Self-propelled Harvester Research Articles

Styling Imagery of Self-Propelled Harvester Based on Kansei Engineering

Styling Imagery of Self-Propelled Harvester Based on Kansei Engineering

Structure optimization for the discharge arm of the self-propelled forage harvester based on CFD-DEM

To optimize the structure of the discharge arm of the self-propelled harvester and improve the harvesting efficiency to reduce the loss, we first established a mathematical model of the gas-solid two-phase of the forage in the unloading process. Next, we revealed the flow characteristics of forage and the influence of key structures of the discharge arm using the CFD-DEM. Then, we optimized the key structural parameters of the discharge arm using the orthogonal test and response surface method. Finally, we carried out the simulation and field experiment on the forage conveying performance of the discharge arm. The experimental results show that the maximum conveying distance of the new discharge arm is more than 27 m, significantly reducing the spraying loss and improving the harvesting efficiency. Our research findings provide a new reference for optimizing the agricultural material conveying machines and exploring the movement characteristics of agricultural materials in different pipelines.

Energy-saving technology for harvesting root crops and potatoes

The purpose of the work is to empirically determine the temperature of the exhaust gases when changing the load on the power plant of a beet harvester with a separating system that provides better harvesting quality in conditions of high soil moisture. Have been developed: classification of methods for increasing the separating ability of slot-hole devices for cleaning root crops; laboratory installation for determining the quality indicators of a separation system with thermal energy for exhaust gas purification with a star-shaped cleaning device; a method for assessing the process of heat transfer from the exhaust gases of the power plant of the self-propelled harvester for harvesting sugar beets Holmer Terra Dos T3 to the separating system, which involves determining the temperature using thermocouples installed at various points in the gas exhaust system of the internal combustion engine. An experimental study of the temperature of the exhaust gases of the power plant of a harvesting machine was carried out using thermocouples at maximum rotation speed with a change in the thermal load index of the external environment from 5 to 30°C. The heat of the exhaust gases from the Mercedes-Benz power plant of the Holmer Terra Dos T3 self-propelled harvester, aimed at blowing the working surface of the separating device at the outlet of the first and fourth, as well as the second and third cylinders, has minor discrepancies exceeding the error limits (65 ± 5.8; 63.2 ± 1.5 and 74.9 ± 2.4; 75.2 ± 2.0°C, respectively), which leads to a uniform distribution of heat flow on the device for cleaning sugar beet roots.

Recent Patent for Walking Device of Corn Harvester

Background: Corn harvesting is an important part of the entire corn production process. Corn harvester power, turning radius and dehulling device will directly affect harvest efficiency and the quality of harvested corn. Obtaining better performance peeling device with strong power and minimum turning radius is the research direction in this field. Objective: This paper summarizes the patents of the walking system of corn harvesters at home and abroad in recent years, and introduces the characteristics and development of knapsack harvesters, trailed harvesters and self-propelled harvesters, such as power, turning radius and artificial intelligence. summarize its development trend, and provide reference for the development of various aspects of crop harvester. Methods: This paper reviewed the research status of the corn harvester walking system in recent years, and discussed the structure types and applications of various harvester walking systems. Results: By summarizing the patents of the walking system of the corn harvester, this paper obtains the current patent application status, analyzes the main problems in its development, and discusses the problems existing in the walking system of the harvester and the future research direction. Conclusion: The running device of the existing harvester needs to be further improved in terms of reliability, power system, turning radius, etc. The patent of the walking device of the harvester is yet to be developed. With the application of GPS, sensing and detection, information processing, automatic control and other technologies in the field of harvesting, the mechanized corn harvesting is gradually developing towards intelligence and automation.

Power balance calculation of a mobile energy vehicle with a mounted adapter for harvesting bast crops

Bast crops are characterized by the content of strong bast fibers in the stems and a significant height of crops. The process of cleaning them involves the use of narrowly focused and powerful machines. The article considers the principle of distribution of the effective power of a self-propelled harvesting unit for bast crops. The evaluation of the components of the power balance will allow quantifying the power capabilities of the engine and the loading of the energy means in the unit with an adapter to perform the technological process for various cleaning conditions

