A combine harvester is an essential piece of agricultural machinery that has revolutionized the way farmers harvest their crops. Whether you are looking to upgrade your current agricultural equipment or make the jump to a new type of equipment altogether, you might be interested in combines for sale.
Combine harvesters (combines for short) are heavy-duty piece of farming equipment that combines multiple tasks into one process. Combines are the more complex types of farming machinery to understand and use, so in this blog, we will delve into the three main functions of a combine harvester, explore its various parts and their functions, and provide insights into how it operates.
In particular, we will look at the functions and main parts of combine harvesters, and where you might find a quality combine harvester for sale.
Understanding the Combine Harvester
Before we dive into the main functions, let’s first understand what a combine harvester is. A combine harvester is a large, self-propelled vehicle designed to harvest, thresh, and clean grain crops. It combines several operations that were traditionally performed by separate machines, hence the name “combine.” The combine harvester is used for a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, oats, corn, and rice.
To better visualize the components of a combine harvester, you can refer to a combine harvester diagram. These diagrams typically show the major parts and their arrangement, providing a clear understanding of how the machine is constructed. Additionally, you can find detailed information in a combine harvester parts and functions PDF, which often includes technical specifications and maintenance tips.
What are the Main Functions of a Combine Harvester?
One of the reasons combines are so useful is that they combine three main farming functions into one. These functions are reaping, threshing, and winnowing.
- Reaping is simply the act of cutting, gathering, or harvesting your crops.
- Threshing consists of separating seeds or grains from the plant itself.
- Winnowing is the process of separating quality grains from the chaff by a current of air.
1. Harvesting (Reaping)
The first and most fundamental function of a combine harvester is harvesting, also known as reaping. This process involves cutting the crop and gathering it into the machine. The header is the part of the combine harvester that performs this task. The header is attached to the front of the machine and can be customized based on the type of crop being harvested. For example, a rice combine harvester will have a different header design compared to one used for wheat.
- Header: The header is the primary component responsible for cutting the crop. It consists of a series of knives or sickles that slice through the stalks. The cut crop is then fed into the machine via a conveyor belt.
- Reel: The reel, located above the header, helps to push the crop towards the cutting mechanism. It ensures that the crop is evenly distributed and prevents it from falling to the ground.
- Auger: Once the crop is cut, it is conveyed to the center of the header by an auger. The auger is a spiral-shaped device that moves the crop into the thresher.
2. Threshing
The second main function of a combine harvester is threshing. This process involves separating the grain from the stalks and husks. The threshing cylinder is the key component responsible for this task. As the crop enters the thresher, the cylinder beats and rubs the material, causing the grain to separate from the rest of the plant.
- Threshing Cylinder: The threshing cylinder is a large, rotating drum with teeth or bars. As the crop passes through, the cylinder’s motion causes the grain to be dislodged from the stalks.
- Concave: The concave is a curved, perforated plate located beneath the threshing cylinder. It allows the grain to fall through while retaining the larger pieces of straw and chaff.
- Straw Walkers: After the grain is separated, the remaining material, such as straw and chaff, is moved to the straw walkers. These are a series of oscillating platforms that further separate the grain from the residue.
3. Cleaning and Sorting
The third main function of a combine harvester is cleaning and sorting. This process ensures that the grain is free from debris and other unwanted materials. The cleaning system is responsible for removing any remaining chaff, dust, and small particles from the grain.
- Sieves and Chaffers: The sieves and chaffers are a series of screens that allow the grain to pass through while retaining larger pieces of debris. The chaffer is the upper screen, and the sieve is the lower screen.
- Fan: A fan blows air through the sieves and chaffers, helping to remove lightweight debris such as chaff and dust. The air flow can be adjusted to ensure optimal cleaning.
- Grain Tank: The cleaned grain is collected in the grain tank. This tank can hold a significant amount of grain, allowing the combine harvester to operate for extended periods without needing to unload.
Separately and manually, these functions can be extremely time-consuming and laborious. Fortunately, you can cut down on the time and effort required to get through an entire field with a combine.
What are the Parts of a Combine Harvester?
There are generally about six to eight parts of a combine harvester that you care about as the consumer. Of course, like any piece of machinery, there are tons of small parts and pieces of hardware that make it work. However, for our purposes, let’s take a look at the main parts of a combine harvester and their functions.
- Header: The header is the front part of the combine that is responsible for moving the whole plant into the machine and cutting off the plant close to the ground.
- Spinning Augers and a Conveyor Belt: These pieces work in tandem to move the crop up from the head towards the center of the combine.
- Engine: The engine powers the entire machine, providing the necessary energy for all operations.
- Threshing Segment: This portion of the combine beats up and shakes the crops to separate the grains from the stalk.
- Grain Tank: Once the grains are separated, they travel into the grain tank, where they are stored. The chaff, stalk, and husks travel up conveyor belts to different locations.
- Elevator and Unloader: As the grain tank fills up, an elevator will carry it up to the unloader (a pipe leading out of the combine) where it will be transferred into a grain cart (essentially a tractor carrying all the grains)
- Straw Chopper: The rest of the remnants like the stalk and husks go through a straw chopper and are shot out of the back of the harvester.
As far as combine harvester parts that need maintenance, it is best to keep the combine relatively clean to allow for better inspection of rust or wear problems. In addition, make sure to check pieces of hardware such as chains, belts, blades, and more.
Similarly, be sure to do any and all required engine maintenance like changing the oil as needed or the fuel and air filters. For a more comprehensive list of how to take care of your combine, be sure to read the owner’s manual.
Find Your Next Combine with Wubota
When the time comes to invest in a combine harvester machine, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. That means not overpaying and being conscious of how to get the most value for your money. At Wubota, we can help you do just that in a couple of ways.
First and foremost, with our online marketplace, you can buy and sell a whole range of grain harvesting and other equipment for sale. We can also help you figure out exactly what your needs are and what equipment best suits you. With Wubota, you can be sure that you are getting quality machines with top-tier customer service. Head over to our site today!
