Loss Measurements and Loss Percentage Calculation

CQ269730

IMPORTANT: To obtain higher precision, repeat the procedure at different points of the field and perform a calculation of mean performance and loss.

Crop Losses:

1. Mark an area of 1 m 2 in the section to be harvested (A1).

IMPORTANT: Larger side of marked area must be equal to header width.

2. Count loose grains and grains in fallen down ear tips or husks inside this area.

Example: Number of counted grains is 20.
Crop losses = 20 grains

Header Losses:

1. Harvest until header passes marked area. Stop combine and keep it operating until all straw comes out.

2. Reverse by a distance equal to combine length. At that point, area (A1) corresponds to area (A2).

3. Count loose grains and grains in fallen down ear tips or husks inside this area.

4. Subtract this value from crop losses.

Example: Number of counted grains is 70.
Header losses = 70 - 20 = 50 grains

Threshing System, Separation and Cleaning Losses:

1. Harvest a distance equal to three times the combine's length. Stop combine and keep it operating until all straw comes out. At that point, area (A2) corresponds to area (A3).

2. Count loose grains and grains in fallen down ear tips or husks inside this area.

3. Subtract this value from crop losses and header losses.

Example: Number of counted grains is 90.
Threshing system, separation and cleaning losses = 90 - 50 - 20 = 20 grains

Total Combine Losses:

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Sum of threshing system, separation and cleaning losses.

Example: Total combine losses = 50 + 20 = 70 grains

Crop Performance_

1. Harvest a sample of 100 m 2 with combine totally empty.

2. Unload harvested grains into a suitable container.

3. Weigh the grains and multiply the weight of the sample by 100 to obtain performance value in kg/ha.

Example: Sample weight was 40 kg. By multiplying the weight by 100 a performance of 4000 kg/ha is obtained.

Percentage of Losses:

1. Weigh quantity of grains corresponding to total combine losses.

2. Calculate crop losses in kg/ha by multiplication of the weight by 10000.

3. Multiply grain loss value by 100 and divide the result by the filed performance to obtain percentage of losses.

Example: Weight of grains corresponding to total combine losses is 0.024 kg.

0.024 kg x 10000 = 240 kg/ha

With a performance of 4000 kg/ha and losses of 240 kg/ha we can now calculate the percentage of losses.

240 x 100 = 24000 / 4000 = 6 % losses.

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