UNIT-5

HARVESTING MACHINERY

 Principles of cutting crop

Cutting a crop, or harvesting, is a crucial step in agriculture, directly impacting crop

quality, yield, and storage life. Proper harvesting techniques ensure that crops reach
consumers in the best possible condition and minimize losses. Here are some core
principles to follow when cutting a crop:

1. Timing of Harvest
- Optimal Maturity: Crops should be harvested at the peak of their maturity.
Harvesting too early or too late can reduce yield and quality. For example, grains
should be harvested when they reach physiological maturity, while fruits and
vegetables vary depending on the desired ripeness for the market.
- Weather Considerations: Plan to harvest during dry weather. Wet conditions
increase the risk of fungal infections and can cause crops like grains to sprout, which
reduces quality.
- Temperature and Humidity: Cooler temperatures, especially during early mornings
or late afternoons, are generally best for harvesting most crops to minimize heat stress
and moisture loss.

2. Preparation of Tools and Equipment

- Sharpness and Cleanliness: Use sharp tools to make clean cuts, which reduces
bruising and damage to the plant. Blunt tools can harm crops and make them prone to
disease.
- Proper Tool Choice: The type of tool used (e.g., sickles, machetes, harvesters, or
scissors) should be appropriate for the crop. Large mechanized tools can be used for
cereals, while hand tools might be better suited for delicate crops like herbs.
- Regular Maintenance: Ensure harvesting equipment is regularly maintained to
prevent breakdowns, which could delay harvest and impact quality.

3. Cutting Techniques
- Avoid Damage: Be mindful to avoid unnecessary damage to the main plant,
especially in crops with multiple harvest cycles, like vegetables.
- Leave Sufficient Stubble: For grains, leaving a bit of stubble can protect the soil
and prepare it for subsequent planting.
- Minimize Contact: Reducing direct contact with fruits or vegetables can prevent
bruising, as certain crops are more susceptible to physical damage and rot.

4. Handling and Post-Harvest Management

- Minimize Handling: Minimizing handling helps reduce physical damage and the
potential for contamination.
- Immediate Transport to Storage: Quickly transport harvested crops to appropriate
storage facilities. This is essential for perishable items that can degrade rapidly in
quality, like leafy greens and fruits.
- Appropriate Containers: Use appropriate containers to prevent squashing and
allow ventilation. For example, baskets for delicate fruits can prevent bruising, and
grain sacks with small holes provide ventilation and prevent mold.
 5. Storage and Preservation
- Cool Storage: Many crops benefit from cold storage soon after harvest to slow
down respiration and prolong freshness, especially fruits and leafy greens.
- Drying for Grains and Pulses: Grains and pulses need to be dried to the correct
moisture level to prevent spoilage. Too much moisture can lead to mold and aflatoxin
development.
- Humidity Control: Controlling humidity is crucial to avoid wilting or rot in storage.
Too much humidity can lead to fungal growth, while too little can cause certain crops
to dry out.

6. Safety and Hygiene

- Worker Safety: Provide protective equipment (like gloves) and adequate training
on handling sharp tools, especially when using mechanical harvesters.
- Sanitation: Clean equipment and tools regularly to prevent contamination from
pathogens or pests that can spread to healthy plants or crops.

7. Sustainable Practices
- Residue Management: Consider how to handle crop residues, such as straw from
grains or stalks from corn. These can be left as mulch, plowed into the soil for organic
matter, or used as livestock feed.
- Soil Health: Avoid practices that degrade soil health, like cutting too low, which
can reduce future crop potential and lead to soil erosion.

 Types of harvesting machinery

Harvesting machinery plays a critical role in modern agriculture, increasing efficiency

and reducing the labor required for harvesting crops. Here’s a detailed overview of
various types of harvesting machinery used for different crops:

1. Combine Harvesters
- Description: A versatile machine that combines several harvesting operations into
one process, including cutting, threshing, and cleaning.
- Uses: Primarily used for cereal grains such as wheat, corn, barley, and oats.
- Types:
- Conventional Combine: Standard machines with a header for cutting and a
threshing system.
- Self-Propelled Combine: These are larger and can move independently, equipped
with powerful engines for increased efficiency.

2. Reapers
- Description: Machines designed specifically for cutting grain or grass.
- Uses: Suitable for small grains like wheat and barley.
- Types:
- Self-Propelled Reaper: Operates independently.
- Tractor-Mounted Reaper: Attached to a tractor, providing mobility and power.

