Central Luzon State University

College of Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120

AM 780 – AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION AND

MACHINERY MANAGEMENT

Combine and Reapers

Submitted by:
LARRY S. OLIPAS
MSAEn Student

Submitted to:
ROMEO B. GAVINO, Ph.D.
Professor VI

March 2020
 AM 780 – AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION AND
MACHINERY MANAGEMENT

Harvesters and Reapers

Introduction
Combine Harvesters or Paddy harvester is mainly used for harvesting rice grain and wheat
grain, integrating the function of paddy cutting, threshing and seeds cleaning. Combine paddy
harvester is especially suitable for both dry and wet paddy field in plain, mountainous and hilly
areas. With great adaptability, high security, top performance and high efficiency, this rice
combine harvester wins a leading position in international rice harvesting machinery.
Self-propelled Rice at Harvester Features 1. Hydraulic force-controlled header and double
cutting blades. 2. Optimized design of threshing and cleaning device which adopts double vibrating
screen ensuring clean seeds collecting. 3. Brand motor engine with strong power and reliable
performance. 4. Flexible gearbox ensures a convenient swerve. 5. Wide crawler, strong crawling
ability in muddy rice farmland.
The machine mainly includes the Cutting platform (header), Middle transportation device,
Threshing and cleaning device, Chassis, hydraulic and electric control systems and Motor. 1. The
Cutting platform (header). It is to accomplish guidance of crops to be cut, then cutting the crops,
immediately transported them to the side continuously, and through flexible allocation of
transmission that continuously sent crops to the Middle transportation device. 2. The Middle
transportation device is hand-over equipment that connects the Cutting platform (header) and the
Threshing and cleaning device of Combine harvester. Its function is to send the crops which come
from the Cutting platform to the Threshing and cleaning machine, in continuous work process. 3.
The Threshing and cleaning device is to achieve separation of grain and stalk, reduce the impurity
in maximum. 4. The Hydraulic and electric control systems control starting, lighting and cutting
platform lift of harvester. 5. The Engine is the heart of combine harvester, providing engine power
for driving and harvesting operations.
And Reapers are farm implement that reaps crops at harvest, when they are ripe, most also
gather it, either by windrowing it or picking it up. And this consist of a cutter bar, crop row divider
called reel and conveyor belt, star wheel etc. The reel directs the crop towards cutter bar where it
is cut. The star wheel lifts the cut crops up and turn it at 90 degree.
Objectives
This exercise has familiarized the students to the different crop protection machinery with
focus to the frame mounted power sprayer crop protection equipment presented in this paper in
comprehensive description discussing the machinery’s:
1. general function and adaptability
2. operation and adjustments
3. major parts and specification
4. current market prices
5. method of testing

Methodology
The students visited the PhilMech, PhilSCAT and PhilRice and have identified different
harvesting and threshing machinery. The student then drafted its written report with the help of
reading materials and brochures given by the aforementioned agencies.
Several specifications were gathered from the Philippine Agricultural Engineering
Standards (PAES) Book, to then verify the machine’s conformation with the prevailing standards
established in the country and latter from the internet for further understanding and information
depth about the subject machine/equipment in focus.
The Student has also visited Go Traktora Traiding Inc. located at Brgy. Caanawan (the
closest agricultural machinery dealer at CLSU) to survey the current market price of the subject
machine/equipment.
COMBINE
It is a machine designed for harvesting, threshing, separating, cleaning and collecting
grains while moving through standing crops. Bagging arrangement may be provided with a pick
up attachment. The main functions of a combine are:
1. Cutting the standing crops
2. Feeding the cut crops to threshing unit
3. Threshing the crops
4. Cleaning the grains from straw
5. Collecting the grains in a container.

Type of Combine Harvesters

Source of Power Means of Movement

1. Self-propelled 1. Wheel type
2. PTO-Operated/Mount Type 2. Crawler type

The whole machine is composed of the following components:

1. Header 7. Threshing drum
2. Reel 8. Concave unit
3. Cutter bar 9. Fan
4. Elevator canvas 10. Chauffer sieve
5. Feeder canvas 11. Grain sieve
6. Feeding drum 12. Grain auger
 13. Tailing auger 17. Shaker
14. Tail board 18. Grain elevator
15. Straw spreader 19. Grain container
16. Return conveyor

