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Research Progress on Castor Harvesting Technology and Equipment

Author

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  • Teng Wu

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
    Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Agricultural Machinery Equipment for Alpine Economic Characteristic Crops in Eastern Inner Mongolia, Tongliao 028000, China
    College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350100, China)

  • Fanting Kong

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
    Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Agricultural Machinery Equipment for Alpine Economic Characteristic Crops in Eastern Inner Mongolia, Tongliao 028000, China)

  • Bin Zhang

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
    Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Qing Xie

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China)

  • Yongfei Sun

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China)

  • Huayang Zhao

    (Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Agricultural Machinery Equipment for Alpine Economic Characteristic Crops in Eastern Inner Mongolia, Tongliao 028000, China
    College of Engineering, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China)

Abstract

The harvesting of castor is highly seasonal and labor-intensive, necessitating a reliance on mature mechanical harvesting equipment. Castor harvesting machinery is a weak link in the castor industry chain, severely constraining the development of China’s castor industry. This article elaborates on the current status of the castor industry and the harvesting modes, which mainly include combined harvesting and segmented harvesting. It systematically summarizes the harvesting platforms, cleaning technologies, and shelling technologies of castor harvesting machinery in China and internationally. It analyzes the main structural forms and working principles of the harvesting platforms of castor harvesters. The cleaning technologies and different types of shelling technologies of harvesters are also analyzed and summarized. Finally, this article identifies the existing problems in castor harvesting in China and provides an outlook on future development trends. It suggests that China’s castor cultivation will strengthen the integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy, while harvesting will develop in the direction of combined harvesting. In the future, the focus will be on the development of high-efficiency harvesting, specialized low-loss shelling machines, and breakthroughs in key core technologies to promote the development of mechanized castor harvesting technology in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Teng Wu & Fanting Kong & Bin Zhang & Qing Xie & Yongfei Sun & Huayang Zhao, 2025. "Research Progress on Castor Harvesting Technology and Equipment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5703-:d:1683780
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Walter Stefanoni & Francesco Latterini & Valantis Malkogiannidis & Vlasis Salpiggidis & Efthymia Alexopoulou & Luigi Pari, 2022. "Mechanical Harvesting of Castor Bean ( Ricinus communis L.) with a Combine Harvester Equipped with Two Different Headers: A Comparison of Working Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Luigi Pari & Alessandro Suardi & Walter Stefanoni & Francesco Latterini & Nadia Palmieri, 2020. "Environmental and Economic Assessment of Castor Oil Supply Chain: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-16, August.
    3. Teng Wu & Fanting Kong & Lei Shi & Qing Xie & Yongfei Sun & Changlin Chen, 2022. "Power Consumption Influence Test of Castor Disc-Cutting Device," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-14, September.
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