Colheita mecanizada de plantas de café conilon utilizando uma máquina automotriz

ABSTRACT Coffee is one of the main commodities of global agribusiness and of outstanding economic and social relevance for Brazil. The lack of labor and its high cost are factors that worry coffee producers, mainly during the conilon coffee harvesting, which is performed manually. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of a self-propelled harvester under different conditions of machine adjustment and conduction of the Coffea canephora crop and measure its influence on the cost of harvesting compared to manual harvesting. Harvesting speed (800 to 1600 m h-1), rotation of the vibrating rod cylinder (1.0 and 1.5 RPM), number of orthotropic branches (one, two, and three), and plants with and without plagiotropic branches in the lower third were assessed. The increase in harvesting speed reduced the efficiencies of stripping and harvesting and defoliation. Increasing from one to three orthotropic branches per plant increased harvesting and stripping efficiencies, fruit loss on the ground, defoliation, and reduced pending load. The management without plagiotropic branches showed higher harvesting efficiency, lower loss on the ground, and lower defoliation. Harvesting speeds from 800 to 1600 m h-1 reduced the total and unit costs up to 62% compared to manual harvesting. Increasing harvesting efficiency above 70% has reduced harvesting costs by up to 79% compared to manual harvesting.

Nível de ruído ocupacional emitido por colhedoras automotrizes na colheita do cafeeiro

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the level of occupational noise emitted by automotive harvesters during coffee harvest. For the evaluations, three self-propelled harvesters were used: Case-IH® model Coffee Express 200, with cabin; Korvan® model 9200, without cabin; and Oxbo® model 9220, with cabin. Data were collected using a noise dosimeter model DOS-700. Noise levels were assessed for the operator and assistant of each harvester. Five repetitions were performed for the operator and assistant, with each repetition consisting of 2 h of evaluation. Results obtained were compared with the action level and exposure limit of the Regulatory Norms (NR) 15 and Occupational Hygiene Norms (NHO) 01. The action levels of the NHO 01 (82 dB) and NR 15 (80 dB) regulations were exceeded for the operator and assistant in the three evaluated harvesters. Regarding the exposure limit (85 dB), the level was exceeded for the operator of the Korvan® and Case-IH® harvesters in accordance with NHO 01. In the NR 15 regulation, the exposure limit was > 85 dB for the operator of the Korvan® harvester. For the assistant, all harvesters emitted noise levels > 85 dB based on both the NHO 01 and NR 15 regulations.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ АЛЬТЕРНАТИВА ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЯ КАРТОФЕЛЯ В МОСКОВСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

Due to the need to replace worn-out mechanization tools with more modern high-performance brands, the search for alternative technologies for growing potatoes is rather relevant. Tha author made a comparative analysis of the production efficiency of the ridge-band and ridge technologies of potato cultivation for CJSC Lenin State Farm in the Moscow Region. The area of potato cultivation of the “Pirol” variety was 400 hectares. With the ridge-band technology, the main and pre-sowing tillage was carried out by the MTZ 1025 and K744R1 tractors, while ZA1500 was used for fertilization. The PLN-5-35 plow and a KSS-9 cultivator were used as tillage tools. When shifting to the ridge technology of potato cultivation, alternative means of mechanization can be considered. Tractors MTZ 1025 and K744R1 are proposed to be replaced by John Deere 8295R. During autumn tillage, plowing was replaced by deep loosening, carried out by the Digger N Fert + COMPACT deep loosener with the simultaneous application of complex fertilizers. The GL 430 was chosen as the sowing machine instead of the energy-saturated Grimme VL20 KLZ machine. Potato harvesting is proposed to be carried out with a Ventor 4150 self-propelled harvester, which is less productive than the DR-1500, but more fuel efficient; moreover, it cuts the tops while harvesting. The proposed measures made it possible to reduce the production cost of one centner by 10.8% or by 33.5 rubles per 100 kg, increase profit by 16.0% and production profitability by 9.8%, thus reaching 43.7%. The practice of using new machines exemplified by this enterprise can be useful for other potato farms operating in the Non-Chernozem Zone of Russia.

Estimation of the Remaining Value for Grape Harvesters Based on Second-Hand European Market Online Data

Assessing the remaining value (RV) of agricultural machines is essential to compute the depreciation costs, especially in the second-hand market, although previous scientific studies have employed the scrap value as an estimate of RV (10 years of life). Since Brazil, a developing country, is at the very first steps of the process of grape harvest mechanization, it is likely that second-hand grape harvesters will be mainly machines that will be imported and employed for this task. ASABE has developed a methodology to evaluate RV based on an experimental formula that takes into account the auction value, the age and the intensity of annual use. Our work adjusted the RV coefficients for grape harvesters based on the online European market (Spain and France) considering 1290 visited reporting brands, models, ages, hours of use and sale value, refined to 89 unique records. For self-propelled grape harvesters, two types of ownership were identified based on the normal distribution of annual use intensity: private owners (22) and farm service providers (6), with an average RV of 28% and 40% of auction value, respectively. For trailed harvesters, the average RV for a machine age shorter than 13.5 years was 36% of the auction value compared to 12.5% for a life of more than 24 years. The performance of the RV models (R2) based on the formulation of ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) amounted to 0.86 and 0.85 for self-propelled and trailed harvesters.