Working Principle

Feeding the
standing Feeding the
Separating Conveying
crop to the Cutting the crop to Threshing Cleaning
cutter bar
the husk and storing
crop threshing the crop the grains
with the help from grains the grain
unit
of reel

1. Standing crop 6. Sieves

2. Reel 7. Straw walkers
3. Cutter bar 8. Unloader
4. Conveyor 9. Straw spreader
5. Threshing drum
 COMPONENTS OF COMBINE AND CROP FLOW IN A COMBINE HARVESTER

Working Principle
Most Combine harvesters consist of several major components: the cutting section, the
thresher, components for separating the straw, a cleaner and a grain collection system. The cutting
section usually consists of straw lifters for lifting especially lodged crop, a cutter bar for cutting
the straw above the ground, a reel for feeding the cut crop into the conveying system and conveyors
for transporting the crop to the threshing components. The thresher consists of one or more
threshing cylinders and a concave. The threshing unit can be conventional but, in most cases, rice
combines have axial-flow drums, which are better in handling wet straw and do not require straw
walkers for separating the straw. A conventional combine has a set of straw walkers for separation
of the grain from the straw because the crop passes the concave very quickly and a lot of threshed
grains are therefore still contained in the straw. On the straw walkers the remaining grains are
separated from the straw by gravity. All combines contain a cleaner in which chaff, immature
grains and small straw particles are separated from the grains. The cleaner consists of a blower and
several oscillating sieves. For grain collection the combine either has a grain tank or is equipped
with a grain bagging station. For transporting the grain and other fractions inside the combine and
for unloading the grain tank there are several conveyors, which can be bucket elevators or screw
conveyors. Generally, only larger farms or stations will own a combine harvester, and smaller
farms avail of the services of contractors. Successful use of combine harvester requires well-
drained, leveled fields with a layout that minimizes the number of turns required in the field. Fuel
consumption of a combine harvester is between 20-30 l diesel/ha.
Standing Crop
• Crops are gathered in by the header at the front, which has a pair of sharp pincers called
crop dividers at either end.
• The wider the header, the faster and more efficiently a harvester can cut a field.
• Different headers are used for cutting different crops
• The header is often hydraulically powered and can be raised, lowered, and angled in
different ways from the cab.
Reel/Pickup Reel
• This is the first part to touch the standing grain, it holds the grain against the knife.
• It is a slowly rotating wheel pushes the crops down toward the cutter.
• The reel has horizontal bars called bats and vertical teeth or tines to grip the plant stalks.

Cutter Bar
• Cutter bar runs the entire length of the header underneath the reel.
• Its teeth (sometimes called mowing fingers) open and close repeatedly to cut off the crops
at their base along a ground level.

Conveyor
• Behind the cutter bar, the cut crops are fed toward the centre by spinning augurs (screws)
and travel up a conveyor to the processing mechanism inside the main part of the combine.
• It simply does the lifting mechanism of the chaffed plant towards the threshing unit.
Threshing Unit
• A threshing drum beats the cut crops to break and shake the grains away from their
stalks.
• Threshing removes the grain or seed from the head or pod.

Sieves
• The crop or threshed material is made to pass through the sieve or separator chamber
below to this seed collector or storage is present.
• The sieves plates keep on shaking so does a seed to separate and fall down through
sieves.
• The grains fall through sieves into a collecting tank below.
Straw Walkers
• The straw (unwanted material) passes along conveyors called straw walkers toward the
back of the machine.
• In some machines the straw is passed through the chaffer machine to cut the inedible part
into smaller pieces.
• Then passed to the chaffer extension or straw spreader.

Unloader
• When the grain tank is full, a tractor with a trailer on the back pulls alongside the combine.
• The grain is carried up from the tank by an elevator and shoots out of a side pipe (sometimes
called the unloader) into the trailer.
• The unloader pipe height can be adjusted.
Straw Spreader
• The unwanted straw chaff tumbles from the back of the machine. Some combines have a
rotating spreader mechanism that throws the straw over a wide area.
• Sometimes the straw is baled up by a baling machine and used for animal bedding.

