring 1 m<sup>2</sup> were selected artificially using the five-point sampling method in the test region to collect unharvested dandelion seeds left by the harvester; these seeds were separated from pappi and weighed (recorded as *m*2).

The rate of collection is calculated using the following equation:

$$F\_1 = \frac{\frac{m\_1}{300} \times 5}{\frac{m\_1}{300} \times 5 + m\_2} = \frac{m\_1}{m\_1 + 60m\_2} \tag{8}$$

where *F*<sup>1</sup> is the collection rate of dandelion seeds using the harvester (%); *m*<sup>1</sup> is the mass of dandelion seeds in the seed storage tank after harvesting (g); and *m*<sup>2</sup> represents the mass of unharvested dandelion seeds left by the harvester at sampling points (g).
