Efficiency Evaluation of Grain Harvesters of Different Types under North Kazakhstan Conditions

Abstract

The problem of selecting certain types of grain combine harvesters is quite urgent now. This is because the agricultural manufacturers are struggling to make a right selection of a grain harvester of a definite firm or make due to the aggressive marketing from the manufacturers. (Research purpose) Efficiency evaluation of grain harvesters of different types under the North Kazakhstan weather conditions. (Materials and methods) Technical and economic research has been performed according to the standard methodology followed by data analysis. The calculation has been made for direct combining by 4, 5 and 6­-class harvesters equipped with wide­cut headers from leading domestic and foreign manufacturers. (Results and discussions) the authors have also calculated direct costs for thrashing of one ton of grain under favorable harvesting conditions, total costs for thrashing of one ton of grain including grain losses under unfavorable harvesting conditions, as well as total costs for thrashing of one ton of grain considering that 30% of grain is harvested under favorable harvesting conditions and 70% -­ under the ones. (Conclusion) It has been found that the price of thrashing of one ton of grain that characterizes the efficiency of utilizing grain harvesters depends on the price/efficiency ratio of a harvester, yield and harvesting conditions. Combine harvesters of a lower class with the optimum price/efficiency ratio are more preferable under favorable harvesting conditions. However, in case of the harvest period prolongation due to unfavorable harvesting conditions, combine harvesters of a higher class are more preferable.