Before Operating Combine Harvester

Before operating the combine harvester in field, we should check the followings in the field:
• Field condition
• Crop condition
• Moisture content
• Height of cutting

Ideal Requirements of a Perfect Combine Harvester

1. Less broken grains
2. No grain loss on the ground at the cutter bar end
3. No grain losses at the back end of the harvesting unit
4. No un-thrashed grain
5. Should give clean grains
6. Machine should be capable of operation on crop even with higher moisture content
7. Machine should be capable of working on various crops
8. Easy to operate
9. Easy to maintain
10. Should consume less fuel
Tips for good combine harvesting
Cutting height during combine harvesting is often higher than with other harvesting
methods. The time interval for harvest by combine harvester is often narrow: too early harvesting
will result in a high percentage of chalky kernels, and too late harvesting will result in high
shattering losses.
Operating speed of the threshing drum either too fast or too slow reduces profit. The
optimum threshing drum speed depends on grain moisture content, volume of material entering
the combine, weeds, etc. Fine tuning forward speed and header height is especially important to
minimize field loss.
 POPULAR AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Paddy Combine Harvester

KUBOTA Combine Harvesters DC 70PH Plus DC 35 DC 60

Length 4800 mm 4120 mm 4800 mm

Width 2245 mm 1850 mm 2175 mm
Dimension

Height 2800 mm 2150 mm 2800 mm

Weight 3000 kg 1550 kg 2450 kg
Mn. Ground Clearance 325 mm 300 mm 255 mm
Horse Power 70 Hp 33 Hp 60 Hp
V2403-M-DI-
Engine

Model D1105-T-E2-C-1 V2403DI-T

TE-CS4T
Displacement 2.434L 2.45L
Travelling System

Hydrostatic
Transmission HST (27cc/rev) V24030DI-T
Variable Speed
(HST)

Clutch and Break Clutch and Break

Clutch and Break
Turning System
1 Lever 1 Lever 1 Lever

Price PHP 1.6 M PHP 800,000 PHP 1.4 M

Sugarcane Combine Harvester

SHAKTIMAN SUGARCANE HARVESTER - SHAKIMAN 3737

Number of
Make Cummins 11
Roller
Number of
Feed Rollers

Series B 5.9 Rollers on the 8

Roller Train
Hydraulic &
Engine

Power 173 Hp Drive

Reversible
Cylinder Volume 5.9 Liters Upper Rollers Floating
Number of Number of
Chopper

6 3
Cylinder knives per drum
Turbo/After
Aspiration Deflector Plates Adjustable
Cooler
Sugarcane
Name Height Adjustable
Knock
Model

Roller
Down

Harvester
Number S 3737 Angle Degree 50o
Number of
Extractor
Capacity

Fuel tank 208 Liters 3

Blades
Hydraulic Oil Tank 130 Liters Hood Directional
10.5 / 65-16, 14 Hydraulic &
Front Drive
Tyres

PR Reversible
Elevator

Rear 16.9 X 28, 12 PR Turning Angle 168o

Height
Toppe

1050-2800 /
Variation(mm / Weight 8300kg
r

41.3-110.2
inch)
 Transmission
Height Adjustment Hydraulic Type Hydrostatic

Distance Between 1100 mm / 43.3 Variable up to

Travel Speed
the Tips inch 15 km/hr
Crop Divider

Spiral Angle
30o -32o
Degree
Height Adjustment Hydraulic
Lower Section Hardened Shoe
Price = PHP 14,000,000.00
Sugarcane Combine Harvester

John Deere CH570 John Deere 3520W

Specification
Sugar Cane Harvester Wheel Sugar Cane Harvester
RPM 2100 2100
337 Hp 337 Hp
Power
342 CV 342 CV
Model 6090HT 6090HT
Fuel Diesel Diesel
Family AJDXL09.0102 AJDXL09.0102
Available Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 to meet destination country
Emission
regulations
Cylinder 6 (inline), wet sleeves 6 (inline), wet sleeves
9L 9L
Displacement
Engine 548 cu in 548 cu in
Injection pump Electronically controlled Electronically controlled
Variable (Fixed where available)
Turbocharger with air-to-air geometry turbocharger with air-
Aspiration
after cooling to-air after cooling and exhaust
gas recirculation
Low Idle 850 rpm Low Idle 850 rpm
Manually Adjustable from Field cruise
Engine Speed 1900 to 2200 rpm 2000 rpm
Full throttle
Full throttle 2210 rpm
2210 rpm
Wheel 0 to 24.6* km/h 0 to 24.6* km/h
Travel Speed
Machine 0 to 15.3* mph 0 to 15.3* mph
Michelin 360/70R17.5 AT 14X17.5 - 10 PR Skidder
Standard Tires Front
(Radial) (Firestone)
 GPX 23.5 by 25 (20-ply)
23.5X25 - 20 PR Industrial with
Rear industrial tire with
Ag Lug Giant Hippo (Galaxy)
agricultural lug
Michelin 360/70R17.5 AT 14X17.5 - 14 PR Skidder
Front
(Radial) (Firestone)
Optional Tires
Michelin 23.5R25 XTLA 23.5X25 - XTLA (Michelin) One
Rear
(Radial) Star Load Rating = 28 PR
2.08 m 2.08m
Front
82 in 82 in
Tread width
1.88 m 1.88 m
Rear
74 in 74 in
Multiple wet disc Multiple wet disc, spring applied
Brakes
spring applied hydraulic released hydraulic released
Amperage 200 Amps 200 Amps
Alternator
Voltage 12 V 12 V
Automatically controlled
Cooling Automatically controlled
hydraulically driven reversing
System hydraulically driven reversing cooling fan
cooling fan
Fuel Capacity Liters 605L 568L
5.2 m || 17 ft
Topper Reach Max Hydraulic, reversible drive
Hydraulic, reversible drive