실외용 농기계의 전장 보호 설계 기법과 신뢰성 시험 평가 방법

This paper introduces the protection design method for electronic units of the self-propelled harvester, which is an agricultural machine used for field farming, among outdoor agricultural machines, and a reliability test evaluation method for it. The field farming work environment is an outdoor off-road surface that is generally divided into a ridge and a furrow. These off-road surfaces are mixed with various factors such as boulders, grass, and puddles, so shocks are constantly transmitted to the electrical equipment during movement and work, and dust is generated and moisture such as raindrops can penetrate into the interior of the electronic units the probability is very high. Typical external environmental factors that adversely affect the electronic units installed on the harvester body when the outdoor agricultural machine moves or works are impact, dust, and water. Therefore, this study proposes in detail a design technique that protects electronic units from the external environmental factors mentioned above and a reliability test evaluation method that can verify it.

Current problems of healthy working conditions and prevention of health disorders of agricultural mechanizers during the operation of self-propelled grain harvesters

The prevention of work-related health disorders is a priority in hygiene and preventive medicine. However, little attention has yet been paid to occupational health issues for agricultural workers. The purpose of this research was to assess the current state and develop measures to improve working conditions during the operation of self-propelled combine harvesters, the most widely represented in the existing machine and tractor fleet of agriculture in Russia. Measurements and hygienic assessment of the parameters of the factors of the production environment and the labor process in real production conditions have been carried out. The research results showed that the working conditions on self-propelled combine harvesters are characterized by a complex effect on workers of unfavorable factors (dustiness of the air in the working area, microclimatic discomfort, noise, general and local vibration, physical and sensory-emotional overload), the levels of which to varying degrees exceed hygienic standards. (classes 3.1–3.4). It has been established that the main reason for the formation of harmful working conditions is the operation of morally and physically worn out equipment. It is shown that the impact of an unfavorable production environment can serve as a risk factor for the emergence and development of general and occupational pathology among agricultural machine operators. A set of measures has been developed to ensure safe working conditions and reduce the risk of health disorders for machine operators, including normalizing the microclimate, reducing noise, vibration, dustiness in the air in the working area, optimizing the working posture, and introducing rational modes of work and rest. However, the basic measure that minimizes the adverse impact of professionally determined production factors on the health of agricultural machine operators is the complete replacement of the outdated machine and tractor fleet with agricultural machinery of new generations and compliance with the terms of its operation.

ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКИЕ ПРЕДПОСЫЛКИ ПОВЫШЕНИЯ СЕПАРИРУЮЩЕЙ СИСТЕМЫ МАШИНЫ ДЛЯ УБОРКИ КОРНЕПЛОДОВ ТЕПЛОВОЙ ЭНЕРГИЕЙ СИСТЕМЫ ОТРАБОТАВШИХ ГАЗОВ

To improve the quality indicators of harvesting root crops in conditions of high humidity, it is proposed to mount a separating device on the combine, which ensures the separation of root crops from soil and plant impurities with simultaneous blowing of their surface with hot exhaust gases from the power plant of the harvesting machine. Heat losses with exhaust gases (Q_G = 51960 J/s) exceed its amount equivalent to useful work (Q_A = 50900 J/s), therefore, it is necessary to ensure efficient use of the heat released into the atmosphere to increase the efficiency of the energy component of harvesting root crops and potatoes in conditions of high soil moisture. The aim of the study is to theoretically substantiate the improvement of the quality of separation of sugar beet root crops in conditions of high humidity with the use of blowing the working surface of the cleaning devices with exhaust gases from the power plant of the self-propelled harvester in the separation system of the harvester. The subject of research is the separation system of a combine harvester, represented by a cleaning star with installed deflectors for blowing the working surface. The condition for the uniform distribution of a heap of commercial products over the separating working surface is determined and theoretical dependences of the angular velocity v_EL and the rotational speed n_SP of the separating star on the forward speed of the sweeper and the radius of the separating star with uniform blowing of exhaust gases on the working surface are obtained

