Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

The amount of grain loss incurred during harvesting operation through the chaff-outlet of combine may not be negligible. To minimize this grain loss and optimize condition of combining, it may be necessary that the amout of chaff-outlet loss dependent on varying crop condition is to be estimated as ...

The amount of grain loss incurred during harvesting operation through the chaff-outlet of combine may not be negligible. To minimize this grain loss and optimize condition of combining, it may be necessary that the amout of chaff-outlet loss dependent on varying crop condition is to be estimated as exactly as possible. This study was thus intended to develop the monitor that could indicate the amount of grain lost through the chaff-outlet of combine during haravesting operation, and to find out driving and operating method of combine that could reduce chaff-outlet loss. In the study(1), the frequency distributions of each sound generated by the impact of kernels and chaff, the sound generated by the impact of the mixture of kernels and chaff, and vibration or noise created by the combine engine and other moving parts were investigated experimentally. Based on the results of frequency analyses, the loss monitor was developed which could measure the impact sound of paddy kernels that could be distinguished from those of other threshing products through chaff-outlet, and from vibration or noise created by the combine engine and other moving parts. Also in this study, detecting capability of monitor was tested by comparing the amount of grain lost through chaff-outlet with the amount of grain detected by the loss monitor, and changes in chaff-outlet grain loss on the increase of traveling speed, location of chaff-outlet loss control plate and variety of paddy rice were measured using the loss monitor. The monitor developed in this study efficiently measured the amount of grain lost through the chaff-outlet of combine. It was found that the chaff-outlet grain loss ratio was affected greatly by the variety of paddy rice, the location of chaff-outlet loss control plate and traveling speed of combine.