Pump common with

Pump common with chopper,
Standard chopper, hydrostatic,
hydrostatic, reversible
reversible
Chopper
Drum centre 38.1 cm 38.1 cm
distance 15 in. 15 in.
9.5 cm 9.5 cm
Blade width
3.74 in 3.74 in
Float Control Optional automatic float control

Disc Diameter Hard Surfacing 61 cm || 24 in 61 cm || 24 in

Blade
8 blade (4 per drum), differential 8 blade (4 per drum), differential
Configuration
Fan Diameter 1.5 m || 5 ft 1.5 m || 5 ft
Swing angle 170 o 170 o
Elevator 305 mm 305 mm
Extension
610 mm
Weight 17500 KGS 16400 KGS

PRICE PHP 22,000,000.00 PHP 20,000,000.00

Maize Combine Harvester

Kartar 4000 Maize Combine Harvester

Ashok Leyland H6
(H-Series)
Engine Cutter height max. 900 mm
101 Hp @2200
RPM Cutter Bar
Cylinder 6 Row 07/05
No of Rasp
8 Spacing from Row 460- 610 mm
Bars
No. of Straw Diameter
5 600 mm
Walkers
Cleaning Area 26962 sq. cm. Length 1260 mm
Fuel Tank 380 lts. Thresher Speed of Drum 535 to 1210 rpm
drum
Grain Tank 2.10 m3 Adjustment Mechanically
Min. Ground
460 mm No. of Rasp Bars 8
Clearance
9500 kgs. Straw No. of Straw Walkers 5
Width Walkers Total Area 46,565 sq. cm.
Cutting Height
Type Pick up
Max.
Weight Reel
3650/ 3695 Speed Adjustment Mechanically
Cutter Bar Height Adjustment Height Adjustment Hydraulically
Hydraulically Clearance between 16 to 39 mm
Cutting Height Min. Concave & Thresher 3 to 16 mm
Concave
Drum at Intel at Cutlet
200 mm Mechanically
Adjustment
Length 35 lts. Area 26962 sq. cm.
Cleaning
Width 8000 mm Adjustment Mechanically
Ground
4520 mm Fuel Tank 380 lts.
Clearance
460 mm Capacity Grain Tank 2.10 m3
Hyd. Oil Tank
Price = PHP 1,800,000.00
 SPECIFICATION AND METHOD OF TEST IN ACCORDANCE TO
PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING STANDARDS
FOR RICE COMBINE HARVESTER

Performance Requirements
Criteria Performance Data
Field efficiency (%), minimum 75
Header loss (%), maximum 0.5
Separation loss, (%), maximum 1.3
Blower loss, (%), maximum 1.2
Unthreshed loss, (%), maximum 0.2
Scattering loss, (%), maximum 0.3
Total machine loss (%), maximum 3.5
Purity (%), minimum
a. with sifter and fan 97
b. without sifter and fan 95
c. c. without cleaning devices 80
Mechanically damaged grain (%), 2.0
maximum
Net cracked grain (%), maximum 5.0
Noise level, db(A), maximum 95.0*

• Allowable noise level for four (4) hours of continuous exposure based on
Occupational Safety and Health Standards, Ministry of Labor, Philippines. 1983.

