FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF DIVIDERS IN HARVESTING LODGED FLAX

Abstract

Lodged flax remains one of the most critical challenges in mechanized harvesting due to stem interlocking, ground-level deformation, and the high elasticity of flax stems. While the functional role of crop dividers in fiber flax pulling systems is well described in classical literature, little attention has been paid to their applicability in harvesting modern oilseed flax, whose increasing plant height and density lead to stem-flow behaviour similar to lodged fiber flax. This paper presents an analytical evaluation of divider designs, synthesizing findings from recent engineering studies and technical documentation. The mechanisms of stem separation, lifting forces, and controlled pre-bending are examined to clarify how divider affect feeding stability and harvesting quality. Particular emphasis is placed on comparing rigid and spring-loaded dividers and identifying their performance under varying lodging conditions. The analysis demonstrates that dividers significantly improve the completeness of stem capture, reduce bending-induced damage, and stabilize crop flow not only in fiber flax pulling but also in cutting-based oilseed flax systems. Design implications are formulated to guide the integration of divider into modern flax harvesters, including adjustable height settings, flexible mounting, optimized nose curvature, and low-friction surfaces. The findings highlight that crop dividers should be considered a functional component for both flax categories, with direct impact on harvesting efficiency, ribbon uniformity, and material preservation.