3. Forage Harvesters
 - Description: Machines that cut and chop forage crops into small pieces for feeding
livestock.
- Uses: Commonly used for corn silage, grass, and other forage crops.
- Types:
- Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters: Independent machines that can quickly chop
and blow forage into transport vehicles.
- Pull-Type Forage Harvesters: Towed by tractors, suitable for smaller farms.

4. Cotton Pickers
- Description: Specialized machinery designed to harvest cotton.
- Uses: Used for mechanical cotton harvesting to reduce labor costs and improve
efficiency.
- Types:
- Spindle Picker: Uses spindles to grasp and pull cotton from the bolls.
- Stripper: Removes all bolls, including open and closed, and is generally faster but
may require more cleaning.

5. Potato Harvesters
- Description: Machines designed to lift potatoes from the ground while minimizing
damage.
- Uses: Specifically for harvesting potatoes and other tubers.
- Types:
- Two-Row Potato Harvester: Harvests two rows at once, using lifting mechanisms
to gently remove potatoes.
- Four-Row Potato Harvester: More efficient, harvesting four rows simultaneously,
suitable for larger farms.

6. Sugarcane Harvesters
- Description: Specialized machinery for cutting and processing sugarcane.
- Uses: Designed for efficient harvesting of tall, dense sugarcane.
- Types:
- Self-Propelled Sugarcane Harvester: Cuts the cane and often chops it into
manageable lengths for transportation.
- Pull-Type Harvesters: Towed by tractors for flexibility.

7. Fruit and Vegetable Harvesters

- Description: Machines designed to selectively harvest various fruits and
vegetables.
- Uses: Ideal for harvesting delicate crops such as tomatoes, strawberries, and
cucumbers.
- Types:
- Mechanical Harvesters: Can be used for bulk harvesting; typically designed to
minimize damage.
- Pickers: Human-operated machines that assist workers in reaching and picking
fruits efficiently.

8. Grain Augers
- Description: While not a harvesting machine, grain augers are crucial for
transferring harvested grain to storage.
- Uses: Used for moving bulk grain from combines or trailers into silos or grain bins.
 9. Baler
- Description: A machine that compresses cut crop residue (like hay or straw) into
bales for easy handling and storage.
- Uses: Used after harvesting forage crops to bundle them for transport.
- Types:
- Round Balers: Create round bales, easier to transport and store.
- Square Balers: Produce square bales, often preferred for easy stacking.

10. Harvesting Robots

- Description: Emerging technology in agriculture, these machines use advanced
sensors and AI to selectively harvest crops.
- Uses: Ideal for fruits and vegetables, such as berries and tomatoes, where gentle
handling is crucial.
- Advantages: Can operate autonomously, reducing labor costs and improving
precision.

Fig:- Combine Harvester

 Vertical conveyor reaper and binder combine harvesters

Vertical conveyor reapers and binder combine harvesters are specific types of
harvesting machinery designed to improve efficiency and effectiveness in crop
harvesting. Here’s a detailed overview of each:

1. Vertical Conveyor Reaper

Description:
A vertical conveyor reaper is a type of harvesting machine designed primarily for
cutting and gathering crops such as cereals (e.g., wheat, barley, oats) and other small
grains.

Key Features:
- Vertical Conveyor System: The reaper uses a vertical conveyor belt or auger system
to elevate the cut crops from the cutter bar to the collection area.
- Cutting Mechanism: Typically equipped with a sickle bar or rotary cutter to cut the
crop at the base.
- Efficiency: The vertical conveyor helps to minimize the time and effort required to
gather the cut crop, reducing losses during the harvesting process.

Uses:
- Ideal for small-scale and medium-scale farming operations.
- Effective in flat and even terrain where crops are not too dense or tall.

Advantages:
- Reduced Crop Loss: The vertical conveyor effectively gathers the cut crop,
minimizing losses.
- Easier Operation: Designed for ease of use, it can be operated by a single person or a
small team.
- Compact Design: Typically smaller and lighter than larger combines, making them
suitable for smaller fields or diverse terrains.

2. Binder Combine Harvester

Description:
Binder combine harvesters, also known simply as combines, are sophisticated
harvesting machines that combine the functions of harvesting, threshing, and cleaning
crops. The term "binder" is often used historically, referring to machines that would
bind cut crops into sheaves.

Key Features:
- Multi-Functionality: Performs several functions: cuts the crop, separates the grain
from the chaff (threshing), and cleans the grain.
- Integrated Design: Combines the cutting header, threshing drum, and cleaning
systems in one unit.
- Advanced Technology: Modern combine harvesters are often equipped with GPS
technology, yield monitors, and advanced automation.

Uses:
- Suitable for harvesting a wide variety of crops, including grains like wheat, corn,
barley, soybeans, and rice.
- Effective in large-scale farming operations due to their efficiency and speed.