Design Requirements

• Cutting unit
o Cutting unit should be composed of reel or pick-up tines, dividers and cutter
bar.
o The reel shall be adjustable horizontally and vertically to suit different crop
conditions such as height and density. The recommended reel speed should be
25 % to 50 % faster than the ground speed.
 o Dividers shall be able to separate the standing grain crop along the side of the
machine and shall be able to assist in picking up partially lodged or entangled
crop, gathering and guiding them to the cutting unit.
o Cutter bar shall be adjustable to fit various height of cut.

• Feeding unit
o Feeding unit should be composed of feeder or conveyor and front beater or
feed chain.

• Threshing unit
o Threshing unit should be composed of threshing drum, concaves, open grates
and beaters or stripper drum.
o Peripheral speed of the threshing drum is 20 m/s to 30 m/s.
o Concaves should be adjustable at the front and rear to change the clearance
between the concave and the cylinder.

• Separating unit
o Separating unit shall be provided with deflectors, rotary beaters or retarders to
regulate the movement of the straw and to deflect flying grains.

• Cleaning unit
o Cleaning operation should be either mechanical (i.e. screening out larger
particles with the chaffer and sieves) or aerodynamics (i.e. blowing out the
lighter particles with an air blast) or combination of both.
o Cleaning unit should consist of grain pan, chaffer with adjustable openings,
tailing auger, shoe sieve with adjustable position and inclination, and fan. Fan
speed should be adjustable.

• Straw handling unit

o Straw handling unit should be composed of either straw spreader or chopper
spreader or binder or plain straw ejector.
 • Grain handling unit
o Grain handling unit should be composed of grain auger, grain elevator and grain
collector. Grain collector can either be grain tank or grain bag.
o If grain tank is used, it shall be designed to minimize the bridging of grains.
Steps and handrails outside the grain tank shall be provided.
o If grain bag is used, two-spout grain bag attachment and a platform or bagger’s
seat shall be provided.

• Traction aid
o Traction aid should be pneumatic tires, halftracks or full crawler ground drive.

General Conditions for Test and Inspection

• Role of requesting party

o The requesting party shall submit to the official testing agency specifications and
other relevant information on the rice combine harvester. They shall abide by the
terms and conditions set forth by the official testing agency.

• Role of manufacturer
o An officially designated representative of the manufacturer shall operate, adjust,
repair, and shall decide on matters related to the operation of the machine.

• Test instruments
o The instruments to be used shall have been calibrated and checked by the testing
agency prior to the measurements. The suggested list of minimum field and
laboratory test equipment and materials needed to carry out the rice combine
harvester test is detailed in Annex A of PAES 225:2015.

• Running-in and preliminary adjustment

o Before the start of the test, the rice combine harvester should have undergone
running-in period wherein various adjustments of the rice combine harvester shall
 be made according to be made according to the recommendation of the
manufacturer. (No other adjustments shall be permitted while the test is on-going).

• Suspension of test
o If during the test, the machine malfunctions or stops due to major component
breakdown which is not repairable, the test shall be suspended.

Field performance test

Method of Test Standard
Size of the 1000 m2 - ride-on and attachment type rice combine harvester
Conditions
(At least Three
test trials)

Area per Trial 500 m2 - walk-behind type rice combine harvester

Test

Plot Shape
2:1 (Rectangular)
Travelling

Outside the longer side of the test plot, two poles 20 m apart (A, B)
are placed approximately in the middle of the test plot (Figure
below). On the opposite side, two poles are also placed in similar
position, 20 m apart (C, D) so that all four poles form corners of a
rectangle, parallel to at least one long side of the test plot.

The speed will be calculated from the time required for the machine
Field Capacity Determination

to travel the distance (20 m) between the assumed line connecting

two poles on opposite sides AC and BD.
The reference point (e.g. rice combine harvester’s cutting
mechanism) of the machine should be selected for measuring the
Operating time.
Speed
 Noise level Measure approximately 5 cm away from the ear level of the
measurement operator using a noise level meter

Before the start of each test trial, the fuel tank shall be filled to a
certain marked level. After each test trial; the tank shall be refilled
Fuel using a graduated cylinder. The amount refilled is the fuel
consumption consumption for the test.

**Keep the machine in a level position when refilling

Total operating time shall be measured once the machine starts to

harvest up to the time it harvests the last stalk.
Total
1. Time losses for adjustment,
operating
2. Turning; and
time
3. Machinery breakdown

shall be deducted from the total operating time.

