Evaluation of Combine Harvesting Performance with Grain Loss Distribution Characterization in Corn

Highlights Experimental results comparing the performance of three modern class 9 combine harvesters in corn are presented. Performance comparisons include throughput vs. grain loss characterization, maximum throughput performance, fuel economy, and grain quality. Grain loss distribution is characterized with a set of electromagnetic drop pans across the working width of the harvester, providing insights into common in-field grain loss measurement practices. ABSTRACT. Modern combine harvesters continue to increase in capacity and efficiency as average yields and farm sizes increase. Combines are categorized by size in classes based on power; however, processing variations within the combine result in performance variation for combines even within the same class. There is a need for accurate and efficient comparative performance assessments of these machines in the field. The presented work describes the performance evaluation of three class 9 combines during a corn harvest. Capacity, grain loss, grain quality, and fuel efficiency are measured and compared at various speeds to characterize the loss curve of the machines. Then, the maximum capacity, subject to reasonable constraints, is assessed for each machine. Because grain loss distribution differs for different combines due to architecture, eleven electromagnetic drop pans and four traditional measurement frames were utilized across the harvest width to characterize the grain loss distribution in addition to total grain loss at different operating speeds. The analysis resulting from these experiments aims to show an efficient in-field workflow to compare combine performance while providing insights into typical grain loss distributions from modern combines. Keywords: Keywords.,Combine evaluation, Drop pans, Fuel consumption, Grain loss, Grain loss distribution.