Advantages:
- High Efficiency: Significantly reduces the time and labor needed for harvesting
compared to manual methods.
- Minimized Losses: Modern designs help minimize grain loss during the harvesting
process.
- Adaptability: Different attachments and configurations can be adapted for various
crop types and field conditions.

Comparison of Vertical Conveyor Reaper and Binder Combine Harvester

Feature Vertical Conveyor Reaper Binder Combine Harvester

Functionality Primarily cuts and gathers crops Cuts, threshes, and cleans crops
Versatile, used for various grains
Crop Types Generally used for small grains
and legumes
More complex with advanced
Complexity Simpler design, easier to operate
systems
Suitable for small to medium- Highly efficient for large-scale
Efficiency
scale operations operations
Minimal loss with vertical Very low loss due to integrated
Crop Loss
conveyor design
Advanced technology (GPS, yield
Technology Basic operational technology
monitoring)
Field Can handle diverse terrain
Best for flat, even terrain
Conditions conditions

Fig:- Vertical conveyor reaper

 Balers

Balers are essential agricultural machines used for compressing cut crop materials
into compact bales for easier handling, transport, and storage. They are widely used
for various crops, including hay, straw, silage, and other forage materials. Here’s an
in-depth look at balers, including their types, working principles, advantages, and
considerations for use.

Types of Balers

1. Round Balers
- Description: These balers create cylindrical bales, which are often wrapped in
twine or netting to hold them together.
- Common Uses: Used for hay, straw, and silage. They are particularly popular due
to their ease of handling and storage.
- Advantages:
- Round bales can shed water better than square bales, reducing spoilage.
- They are easier to move and transport, especially in fields.
- Typical Size: Bales typically range from 4 to 6 feet in diameter.

2. Square Balers
- Description: These balers produce rectangular bales that are often easier to stack
and store.
- Common Uses: Primarily used for hay and straw, especially in operations where
space efficiency in storage is a priority.
- Advantages:
- Square bales can be tightly packed for storage and transportation.
- They are easy to handle with forklifts or other equipment.
- Typical Size: Bales can range from small (2x2 feet) to large (3x4 feet) depending
on the model.

3. Large Square Balers

- Description: These are specialized square balers that produce larger bales,
typically weighing 1,000 pounds or more.
- Common Uses: Commonly used in large-scale operations for hay and straw where
high volume is required.
- Advantages:
- Reduces the number of bales to handle and store.
- Often more efficient for large operations due to their size and capacity.

4. Silage Balers
- Description: These balers are designed specifically for silage, which is harvested
forage that is fermented and stored under anaerobic conditions.
- Common Uses: Used primarily for corn and other high-moisture forage crops.
- Advantages:
- Often equipped with features to handle wet materials and preserve quality.
- Can wrap bales with plastic film to create anaerobic conditions.

Working Principles of Balers

- Feeding Mechanism: Balers have an intake area where cut crop material is fed into
the machine. This can be done manually or automatically.
- Compression: Inside the baler, the material is compressed by a series of rollers or
plates, which compact the material into the desired bale size.
- Binding: Once the bale is formed, the machine binds it using twine, netting, or
plastic film (in the case of silage) to hold it together.
- Discharge: After binding, the bale is ejected from the machine for stacking or
transportation.

Advantages of Using Balers

1. Efficiency: Balers significantly reduce the time and labor needed for handling and
transporting crop materials.
2. Reduced Spoilage: Properly baled crops can be stored for extended periods without
spoilage, especially when wrapped to protect from moisture.
3. Space Savings: Bales take up less space than loose forage, making them easier to
store and transport.
4. Improved Feed Quality: For silage, balers help preserve nutritional value by
minimizing exposure to air during storage.

Considerations When Using Balers

1. Crop Moisture Content: Ideal moisture levels vary by crop type; for example, hay
should be around 15-20% moisture, while silage can be 60-70%. Too much moisture
can lead to spoilage, while too little can cause dust and reduced binding.
2. Bale Size: Choose the appropriate baler type based on the operation size, crop type,
and storage capabilities.
3. Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the baler operates
efficiently and prevents breakdowns during peak harvesting times.
4. Operator Training: Proper training for operators is crucial to maximize the
effectiveness of the baler and ensure safety during operation.