Select three 1 m x 1 m area within the test plot and manually

harvest the panicles.
Potential
yield Harvested panicles in each area shall be collected, labelled and
taken to the laboratory for analysis.

Before the test run, five 1 m x 1 m area shall be taken randomly

within the test plot and the grains detached from the panicle within
the area shall be collected, weighed and recorded as pre-harvest
loss.
Header loss
After the test run, using the same area, loose grains on the ground,
grains from cut panicles but fallen on the ground, and grains from
uncut panicles fallen on the ground after harvesting, shall be
collected, labeled and taken to the laboratory.
Operation Pattern

Circuitous Patterns Continuous Patterns

The efficiency and capacity of combines for harvesting were defined by the area of the
paddy field, type of machinery, and work pattern, circuitous or continuous. With field area < 0.4
ha, the circuitous method was better. With work area 0.4 – 0.5 ha, either pattern could be adopted.
The continuous pattern was best for large areas.

Operating capacity and purchase price were the major determining factors in operating
cost. For long-term development, larger combines are more economical.
REAPER
Rice harvest is usually done manually. This is time consuming often resulting in major
delays and important post-harvest losses. Such losses can be direct quantitative losses or indirect
losses because of decrease in milling recovery and increase in broken grains.
A rice reaper harvester is a machine to cut down rice panicles at harvest. The cut panicles
are laid down by the machine for collection. There are different models. Reapers can be attached
to a power tiller or can be standalone machines, with the reaper harvester, rice grains can be
harvested faster and on time. The grain quality is therefore preserved. The machine is light and
flexible and be easily manipulated under wet and dry conditions. The rice reaper harvester has a
capacity of 0.4ha/h. It is an investment of high costs. Operators require training on proper use and
maintenance of the machine before and after use. Security in the field when operating should be
observed to avoid any serious accidents. (Rice Scalable Technologies).

Mechanical Cutting
Mechanical cutting uses reapers (machine that cuts and gathers). Reapers are either hand-
driven or mounted on the front of a tractor. While the use of reapers has not been widespread, it is
gaining popularity where labor shortages have occurred.
Most reapers lay the crop in a windrow, which allows easy pick-up of the harvested crop.
A reaper with a cutting-width of 1.5 m can operate at a rate of 2−4 ha per day.
To efficiently use reapers, fields need to be leveled and water drained at least 10−20 days
before harvest. (IRRI | Rice Knowledge Bank)
Usually the crop involved is a cereal grass. All mechanical reapers cut the grass; most also
gather it, either by windrowing it or picking it up. (Mohan, 2016).
Types of Reaper
According to design
o Self- Propelled Vertical Conveyor Reaper
It consists of crop row divider, star wheel, cutter bar, and a pair of lugged canvas conveyor
belts and a handle fitted with clutch and brakes.
This type of machines cut the crops and conveys it vertically to one end and windrows the
crops on the ground uniformly. Collection of crops for making bundles is easy and it is done
manually.
Self-propelled walking type, self-propelled riding type and tractor mounted type vertical
conveyor reaper are also available.
These types of reapers are suitable for crops like wheat and rice. In this reaper there is no
shattering of the crop.

o Tractor Mounted Vertical Conveyor Reaper

The machine consists of a 76 mm pitch reciprocating cutter bar assembly, seven crop row
dividers, two vertical conveyor belts fitted with lugs, pressures springs, pulleys and gearbox for
the power transmission system.
The crop row dividers are fitted in front of the cutter bar assembly and the star wheels are
mounted over the crop row dividers.
The machine is mounted in front of the tractor and the power to the machine is given from
tractor PTO with the help of intermediate shaft running beneath the chassis of the tractor and a
coupling shaft.
 Height of the machine above ground is controlled by tractor hydraulic with the help of pulleys
and steel ropes.
After the crop is cut by the cutter bar, it is held in a vertical position and delivered to one side
of the machine by lugged belt conveyors and fall on the ground in the form of a windrow
perpendicular to the direction of movement of machine.

