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Acceptable grain losses currently run at 1-1.5%. How this is calculated depends on the following factors:
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Harvesting conditions;
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Harvesting time;
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Checks of losses.
What Does Loss of Grain Really Mean?
With a yield of 4000 kg per hectare, a grain loss of 1% is equivalent to 40 kg.
When a combine operates with a grain loss of 6% due to incorrect adjustments, this means that up to 240 kg of grain is lost per hectare.
Correct Adjustment = Greater Yield?
The following example shows that the correct adjustment of the machine leads to good results.
Example:
The combine is working with a 6% loss and the mean performance per hectare is 4000 kg. If the combine is harvesting 2.5 hectares per hour, then in 8 hours it will harvest 20 hectares.
20 ha x 4000 kg/ha = 80000 kg x 6% = 4800 kg.
Verify where the greatest grain loss is concentrated (header or threshing, separating or cleaning systems) and start adjustments at that point. Better adjustment
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reduces grain loss by 1% to 3%. Let us suppose that with these adjustments we obtain a 2% reduction.
The now reduced grain loss of 4% is still excessive. By reducing ground speed, losses can be reduced by 1% to 3.5%. If, in our example, we reduce the workload to 2 hectares per hour, then in 8 hours the combine shall harvest 16 hectares and we obtain a reduction of 3%.
Then:
16 ha x 4000 kg/ha = 64000 kg x 1 % = 640 kg.
Conclusion:
If you have 100 ha:
Harvesting with a 6% loss will result in a loss of 20,000 kg.
Reducing the grain loss by 5% will result in a saving of 16,000 kg (266 sacks of 60 kg).
The operator, or any other person, must check grain loss three times a day, and carry out any necessary adjustments in order to maintain grain losses at a level of 1%-1,5%.
The combine can operate even more economically (especially when several combines are working in one field) if one person is employed specifically to check grain loss on all machines.
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