Combine Harvester
Tasks like harvesting, threshing and separating corn kernels require the use of heavy tools which end up being cumbersome as they require a lot of manpower, time and effort. Today, agricultural machinery has revolutionized the agricultural sector and the invention of the combine harvester is a major contributor to this, being able to accomplish the tasks of harvesting, threshing and separating corn kernels with just one invention and innovation.
This massive automated machine is responsible for revolutionizing the entire agricultural landscape, meticulously harvesting various cereal crops and never allowing for incompetence and inability in any form and manner. In order to understand the role of the combine harvester as an efficient agricultural machine, its amazing capabilities need to be dissected.
Combine Harvester: Operation, Uses and Importance
Combine Harvester Operation:
The technical details of a combine harvester are not limited to the different parts of this complex device but also involve the depth of its operation and functions. This agricultural implement consists of about 21 parts, including headers, reels, cutters, sieves, rotating blades, grain bins, discharge tubes, augers, conveyors, belts, presses, wheels, etc., and can be used to harvest, winnow and thresh crops such as rice, corn, wheat, sunflowers, beans, barley, flax and soybeans.
These crops are only partially edible, and the inedible parts need to be removed along with the stems. Previously, the main tools of farmers were their hands, along with other tools, which they used to cut, thresh (separate the edible part from the inedible part) and clean the different parts of the grain. This not only consumed a lot of labor time and energy, but also reduced overall productivity.
Farmers bid farewell to heavy tools such as sickles, scythes and harvesters and adopted this lightweight agricultural machine, with the header platform as its main feature. The header at the front of the machine collects the grain crop and then pushes it to the cutter bar through the pick-up reel.
The crop is then cut by the cutter bar and then collected by the rotating reel. The cut crops are brought to the threshing area via a conveyor belt where they are shaken and broken until the grains are separated from the straw. The grains and straw go to different destinations, with the grains being collected through a sieve into a collection tank to be unloaded later onto a truck, while the straw and other unwanted items are conveyed to the back of the machine to be thrown later onto a wide area or the land they were harvested.
Uses of a combine harvester:
What used to require blood and sweat from farmers can now be done in a more efficient and productive manner with just one machine. The overall operational process is improved, which has allowed farmers' profits to soar. Some of the features of a combine harvester have been proven to be as follows:
Multi-purpose machines such as combine harvesters reduce the number of people engaged in harvesting, thereby reducing the manpower, time and energy required, ultimately increasing overall productivity.
Farmers benefit from the ease and efficiency with which large areas of crops can be harvested, as this results in better food yields.
A variety of detachable cutting heads and combine harvesters make harvesting different forms of crops more convenient, thereby continuously increasing yields and making agriculture more profitable.
Modern versions use advanced technology that allows for gentler handling of delicate seeds, which earlier versions would often crush and damage.
The desire to produce cleaner grains, reduce crop losses, maintain crop quality, and reduce work costs has encouraged farmers to invest in quality harvesters.
With different versions of combine harvesters, farms of all sizes can harvest crops, making the entire process less labor-intensive.
Key points to consider:
Before using a combine harvester, the machine operator must undergo formal training and obtain a driver's license in order to make full use of the machine.
This huge machine must be regularly inspected and maintained, and any malfunction or anomaly must be repaired and patched immediately. Regular inspection of precision parts is essential to ensure a long life of the machine.
Certain conditions need to be checked before using a combine harvester in the field:
Field conditions
Crop growth
Moisture content
Crop harvesting height
Investing in a quality combine harvester is a sure bet for higher profits, yields, and returns. Therefore, it is essential to get a high-end combine harvester that is not only durable but also fully functional.