Specification
Sardar Reaper (Multi-crop Reaper 841)
Suitability Wheat & Paddy
Overall Dimensions 2380 x 990 x 560
Weight (kg) 180
Working Width (mm) 2200
Capacity (ha/h) 0.3 – 0.4
Power Requirement (hp/kW)
25/17.5
Tractor

o Self-Propelled Riding Type Vertical Conveyor Reaper

The riding type vertical conveyor reaper is a self-propelled unit in which the operator rides
on the machine.
Drive is given by means of two large pneumatic wheels and steering is by rear idlers. The
prime mover is a 6 hp/4.5 kW diesel engine.
Convenient clutch, break, steering, hydraulic system and simple power transmission are
provided for ease of operation. It consists of crop row divider, star wheel, cutter bar (76.2 mm),
conveyor belt and wire spring etc. This reaper has two forward and one reverse speed.
Specification
Self-Propelled Riding Type Vertical Conveyor Reaper
Wheat, Paddy, Soybean and other cereals and
Suitability
oilseed crops
Overall dimension (mm) 3185 x 1900 x 1450
Weight (kg) 1530
Operating Speed (km/h) 3 -3.5
Total grain loss (%) 5–6
Field capacity (ha/hr) 0.25 – 0.30
Fuel Consumption (l) 0.90 – 1.15
Field efficiency (%) 60 – 70
Labour requirement (man-h/ha) 5–6
Power requirement (hp/kW) 6/45, engine tractor

o Self-Propelled-Reaper Binder
It consists of a frame, cutter bar, handles fitted with clutch and brakes, seat for the driver,
two drive wheels, one wheel below the seat for steering, crop gathering unit and twine. The cutting
unit of this type of reapers may be disc type or cutter bar type.
After cutting, the crop is conveyed vertically to the binding mechanism where it is tied by
the twine and released to the ground in the form of bundles. Self-propelled walking type models
are available but these are not popular due to high cost of twine. Reaper binders are suitable for
rice and wheat.
 Kubota Reaper Binder 1 row to 2 rows
Wheat, Paddy, Soybean and other cereals and
Suitability
oilseed crops
Overall dimension (mm) 3185 x 1900 x 1450
Weight (kg) 1530
Operating Speed (km/h) 3 -3.5
Total grain loss (%) 5–6
Field capacity (ha/hr) 0.25 – 0.30
Fuel Consumption (l) 1
Field efficiency (%) 30/hr
Labour requirement (man-h/ha) 5–6
Power requirement (hp) 3.5 – 7

Working Principle

When machine is push by the operator at the designed speed in the field, rear wheel rotation
leads to reciprocate cutter bar with the help of sprocket and chain. The crop lifter guides the crop
to the cutter bar and the crop is cut by the cutter. The cut crop is conveyed with the help of star
wheel at one side by the lugged belt conveyer for easy collection and bundling.
• Mostly the reaper is mounted on front, rear but side
• as well as mid side of tractors or hand tractors.
• The tractor front mounted machine s having cutter bar length of 1.9-2.1 meter are operated
at the forward speed of about 3 km/hr.
 • The cut crops are carried along by belts to the entire width of machine before being placed
on the ground with reaper winder or without winder.
• The reaper has the hydraulic lifting and lowering mechanism of cutter bar as cutting height
adjustment of crops.
• Reaper is generally used to cut plant leaving crop stubble to a height of about 8 cm on
ground.

Most commonly used reaper in the Philippines

o Self-propelled vertical conveyor reaper

PADDY RICE REAPER HARVESTER

SPECIFICATION REAPER TR-120
ENGINE TYPE 4-Cycle, Air-Cooled
ENGINE FUEL Gasoline
NET WEIGHT (KG) 116
WORKING CAPACITY
3-4 (1. 2-1. 6)
HR/HA(HR/ACRE)
OVERALL LENGTH (MM) 2390
OVERALL WIDTH (MM) 1470
HEIGHT (UP TO HANDLE) (MM) 900
CUTTING WIDTH (CM) 120
PRICE PHP 80,000.00 - 170,000.00
 SPECIFICATION AND METHOD OF TEST IN ACCORDANCE TO
PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING STANDARDS
FOR RICE REAPERS

Classification

• Cutting mechanism
o Rotary knife
o Reciprocating cutter knife
• Transmission system
o Belt drive
o Gear drive

Typical design of rice reaper

Cutting Mechanism - Rotary knife

 Cutting Mechanism – Reciprocating cutter knife

Materials of Construction
Steel bars and metal sheet shall be generally used for the manufacture of the different
components of the reaper.
Star wheels shall be made of materials that can withstand sudden loading caused by
conveyor belt lugs.
Cutting elements should be made of either AISI 1080 to AISI 1085 or its ISO equivalent.
The serrated portion of the cutting elements should be case hardened at RC 46 to RC 52 (see Figure
2). The non-hardened portion of the cutting section shall have hardness within the range of RC 25
to RC 27.
Performance Requirements
Criteria Performance Data
Field efficiency (%), minimum 65
Header loss (%), maximum 0.1
Conveying loss, (%), maximum 1.0
Total machine loss (%), maximum 1.5
Noise level, db(A), maximum 92.0*

• Allowable noise level for six (6) hours of continuous exposure based on Occupational
Safety and Health Standards, Ministry of Labor, Philippines. 1983.
• Sealed type bearings should be used as protection against dust. There shall be provision
for lubrication of non-sealed type bearings and bushings.
• Belt cover or guard and provisions for belt tightening and adjustments shall be provided.

