What is a Combine Harvester?
A combine harvester, also known as a combine or simply a harvester, is a farm machine that combines the tasks of harvesting grain and threshing it. The name derives from its two main functions: to cut (or “comb”) the crop and to gather (or “harvest”) it.
The most common type of combine harvester is the self-propelled version; however, there are also stationary combines which are used in large fields where transporting the harvested crop to an external facility would be impractical.
How Does the Combine Harvester Work?
The combine harvester has three main parts: a harvesting head, a threshing system, and a separating system. The harvesting head cuts the stalks of grain and funnels them into the threshing system. The threshing system removes the grain from the stalks by shaking or beating it out of them. The separating system then separates the grains from other plant materials like straw or chaff by blowing air through them or sifting them through screens. The machine cuts the grain stalks by spinning a circular blade called a rotor at high speed. The stalks are then blown into a rotating cylinder called the thresher which separates the straw from the grains. The straw is blown out of the back of the machine while the clean grains are discharged from an opening in front.
Different Uses for Combines in Agriculture
Combines are agricultural machines that harvest grain crops, such as wheat, maize, oats, or barley. They are used to cut and thresh the crop and then to gather the cut stalks into a coherent bundle.
Combines have been around since the 1920s. However, they were not widely used until the 1950s when they became more affordable and reliable. Today combines can be found on almost every farm.
Some of the most popular uses for combines in agriculture are:
- Harvesting wheat
- Harvesting barley
- Harvesting oats
- Harvesting soybeans
What are the Benefits of Using a Combine Harvester? [How has it changed farming?]
One of the most significant changes that it has brought about is the mechanisation of harvesting. Before its invention, grain had to be harvested by hand, which was very time-consuming and laborious. Nowadays, combine harvesting is done by large machines that are much more efficient than human labour would have been.
The benefits of using a combine harvester are:
- It saves time and labour
- It is able to harvest more crops than traditional methods
- The crop quality is better because it separates the seeds from the chaff
- Harvesting can be done year round
- The combine harvester can also be used for other purposes such as harvesting vegetables, rice and maize
The Future of Harvesting Farms and Farming Industry
Harvesting Farms and Farming Industry have been around for a long time. They have been an essential part of the food industry and have helped provide food to the masses. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning, it is possible that harvesting farms will be replaced by robots.
AI has made it possible for harvesting farms to be more efficient than ever before. With machines that can harvest at a faster rate than humans, this could lead to human harvesting farms being replaced by AI operated machines in the future.
Combine Harvester Parts are becoming increasingly important for the future of farming.