AVALIAÇÃO TÉCNICA E ECONÔMICA DE UMA COLHEDORA AUTOMOTRIZ EM LAVOURAS DE CAFÉ CONILON

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência técnica da colhedora automotriz de hastes vibratórias em lavouras de café conilon (Coffea canephora) e sua influência nos custos de colheita. Os ensaios foram realizados em lavoura comercial, com espaçamento de 3,50 x 0,50 m. Nos ensaios foram comparadas a velocidade de colheita (1,0; 1,6 e 2,0 km h-1), a frequência de vibração (700, 800 e 900 rpm) e o número de passadas da colhedora (primeira, segunda e única). Eficiência de derriça (ED) e de colheita (EC), percentual de frutos perdidos no chão (FPC) e não derriçados (FND) e desfolha foram medidos nos clones bamburral e 153/143. O custo operacional horário da colheita mecanizada foi calculado a partir dos custos fixos e variáveis. O custo total da colheita mecanizada foi obtido pelo somatório dos custos de colheita, repasse de solo e planta e perdas no chão. O aumento da velocidade e a redução da frequência e do número de passadas reduziram a ED e EC e aumentaram os FND dos clones em estudo. O uso da colhedora de café apresentou custo operacional de R$ 279,21 h-1, sendo 49% fixo e 51% variável, enquanto o manual foi de R$ 15,30 por saco (80 L). Observou-se uma redução no custo da colheita mecanizada de 33 a 50% em relação a colheita manual, com uma velocidade de 0,60 e 2,00 km h-1. O aumento da velocidade e da eficiência de colheita da máquina automotriz reduziram o custo total e unitário da colheita em relação à manual.

Factorial Experiment for Air Blower of the Pepper Harvester

The present study intended to determine the optimal separating factors of the self-propelled pepper harvester. The separating factors were rotational speed of 1600, 1800, and 2000 rpm; the slope angle of 34, 41, and 48 degrees; and the separating number of wind guides at the outlet of the air blower. The resulting performance of the pepper harvester was appraised by analyzing the rates of pepper separation and foreign materials in leaves. The rates of pepper separation tended to be declining according to the number of outlet guides in operation. The higher levels of speed of rotation and slope angle rendered higher rates of separation of foreign materials. Under the condition of the rotation speed of 1600 rpm with the operation of three wind guides, the rate of separation of foreign materials appeared as 29.9% lower than the case of operation of no wind guides, and the changes in the rate of separation foreign matters with the slope angle varied according to increasing speed of rotation, appeared negligent. It was concluded that the optimal condition of operation comprising the rotation speed of 2000 rpm and 34° of slope angle of air blower, and simultaneous operation of three wind guides at the outlet thereof, can return over 95% of the rate of pepper separation in the case of less than 5% of the rate of mixing with foreign materials. Thus, the optimal combination of operating conditions needs to be complemented through actual field tests of the pepper harvester.

The experimental evaluation of the effectiveness of the regenerative drive of the working bodies of a combine harvester

In grain self-propelled harvesters, when performing technological processes of mowing grain crops and cleaning grain, the oscillating working bodies are used. Having advantages in carrying out technological processes, they are a source of alternating load caused by the inertia forces of the masses of the elements of these organs and leading to the dynamic loading of their drives and vibration of the combine frame. One way to overcome these shortcomings is the recovery of energy in the drives of the working bodies. The authors of the article have proposed a method that, due to the use of a regenerative drive, can reduce its dynamic loading, as well as reduce the vibration of the machinery frame. Based on the proposed method, a method for balancing a single-knife cutting apparatus has been developed. For an experimental assessment of the legitimacy of the theoretical developments underlying the presented technical solution, a prototype drive of oscillating working bodies was developed and manufactured, which allows simulating the operation of traditional and regenerative cutting machine drives. The experimental studies of the prototype model confirmed the validity of the theoretical background of the developed method for balancing a single-knife cutting apparatus and allowed to deepen the theoretical and empirical knowledge in the field of regenerative drives. An analysis of the results of experimental studies of prototype samples showed that, compared with a traditional drive, a regenerative drive can reduce the load and vibration activity by more than 1,5 times. The factors affecting the efficiency of the regenerative drive of a single-knife cutting device have been established, which include: the presence of higher harmonics in the law of motion of the knife provided by the rolling washer mechanism, resonance phenomena in the drive of oscillating masses and structural elements of the header, simplification of the design of the drive of the recuperator counterweight.