Field Performance test

Method of Test Standard
test replications)

Size of the
Conditions
(At least Three

not less than 750 m2

Area per Trial
Test

Plot Shape
2:1 (Rectangular)
Travelling
Outside the long boundary of the test plot, two poles 20 m apart
(A, B) are placed approximately in the middle of the test run (see
Figure 3). On the opposite side also two poles are placed in similar
position, 20 m apart (C, D) so that all four poles form corners of a
Field Capacity Determination

rectangle, parallel to at least one long side of the test plot. The
speed will be calculated from the time required for the machine to
travel the distance (20 m) between the assumed line connecting
two poles on opposite sides AC and BD. The easily visible point
Operating of the machine should be selected for measuring the time.
Speed
 Noise level Measure approximately 5 cm away from the ear level of the
measurement operator using a noise level meter

Before the start of each test trial, the fuel tank shall be filled to a
certain marked level. After each test trial; the tank shall be refilled
Fuel using a graduated cylinder. The amount refilled is the fuel
consumption consumption for the test.

**Keep the machine in a level position when refilling

Total operating time shall be measured once the machine starts

to harvest up to the time it harvests the last stalk.

Total operating 1. Time losses for adjustment,

time 2. Turning; and
3. Machinery breakdown

shall be deducted from the total operating time.

Select three 1 m x 1 m area within the test plot and manually

harvest the panicles.
Potential yield
Harvested panicles in each area shall be collected, labelled and
taken to the laboratory for analysis.

Before the test run, five 1 m x 1 m area shall be taken randomly

within the test plot and the grains detached from the panicle
within the area shall be collected, weighed and recorded as pre-
harvest loss.
Header loss
After the test run, using the same area, loose grains on the
ground, grains from cut panicles but fallen on the ground, and
grains from uncut panicles fallen on the ground after harvesting,
shall be collected, labeled and taken to the laboratory.
A canvass shall be spread for a length of 2 m on a place where
cut stalks are expected to fall. Detached grains from the panicle
shall be collected, labeled and taken to the laboratory. Five sets
Conveying loss of samples shall be taken.

The items to be inspected and measured shall be recorded in

Annex C PAES 213:2004
Operational pattern

The corners of the field should be manually harvested with the dimension of 3 m x 3m to provide
turning space for the machine

Formulas to be used in calculations and testing

Actual field capacity

Theoretical field capacity

Field efficiency
Header Loss

Conveying loss

Total machine loss

Conclusion

Harvesting of field crops is one of the most labor consuming operation of all the overall
activities of farming. Harvesting of almost all crops are being done using a most popular hand
tools like common sickles, and serrated sickles, which takes about 170 – 200 man-hours to harvest
a 1 ha of paddy crop (Er.Uttam Raj Timilsina, 2015) and at most often times due to high labor
demand at the time of harvesting when harvest season arrives. The entire harvesting operation
continues for weeks, resulting to grain losses to the extent of 5-15% (IRRI | Knowledge Bank,
2013) due to over drying of crop in the field. Hence, the used of these harvesting machineries such
as reapers, mowers and combines initiated a wide leap in mechanization in the country and has
made harvesting feasible and efficient. Reapers are type of machines cut the crops and conveys it
vertically to one end and windrows the crops on the ground uniformly and then collection of crops
for making bundles is easier and is done manually while combines includes harvesting/cutting
standing crops, threshing, separating, cleaning and collecting grains in bags while moving through
standing crops. The process was made even mechanized which makes more timely operations.
REFERENCES
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March 8, 2020, from https://www.slideshare.net/agriyouthnepal/harvesting-machines
IRRI | Knowledge Bank. (2013). Harvesting. Retrieved March 8, 2020, from
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ricehub.org/RT/harvest/reaper-harvester-/