 Threshers
 Fig:- Combined paddy thresher operation

Threshers are vital machines in the agricultural sector, specifically designed for
separating the grain or seeds from the rest of the plant material after harvesting. They
are an integral part of the post-harvest process, significantly improving efficiency and
reducing labor compared to traditional manual methods. Types of Threshers are as
follows:-

1. Mechanical Threshers
- Description: These machines use mechanical processes to separate grains from the
plant material.
- Common Uses: Primarily used for various cereals, legumes, and oilseeds such as
wheat, rice, barley, and chickpeas.
- Examples:
- Drum Threshers: Utilize a rotating drum with beaters to knock the grains loose
from the stalks.
- Combines: Often referred to as combine harvesters, which perform both cutting
and threshing operations in one pass.

2. Manual Threshers
- Description: Hand-operated machines that require physical effort to thresh grains.
- Common Uses: Suitable for small-scale farming operations or for crops that are
harvested in small quantities.
- Examples:
- Hand-Crank Threshers: Use a hand-operated crank to rotate the threshing drum.
- Pedal-Powered Threshers: Operated by foot pedals, suitable for small farms or
gardens.

3. Portable Threshers
- Description: These are smaller, mobile threshers that can be moved from field to
field.
 - Common Uses: Ideal for small farms and diverse crop types, allowing for easy
transport.
- Features: Often powered by small engines or can be operated using a tractor’s
power take-off (PTO).

4. Specialized Threshers
- Description: Designed for specific crops or purposes.
- Common Uses: Includes threshers for crops like sorghum, millet, or oilseeds,
which may require different threshing mechanisms.
- Examples:
- Rice Threshers: Equipped with features to handle the delicate nature of rice
grains.
- Pulse Threshers: Tailored for separating legumes while minimizing damage to
the seeds.

Working Principles of Threshers

- Feeding Mechanism: Crops are fed into the thresher, usually from a hopper or
directly from a harvesting machine.
- Threshing Action: Inside the machine, the threshing mechanism (drum and beater
bars) separates the grain from the straw. The speed and type of the threshing action
can vary based on the crop type and moisture content.
- Separation: After threshing, the mixture of grains, chaff, and straw passes through a
cleaning system (often using air and screens) to separate the clean grain from the
unwanted materials.
- Discharge: The clean grain is collected, while the straw and chaff are either expelled
out of the machine or can be collected separately for other uses (like animal bedding
or compost).

Advantages of Using Threshers

1. Increased Efficiency: Threshers can process large quantities of crop material in a

fraction of the time it would take to do so manually.
2. Labor Reduction: By mechanizing the threshing process, farmers can significantly
reduce the number of workers needed for post-harvest operations.
3. Improved Grain Quality: Mechanical threshers can produce cleaner grains with less
damage compared to traditional methods.
4. Versatility: Many threshers can be adapted to handle different crop types with
minor adjustments or additional attachments.

Considerations When Using Threshers:-

1. Crop Moisture Content: Proper moisture levels are crucial for effective threshing.
Grains that are too wet may stick together, while overly dry grains can shatter.
2. Type of Crop: Different crops may require different threshing techniques or
machines, so selecting the appropriate thresher is essential.
3. Maintenance: Regular maintenance and calibration are necessary to ensure optimal
performance and longevity of the equipment.
4. Operator Training: Proper training for operators is vital to maximize the machine’s
efficiency and minimize the risk of accidents.
 Tractor on top combine harvester

A tractor-mounted combine harvester, also known as a tractor on top combine, is an

agricultural machine that combines the functionality of a tractor and a combine
harvester. This type of equipment is designed for harvesting grain crops effectively,
and it typically features the following characteristics:

Overview of Tractor-Mounted Combine Harvesters

1. Design and Structure:

- Integration: The tractor provides the power and mobility, while the combine
harvester attachment contains the cutting, threshing, and grain separation mechanisms.
- Compact Configuration: The design allows the combine unit to be mounted
directly on the tractor, making it easier to maneuver in fields compared to larger self-
propelled combines.

2. Functionality:
- Cutting: The front of the combine harvester features a cutting header that slices
through crops, usually equipped with sickle bars or rotary cutters.
- Threshing: After cutting, the harvested material is fed into the threshing
mechanism, which separates the grain from the chaff and straw.
- Grain Collection: The separated grain is collected in a hopper, while the straw is
ejected or left in the field for further management (e.g., as mulch or animal bedding).

3. Power Source:
- The tractor supplies the necessary power through the power take-off (PTO), which
connects to the combine harvester to drive the threshing and other mechanisms.

Advantages of Tractor-Mounted Combine Harvesters

1. Cost-Effective:
- These machines can be more economical than purchasing a self-propelled combine
harvester, as they utilize an existing tractor.

2. Versatility:
- Tractor-mounted combines can be adapted for different crop types by changing the
header and attachments, making them suitable for various farming operations.

