What Is a Combine Harvester?
To begin, let’s define what is a combine harvester. Simply put, a combine harvester — often shortened to “combine” — is a large, self-propelled agricultural machine designed to harvest a variety of grain crops efficiently. The name “combine” comes from the machine’s ability to combine three essential harvesting operations into a single pass:
- Reaping (cutting) the crop,
- Threshing (separating) the grain from the stalks and husks,
- Winnowing (cleaning) the grain by removing chaff and debris.
Before the invention of the combine harvester, these tasks were performed separately using different tools and required significant manual labor. Harvesting a field could take weeks or even months. With the combine in agriculture, a single machine can now complete all these steps in one go, drastically reducing time, labor costs, and crop loss.
Today, combines are used worldwide to harvest staple crops such as wheat, corn (maize), soybeans, barley, oats, and rice. They are indispensable in large-scale commercial farming and play a vital role in global food production.
To operate a rice combine harvester working, we need to know its components and how each part is working, and when we need to turn it on and off. First of all, let’s get to know the names and uses of each part of the Wubota rice harvester.
The structure of the combine:
- Combine Harvester Reel
- Cutter
- Feeding auger
- Cutting platform
- Feeder house
- Thrust wheel
- Rubber track
- Threshing and separating unit
- Air filter
- Grain tank
- Canopy
- Radiator shroud
- Engine
- Operating station
- Divider
What Does A Combine Harvester Do?
As shown in figure 1, Divider (15) are the points on either side of the header which makes the header will not cut the grain and the crops are cut apart. The reel(1) is designed under the support of the cutter(2), including the ear part by feeding auger (3) to cut and feeder house joint, grilled by auger retracting tines to dial back again, finally by the feeder house (5) the slats scraping to the threshing rotor. Then let’s take a lot at the operation levers and buttons function picture.
- 1. Cutting platform lever
- 2. Threshing lever
- 3. Throttle lever
- 4. Stepless transmission lever
- 5. Gear shift lever
- 6. Combination switch (unloading lamp, header lamp, headlights, left/right turn lights, horn, dashboard light)
- 7. Engine stop control knob
- 8. Key switch
- 9. Instrument Panel (gauges, hour meter, warning lights)
- 10. Multi-function lever
- 11. Brake pedal lock
- 12. Brake pedal
- 13. Reel lifting lever
- 14. Unloading auger lever
How A Combine Harvester Works?
The basic operation of the Wubota rice harvester working operation:
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1. Engine Start.
Start the engine. Insert the key into the key switch (8) and turn to the location of the [on], honking to prompt. Then turn the switch key to the position of [start], Starting the engine. After starting, take your hands off the keys.
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2. Harvester Starting
Selected gear shift lever position, engine speed increased to 1500 rev/min or more. When on the ground, disengage the brake pedal lock (11), slowly pushed forward the stepless transmission lever (4), then the machine going forward. When pushing more, the faster machine forward. Back later, the stepless transmission lever (4) is pulled up to “S” shaped groove a bit, stop the machine forward, and pauses for 1-2 seconds later along the “S” shaped groove again after the pull, the more, the faster the machine back.
When On the slopes, slam the foot brake pedal (12), to disengage the brake pedal lock. (11), while the stepless transmission lever (4) is pushed forward, side release the brake pedal (12), the machine forward. Conversely, while the stepless transmission lever (4) backward slowly pulls, side-release the brake pedal (12), the machine back.
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3. Harvester Turning
Turn toward the direction of the hydraulic steering stem operation. Push the lever to A the harvester will turn left and push the lever to B the harvester will turn right.
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4. Harvester Parking
- Place the stepless transmission lever in the [stop] position.
- Pull the throttle lever back to the slow idle [tortoise] position.
- Place the shift gear lever in the [neutral] position and then hang up the parking brake.
- Lower cutting platform down to the ground.
- Shut down the engine, and pull out the switch key.
What Does A Combine Do?
Harvesting work operating skills
How to operate a harvester working in different types of fields? Let’s see the skills following.
1. Crop divider position adjustment
Harvesting lodged crops, in order to reduce harvesting losses, caused by harvest way, please make sure the crop’s lodging status, and adjust the position of the divider.