The Market of Energy Capacities: Development and Recent Economic Opportunities

The main objective of the study was to assess the market of energy capacities for the development of crop production in Russia. As a result of the study, the dynamics of updating the fleet of agricultural machinery is assessed. Based on a detailed analysis of the intensity of production of energy carriers for crop production in Russia, as well as mechanisms of state support for agricultural engineering, recommendations are given on the formation of import substitution conditions in the markets of self-propelled vehicles in the country. We concluded that the production of crop production, due to its technological specificity, is energy-intensive, from the point of view of the need to provide energy capacities. Self-propelled machinery (self-propelled harvesting equipment - combines, tractors of various draft classes, and other self-propelled machinery for technological operations) form energy capacities in crop production. Based on the analysis, the article shows the availability of energy capacities of agricultural producers, the share of imported equipment as an element affecting food security, offers on the development of the agricultural machinery market in the context of the implementation of the import substitution policy

Miscanthus harvesting technologies and computer-assisted cost estimation of biomass production

The purpose of the paper was to determine the costs of production of biomass from Miscanthus, for various harvesting technologies. The study includes harvest in the form of chaff and compacted straw, on a 10 ha plantation. The scope of work includes estimated calculations for six different variants, computed with the application “BiOBkalkulator”. The biomass production costs were very diverse and ranged from PLN 80t-1 (PLN 1613ha-1) for the small-scale streamlined harvesting technology, to PLN 258t-1 (PLN 5,158ha-1) for the self-propelled forage harvesting technology, using own machinery (IVa). The costs of harvesting and transporting Miscanthus constitute from approx. 41 to over 80% of the biomass production costs, depending on the variant used.

Rolling radii and moment arm of the wheel load for pneumatic tyres

Tractors and self-propelled harvesters are equipped with high volume pneumatic tyres with a low tyre inflation pressure. The contact patch can shift forwards or backwards in reference to the wheel centre as reaction on traction or brake forces because of the elastic tyre wall. Theoretical investigations – as necessary for modelling and simulation of dynamic vehicle behaviour – are complicated, since important tyre metrics cannot directly be measured based on the large deformations. Additionally, different definitions are often used. This is especially valid for the conversion of a drive torque into a traction force. In this context, the moment arm of the wheel load and the rolling radius of the tyre at zero slip condition are especially important. In contrast to the hitherto existing perception, the magnitude and position of the moment arm of the wheel load in reference to the wheel centre is dependent on traction and brake forces in addition to the motion resistance. The rolling radius of an elastic pneumatic tyre can be interpreted as radius of a fictitious rigid substitute wheel. This contribution emphasizes the outstanding importance of the rolling radius rdyn for all calculations on pneumatic tyres and the important roll of the variable moment arm of the wheel load for the moment compensation on the wheel.

Quantitative and qualitative loss of tomato fruits during mechanized harvest

ABSTRACT The use of mechanization in the harvesting of industrial tomatoes provides greater yield and speed of this stage. However, mechanical intervention in this process may alter the physiology of harvested fruits. Therefore, the objective of this study was to measure the quantitative losses of tomato fruits and to verify the physico-chemical behavior of fruits harvested based on physicochemical analysis in harvesters with different hours of use. Three self-propelled harvesters of the same brand and model with different working hours were used. Manually selected or undamaged fruits were harvested; afterwards, mechanized harvesting was carried out. Firmness, titratable acidity, soluble solids content (°Brix), pH, weight loss and fruit status classification proposed by the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Food Supply of 2002 were evaluated. Quantitative losses were divided into: losses on vines, losses on soil and total losses. It was found that the number of hours worked by the harvester did not affect the quantitative losses. The amount of overall damage in a certain amount of fruit is greater when the harvester has a greater number of hours worked. Mechanized harvesting affected the physical attributes of the fruits, such as firmness and percentage of weight loss.

Mathematical Model of the Plane-Parallel Movement of the Self-Propelled Root-Harvesting Machine

The harvest techniques and the employed machines are important factors in reducing soil loss due to root crop harvesting. Furthermore, the deviation of the working organs of the self-propelled sugar root harvesting machines from the axis of the row also leads to significant losses and damage to sugar beetroots. Therefore, the self-propelled machine units must move in a horizontal plane with a high degree of accuracy. The purpose of this study is to increase the efficiency of the self-propelled harvester by analyzing its plane-parallel motion and evaluating its constructive and kinematic parameters. In order to determine the influence of these parameters on the plane-parallel motion of the self-propelled root harvesting machine, its mathematical model has been calculated. Furthermore, experimental tests were executed in order to evaluate the degree of damage to sugar beetroot crops during their digging, depending on the magnitude of the deviations of the center of the digging tool. The results of this trials highlighted that if the crop row deviates from the conventional axis line by 10 mm, the root crop damage exceeds is 21.7% and at deviations by 70 mm, the damage exceeds 67%. The theoretical study of the trajectory of the center of the outside digging tool and the experimental evaluation of its work (in terms of the quality of harvesting with deviations in its trajectory of motion) formally confirm the coincidence of all the studies—both theoretical and experimental. The use of the model of the plane-parallel movement of the self-propelled root harvesting machine then improves the quality parameters of the technological process.