3. Maneuverability:
- Their compact size allows for better maneuverability in smaller fields or hilly
terrain, where larger combines may struggle.

4. Ease of Use:
- Farmers familiar with operating tractors may find it easier to learn to operate a
tractor-mounted combine, as it shares many controls and functionalities.

Considerations for Using Tractor-Mounted Combine Harvesters

1. Power Requirements:
 - Ensure that the tractor has sufficient horsepower to effectively drive the combine
harvester, especially when dealing with tougher crops or large fields.

2. Field Conditions:
- Tractor-mounted combines are best suited for well-maintained fields. Heavy or
muddy conditions may limit their effectiveness compared to larger, more robust
combines.

3. Harvesting Efficiency:
- While they are versatile and economical, tractor-mounted combines may not
match the harvesting speed or capacity of larger, self-propelled models, especially in
large-scale operations.

4. Maintenance:
- Regular maintenance of both the tractor and the combine components is essential
to ensure optimal performance and prevent breakdowns during peak harvesting times.

Fig:-Flow chart of combine harvester

 Combine losses

Combine losses refer to the grain or crop material that is lost during the harvesting
process when using a combine harvester. Understanding and minimizing these losses
is crucial for maximizing efficiency, increasing yield, and improving profitability in
agricultural operations. Here’s a comprehensive overview of combine losses, their
types, causes, measurement, and strategies for reduction.

Types of Combine Losses

1. Header Losses:
 - Description: Losses that occur when the crop is cut but not collected by the
combine.
- Causes:
- Poor cutting height adjustment.
- Ineffective gathering mechanisms (e.g., worn or broken fingers on the header).
- Crop conditions such as lodging (when crops fall over) or uneven growth.

2. Thresher Losses:
- Description: Losses occurring during the threshing process, where grain is
separated from the chaff and straw.
- Causes:
- Improper drum speed or cylinder clearance.
- Insufficient threshing time.
- Mechanical failure, such as a malfunctioning threshing drum or insufficient
beating action.

3. Separation Losses:
- Description: Losses that happen when grains are not effectively separated from the
straw or chaff.
- Causes:
- Incorrect adjustment of the separation system (e.g., wrong sieve settings).
- High moisture content in the grain, causing clumping.
- Poor design of the separation mechanism.

4. Cleaning Losses:
- Description: Losses that occur during the cleaning process, where chaff and debris
are removed from the harvested grain.
- Causes:
- Inefficient fan speed settings.
- Incorrect adjustments of the cleaning sieves.
- High levels of dust or debris in the harvesting environment.

5. Unload Losses:
- Description: Losses that occur during the unloading of grain from the combine into
the transport vehicle or storage.
- Causes:
- Spillage during unloading.
- Overfilling of the transport vehicle leading to grain loss.
- Inefficient unloading mechanisms.

Measurement of Combine Losses

1. Visual Inspection:
- Farmers can visually assess fields after harvesting to estimate losses, looking for
fallen grain or unharvested patches.

2. Loss Monitors:
- Many modern combines are equipped with onboard sensors and monitors that can
measure losses in real-time. These monitors provide data on the amount of grain lost
during harvesting.
3. Weight Calculation:
- A more accurate method involves collecting samples of the crop material (e.g.,
chaff, straw) and weighing them to calculate losses based on the harvested area.

4. Field Trials:
- Conducting field trials to assess the amount of grain collected versus the amount
estimated from the total field yield can help quantify losses.

Causes of Combine Losses

- Operator Error: Inexperienced operators may mismanage settings and adjustments,

leading to higher losses.
- Machine Condition: Worn parts or improper maintenance can hinder the
performance of the combine.
- Crop Conditions: Wet, lodged, or unevenly matured crops can increase losses during
harvesting.
- Environmental Factors: Wind, dust, or other weather conditions can affect the
harvesting process and increase losses.

Strategies to Reduce Combine Losses

1. Regular Maintenance:
- Ensure that the combine is well-maintained, with all components functioning
correctly, including the header, threshing drum, and cleaning system.

2. Proper Adjustments:
- Make necessary adjustments based on crop conditions, including drum speed,
cylinder clearance, and sieve settings.

3. Operator Training:
- Invest in training for operators to enhance their understanding of machine settings
and effective harvesting practices.

4. Optimal Timing:
- Harvest crops at the right moisture levels to ensure efficient threshing and
minimize losses.

5. Field Management:
- Practice good field management techniques, such as proper crop rotation and
maintaining ideal growth conditions, to reduce lodging and improve uniformity.

6. Use of Loss Monitors:

- Utilize onboard loss monitors to provide real-time feedback, allowing operators to
adjust settings during harvesting.