The Synchronized Slide: Why the “Caixa de Alimentação” Matters
In the mechanized rice paddies of Southern Brazil, efficiency is measured in “hills per hour.” While the planting arm (Planting Case) does the vertical work of inserting the seedling, the Feed Case (Caixa de Alimentação) is responsible for the critical horizontal movement. It shifts the seedling mat left and right incrementally, ensuring that the planting claw grabs a fresh seedling every cycle. If this lateral movement is imprecise, the machine plants air (“Missed Hill”) or grabs double seedlings, wasting precious nursery stock.
这 Feed Case Gearbox converts the continuous rotary motion of the main shaft into a reciprocating linear motion or a stepped rotary output. This is typically achieved via a Double-Helix Lead Screw (Eixo Sem-Fim Cruzado) or a cylindrical cam mechanism. This component operates in the harshest environment possible: directly under the dripping, muddy seedling trays, often exposed to fertilizer runoff and paddy water.
EVER-POWER的 FC-Series (Feed Case) utilizes a sealed, grease-packed aluminum housing with a specialized “Plastic-Steel Hybrid” internal gear set. This combination resists the corrosive acidity of the paddy environment while providing the lightweight precision needed for high-speed planting (up to 1.8 m/s).
Technical Specifications: FC-Series (Lateral Feed)
| 范围 | 规格 | 范围 | 规格 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 机制 | Cylindrical Cam / Lead Screw | Transverse Speed | 18 – 26 times/min |
| 输入转速 | 350 – 550 RPM | Stroke Width | 280mm – 300mm |
| 房屋材料 | 压铸铝 ADC12 | Feed Increment | 11mm / 14mm (Adjustable) |
| Cam Material | Polyacetal (POM) / Steel | Feed Direction | Bi-Directional Reciprocating |
| 输入轴 | Hexagonal 14mm / 17mm | 离合器类型 | Jaw Clutch (Manual Disconnect) |
| 轴承类型 | Sealed Deep Groove 6000 Ser. | 润滑 | Lithium Grease (Sealed for Life) |
| 密封 | 双唇 NBR + 防尘盖 | 重量 | 1.8 kg – 3.2 kg |
| 安装 | Slide Rail Clamp | Feed Belt Drive | Output Sprocket / Pulley |
| Corrosion Protection | Anodized + Clear Coat | 工作温度 | -10°C to +60°C |
| 兼容性 | Kubota / Yanmar / Iseki Style | 保修单 | 1 Season / 600 Hours |
Engineering the “Sideways Shuffle”
1. The Double-Helix Lead Screw
The core of the feed case is a shaft with a continuous left-and-right groove cut into it, known as a Barrel Cam or Double-Helix Screw. A follower pin rides in this groove. As the shaft rotates one way, the follower moves left, hits the end, and automatically switches to the return groove to move right. This converts simple rotation into the necessary back-and-forth scanning motion of the seedling tray. We machine these cams from hardened steel, then coat them with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) to reduce friction against the follower.
2. The “Feed Amount” Regulator
Farmers need to adjust how many seedlings are picked per grab (Seedling Density). This is controlled by a secondary mechanism inside the feed case: the Feed Ratchet. By adjusting a lever, the ratchet engages 1, 2, or 3 teeth per cycle, moving the vertical feed belt by 11mm to 20mm. Our design uses sintered metal pawls for high wear resistance, ensuring consistent dosing even after millions of cycles.
3. Corrosion-Proof Hybrid Construction
The feed case sits directly below the wet seedling mat. Water mixed with acidic fertilizer constantly drips onto it. An all-steel gearbox would rust solid. We use a Hybrid Material Strategy: The housing is anodized aluminum; the internal gears are polymer (POM) or brass; and the shafts are Stainless Steel 304. This galvanic compatibility prevents seizing, even if the machine is stored wet.
4. Overload Protection Clutch
Sometimes, the seedling mat gets jammed (e.g., roots grown into the tray). If the feed case forces the movement, the plastic tray will snap. We integrate a Spring-Loaded Ball Detent Clutch on the input shaft. If resistance exceeds 15 Nm, the clutch slips with a distinct clicking sound, alerting the operator to the jam without breaking the internal cam mechanism.
System Comparison: Cam Drive vs. Lead Screw Feed
| 特征 | Lead Screw Type (FC-Series) | Cam / Linkage Type |
|---|---|---|
| Movement Smoothness | Continuous / Linear | Jerky / Stepped |
| Wear Life | High (Distributed Load) | Medium (Pivot Points Wear) |
| 复杂 | Low (Enclosed Box) | High (External Rods) |
| Water Resistance | Excellent (Sealed) | Poor (Exposed Joints) |
| 精确 | 非常高 | 缓和 |
*Analysis based on field reliability data from Uruguaiana rice cooperatives.
本地化应用：巴西稻米带
Heavy Mat Handling (Rio Grande do Sul)
Brazilian farmers often use denser, heavier seedling mats (25-30kg wet) compared to Asian standards. The standard feed case follower pin often shears under this lateral load. Our FC-Series features a Reinforced Follower Pin (12mm dia) made of Titanium-Coated Steel, capable of shifting heavy, waterlogged trays without hesitation.
High-Speed Walk-Behind (Santa Catarina)
For smaller terraced fields, walk-behind transplanters are used. The vibration is intense. We balance the internal lead screw to G6.3 standards to minimize vibration transmission to the handle, reducing operator fatigue (White Finger Syndrome) and complying with Brazilian ergonomic labor norms (NR-17).
📒 Field Engineer’s Log: The “Frozen” Tray
“August 2025, Pelotas. Early morning planting, temp was 5°C. A farmer called saying his feed cases were stuck. The seedling trays wouldn’t slide. We opened a unit. The grease had turned into a waxy solid.”
“The previous supplier used a cheap Lithium grease that wasn’t low-temp rated.
Solution: We cleaned the units and repacked them with Synthetic Calcium-Sulfonate Grease with a working range down to -20°C. We also replaced the steel sliding rails with UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) liners. Friction dropped by 40%, and the trays slid smoothly even in the cold morning dampness.”
常见问题解答（OEM/B2B）
1. Is the Feed Case interchangeable between Left and Right rows?
Usually, yes. Our FC-Series is designed symmetrically. However, the input shaft rotation might need to be verified. Some machines drive adjacent rows in opposite directions. We provide a ‘Universal Mount’ housing that fits both sides.
2. Can I adjust the number of times the tray moves per plant?
The lateral speed (traverse) is fixed by the lead screw pitch (usually 26 times/min at rated speed). However, the Vertical Feed Amount (how much seedling mat is pushed down) is adjustable via the external lever on the side of our case (11mm to 20mm steps).
3. What maintenance is required?
Our feed cases are “Sealed for Life” (Maintenance-Free) for the duration of the warranty (600 hours). We recommend inspecting the external dust seals annually and replacing the unit if lateral play exceeds 2mm.
4. Do you supply the sliding rails?
Yes, we offer a complete “Feed Assembly Kit” which includes the Feed Case Gearbox, the Stainless Steel Sliding Rails, and the Plastic Seedling Tray Holder, all pre-aligned for instant installation.
Complete Your Rice Planting System
Consistency is the Key to Harvest
Eliminate missed hills and jammed trays with EVER-POWER Feed Cases.
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Major Markets: Brazil, China, India, Vietnam, Japan.