A . Semi-lodging state
When harvesting the semi lodging crops, sometimes at the right side of the cutting knife. At this point, please take the right side of the divider close to the side of the noncutting crops (not cut the crops side) to carry out the harvest. In this case, the harvesting speed should be reduced slightly.
<1> Divider
<2> Non cutting side crops
<3> Usual divider position
<4> Semi lodging crops
B. Harvesting the complete down crops
Please adjust the divider on the left to the position above the crops.
2. Adjust the harvester’s working speed
Confirm the crop and field condition, and choose the most suitable harvester working speed. Harvesting operations, for lodging angle large and high moisture crops, please reduce the harvester working speed. On the contrary, the small lodging angle and less water dry crops can accelerate the speed of harvesting. Harvesting lodging crops, please confirm the lodging condition, choose the correct direction of the harvesting.
<1> Reverse cutting <3> Harvesting lodging left direction
<2> Smooth cutting <4> Harvesting lodging right direction
<1> 45 degrees <A> Suitable for cutting. <2> 70 degrees below <B> Suitable for reverse cutting range <3> 85 degrees below <4> Complete down crops
Please refer to the following table and the operation of the stepless transmission lever through the switch of the shift gear lever.
<1>Wet condition of crops <A>Moisture (wet crop)
<2>Operating speed <B>Less water (dry crops)
<3> Shift gear lever position<C>Slow speed <D>Fast speed
<E>[ low speed ] <F>[standard] <4> Stepless transmission lever
<G>[ walking ] <I>[Forward]side <5>Crops lodging condition
<H>[ stop ]side <K>small <6>Lodging Angle
<J>big <M>Inverse cutting <7>Harvest direction and speed
<L>Standing crop <O>smooth cutting
<N>Lodging right harvesting, lodging left harvesting
How Much Are Combine Harvesters?
The price of a combine harvester, also referred to as the harvest combine price or combine harvester cost, can vary significantly based on several factors. These include the brand, model, size, and the specific features that come with the machine. Generally, a new combine harvester can range from $200,000 to over $500,000, depending on its capacity and the technology it incorporates. For instance, high-end models with advanced GPS guidance systems, larger grain tanks, and more powerful engines will naturally be at the higher end of the combine harvester price spectrum.
Used or refurbished machines, on the other hand, can offer a more budget-friendly option, often ranging from $50,000 to $200,000, but buyers should carefully consider the condition and maintenance history before making a purchase. Additionally, the cost of operation, including fuel, maintenance, and potential repairs, should also be factored into the overall combine harvester cost. It’s advisable to consult with agricultural equipment dealers or experts to find the best fit for your farming needs and budget.
Conclusion
The agriculture combine harvester has not only increased productivity but also enabled farmers to respond to growing global food demands sustainably. Whether you’re asking combine harvester how it works out of curiosity or professional interest, the answer reveals a marvel of modern technology—one that continues to evolve with each passing season.
As we look to the future, the combine in agriculture will undoubtedly play a central role in feeding the world. With smarter sensors, cleaner energy, and greater accessibility, the next generation of combines promises to make farming even more efficient, precise, and environmentally responsible.
Frequently Answer Questions
Q: When is the right time to harvest paddy using a harvester?
A: A sunny noon time after the paddy is mature to the golden yellow color, rice ears droop down.
Q: What should be the moisture content of paddy before using a harvester?
A: Usually the moisture content ranges from 20%-25%, depending on the variety and weather. It’s hard to thresh if the moisture is too high, and the broken rate will be high if the moisture is too low.
Q: What field preparation is needed before a paddy harvester comes in (leveling, bund removal, straw management)?
A: The first and most important preparation is to drain water by an irrigation ditch or a pump. Usually it should be done 1-2 weeks before the harvest. It’s better to make the field dry to a maximum of 2-3cm muddy depth. The second thing is clear: the field from stone, wood, branch, metal, hard solid, and other hard object. Then leveling the ridge about 3 meters so that the machine can go across. And cut the four-angle paddy so that the machine can easily turn around.
Q: Is it okay to harvest during early morning/dew/night?
A: It’s better not to do that. During harvest season, the temperature difference between day and night is too great, resulting in a lot of dew on the paddy. When they are fed into the harvester, the straw, paddy, and mud mix and stick together, causing poor performance and potentially breaking the combine harvester machine due to a feeding block. Meanwhile, the sight is not clear in the early morning or at night. It’s not good for field situation judgment.
