STUDY ON COMBINE MACHINE UNDER EGYPTIAN CONDITIONS " A STUDY ON CLEANING MECHANISM OF A COMBINE HARVESTER "

Abstract

Mechanical harvesting is considered as one of most operations affecting grain losses. Losses almost always take a great toll of the potentially available supply because of poor harvesting and processing techniques. Modification and improvements in combine mechanisms and parts are required to increase combine capacity and improve overall efficiency of the machine. Grain losses in a combine cleaning mechanism have been identified as a major factor limiting combine efficiency and capacity. The laboratory performance of cleaning mechanism (aeromechanical separating unit.) of the Japanese type combine harvester was experimentally investigated for wheat grains (Sakha 69 variety). The objective of the present study are: 1) To develop a laboratory experimental unit for separating and cleaning wheat grains based on the aeromechanical properties of the wheat chaff mixture. 2) To study some physical and aerodynamic properties of the wheat• chaff mixture produced from the combine harvester. 3) To study and analyze of some factors affecting the separation and cleanliness efficiency by using the laboratory experimental unit. 4) To specify the optimum conditions of cleanliness operation which ensure the maximum grade of separation efficiency with minimum grain losses.