A simulation model to analyze the dynamics of a system to control automatically the cutting height in harvesters was developed. The model was developed using the differential equations that describe the dynamics of the cuttig platform, the behavior of the hydraulic system and the controller. The simulated feedback control system was composed by a load cell that measures the contact force between the soil and the cutting device, a feedback controller (PID) and a hydraulic system with proportional directional four-way valve and actuator. The effect of the following variables in the controller performance was analyzed: speed of the cutting device (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 m s-1); pressure in the supply line of the hydraulic system (6.8, 13.7 and 20.6 MPa); ballast added in the cutting mechanism (40, 60 and 80 kg) and the contact force between the cutting device and the soil (200, 400 and 800 N). The developed model showed to be a useful tool for analyzing the dynamics of the controller. The increase in the supply pressure, mass of the cut platform and reference force provided better performance of the control system.
simulation; PID controller; proportional four-way valve
