How To Operate a Combine Harvester

Combine harvesters or simply "combines" were invented in the 1830s by Hiran Moore to do three tasks that used to be completed by three different groups of people in three separate times. You can only imagine the amount of agricultural labor and cost input that is required to finish the three consecutive harvesting tasks manually. These processes are cutting, threshing and cleaning of the grain, in that particular order. It took a few more years since its invention for the combine to gain popularity in the international arena so that it has evolved more efficiently in its modern form. It has significantly improved the state of agriculture through ease of harvesting.

The combine harvester works fairly simply. To explain, we will explore its parts to know exactly how these seemingly complex processes go about inside the mechanism to better show you how to operate it. Below is a description of each process and how the combine harvester does its part.

1. Following the instructions in the manual, check proper functioning of facilities like grease, oil chains, battery life and engine, as well as fuel sufficiency. Make sure to work under ideal weather conditions.
2. Inspect the field contour and clear any obstacles in the way that might interfere with the operation or cause damage to the header front or cause you to fall from your seat.
3. Depending on which type of grain, the feeder or the header front, which gathers the grain, should be customized or changed according to use. It can be angled, made wider or more elevated for efficient use. Attach the appropriate header and proceed as soon as you have positioned yourself securely on your seat. Use the belt to prevent accidents.
   • Cutting - When the combine enters the field, the header acts as a sort of rotating reaper that cuts through as well as divides each crop and rolls them in at a 90-degree circular motion through a rotating reel leading into the combine's threshing cylinder. The reel exists to position the grains at the right angle where the stalks are to be slashed by the cutter bar. From the cutter bar it then passes through the conveyor and is fed into the threshing cylinder.
   • Threshing/Cleaning - Harvested grains are not readily edible so some of its parts need to be discarded because they are not fit for consumption. Impurities should be removed as well before processing in the mill is suitable. Inside the combine is a threshing drum that separates the seeds from their stalks by beating and shaking.
   • Transferring and Discarding - After that process, the collected grains are transferred into the tank or grain bag by passing through sieves. Simultaneously, the rest of the chaffs will be discarded through an exit hole in the combine that spreads forage back into the fields left to decompose or for birds and other animals to consume. The combine usually has a tractor moving beside it, which accommodates more grains at regular intervals when the main tank is filled.
4. Observe safety by proper machinery maintenance. Do not leave the header front dirty and use it for harvesting non-grain crops. Amazing as this machinery may be, the combine harvester has limited use for harvesting grains such as wheat, rye, barley and it is not to be used for harvesting crops like potatoes, corn or carrots. The training manual contains hazard management and ways to clean your combine.