APPROPRIATE SCALE AND BUSINESS VIABLE WHOLE FEED COMBINE HARVESTER FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The soil and topography of Bangladesh are distinct from other countries. As a result, not all imported machine models work effectively here. Bangladesh needs to develop combine harvesters that are technically, environmentally, and economically viable. Thus, a research platform for locally acceptable combine harvesters was established by comparing the technoeconomic performance of three imported harvesters in haor districts. The Chinese (4LZ-0.6), Sifang (4LZ-1.5), and Zoomlion (4LZT-4.0ZD) models with a cutting width of 1000, 1500, and 2000 mm, respectively, were employed in this study. The harvesting capacity, fuel consumption, harvesting loss, minimum suitable plot area, ground pressure, business viability, transportation, and operator comfortless were considered to recommend a suitable machine. Based on the result, Zoomlion model whole feed combine harvester is excellent for harvesting in the haor area in the bigger sizes plot, while a head width of 1500mm for smaller plots. While a small combine's cost is incredibly low, farmers have refused to adopt the equipment since their businesses have failed because of its restricted harvesting capacity and high component failure rate. The machinery must be transportable in a conventional truck due to the remote road conditions (truck width 2000 mm). As a result, local roadways can accommodate whole feed combine harvesters with an 1800 mm width. In haor regions, 24 kNm-2 ground pressure and 300 mm ground clearance functioned effectively. The adjustment of the harvester machine is extremely subtle, resulting in strong vibrations in a single cylinder engine, causing parts to fail prematurely and the driver to be unable to operate the machine comfortably for extended periods of time. As a result, fourcylinder engines outperform one-cylinder engines in popularity. Access to machine components is critical, as is the presence of a grain tank for simple supply.