A study of different harvesting methods for sunflower [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Field experiments were carried out during seasons 2003 and 2004 at Nubaria region for harvesting sunflower (Euro-flower) in calcareous soil. Two mechanical harvesting methods (mower then thresher) and combine harvester were compared with traditional method (manual then thresher). The mechanical harvesting methods were done at five different field speeds 2.5, 3.1, 3.6 4.0 and 4.5 km/h for mower and combine. Three different drum speeds (450, 500 and 550 rpm) were also effected on grain losses and damaged grain for combine and thresher machines at three different moisture contents 8.78, 10.68 and 13.37 %. Field capacity, fuel consumption, power and energy requirements were calculated. The experimental results showed that the highest losses for mower and combine header were 4.19 % and 3.03 % respectively at forward speed 4.5 km/h and moisture content 8.78 % besides sickle loss was 3.59% at the same moisture content. Increasing thresher drum speed from 450 to 550 rpm increase threshing losses about 0.46 % and damaged grain by 1.35 % at feed rate of 1 Mg/h. Total combine grain losses was 7.27 % at field speed 2.5 km/h, drum speed 450 rpm and moisture content 8.78 % (including grain damaged). The actual field capacity was low under sickle (one labor can harvest 0.025 fed/h) and mower. Actual field capacity increased about 2.6 times with combine than mower under the whole forward speeds. Combine consumed the lowest energy 33.96 kWh/fed compared with mechanical method 57.24 kW.h/fed at field speed 4.5 km/h and traditional methods, 34.62 kWh/fed (at thresher drum speed 550 rpm). The highest criterion cost with manual is 113.03 Lei/fed at grain moisture content 8.78 %, in the mean time; the highest criterion cost with mower is 94.39 LE/fed at field speed 4.5 km/h, and grain moisture content 8.78 %. The highest criterion cost with thresher is 175.10 LE/fed at drum speed 550 rpm and grain moisture content 8.78 %. The highest criterion cost with combine harvester is 202.96 LE/fed at field speed 4.5 km/h; drum speed 550 rpm and grain moisture content 8.78 %.

Summary in Arabic.

1