Correct Use Methods and Operating Techniques for Combine Harvesters

During use, as time goes on and its technical condition deteriorates, a combine harvester's working capacity will gradually decline, but correct use and operation can extend its service life and improve its reliability.So, what operating techniques are there for using a combine harvester?

1. Trial running. A new machine or one that has been serviced must undergo trial running and break-in.

① Engine trial running. Based on the content of the inspection and maintenance, decide whether to carry out cold or hot running-in, and check whether the oil pressure gauge, oil temperature gauge and water temperature gauge are normal, and whether there is oil leakage, water seepage or abnormal noise.

② Travel trial running. Following the sequence of 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear and reverse gear, turn left and right respectively, and check whether the steering mechanism and brakes are sensitive and whether the clutch interlock mechanism is reliable.

③ Trial running of the working mechanisms such as cutting, threshing, separating and grain unloading, to check the reliability and sensitivity of the monitoring instruments.

2. Technical maintenance. Regularly carry out cleaning, inspection, tightening, adjustment, lubrication, adding and replacing of wearing parts on all parts of the combine harvester.

① Cleaning of the combine harvester: remove glumes, broken stems and other attachments from the machine, lubricate all friction points in time, and clean the external chains and lubricate them with machine oil.

② Inspection of the engine's technical condition, including whether oil pressure, oil temperature and water temperature are normal, and whether engine noise and fuel consumption are normal.

③ Inspection and adjustment of the header, including the rotational speed and height of the reel, the cutter stroke and cutting clearance, and whether the clearance between the auger and the bottom surface and the auger speed meet requirements.

④ Inspection of the threshing device. Mainly, the drum speed and concave clearance should meet requirements; higher speed and smaller clearance are used, but this must not cause grain breakage or drum blockage.

⑤ Inspection of the separating device and cleaning device. For the straw walker, the crankshaft should rotate flexibly after tightening; for the axial-flow drum separating device, mainly check whether the drum rotates lightly, flexibly and reliably.

⑥ Inspection of other items. Whether welded parts have cracks, whether all kinds of oil and water are clean and sufficient, whether fasteners are firm, whether rotating parts move flexibly and reliably, and whether the control devices are flexible, accurate and reliable; especially the hydraulic control mechanism, which must be accurate without error during use.

3. Correct use and operation. Operating according to standards can reduce faults and improve efficiency.

① Start the engine without load, engage the clutch at low speed, pull the control valve to slow the combine harvester, lower the header to the normal stubble height, increase the throttle until the engine reaches rated speed, then enter the field to harvest.

② After the harvester has run 50—100 meters, stop and check the working quality, and make necessary adjustments when needed, until the working quality meets requirements, then put it into normal work.

③ Always operate at high throttle; do not reduce the throttle to lower the forward speed, because the lower the throttle, the slower the movement rhythm of the harvesting and threshing working mechanisms, which can reduce working quality and even block the header or drum. After operating at high throttle, never shut down immediately.

④ During operation, the control valve and gear shifting can be used to change speed.

⑤ When crossing obstacles, adjust the header height in time.

⑥ During use, normal temperature specifications, speed specifications and load specifications should be maintained.

4. Technical storage. Ensure the combine harvester remains complete and in good condition through proper storage when idle.

① Remove dust and dirt, open all windows, cover plates and guards of the machine set, and carefully remove grass debris, broken straw and oil stains from all parts inside the machine so that the machine set is clean.

② Remove the chains, clean them with diesel, immerse them in machine oil for 20 minutes, then wrap them in paper and store them separately; remove the rubber belts, clean and dry them, apply talcum powder, and store them properly.

③ Replace the lubricating oil in each part, then turn it several times without load.

④ Apply oil to working friction points or areas where paint has come off to prevent rust.

⑤ Wash the exterior of the machine with water, and after it dries, apply a small amount of lubricating oil with a cloth.

⑥ After the machine is put into storage, lower the header onto wooden blocks, lift the drive wheel axle and steering wheel axle with jacks and support them with wooden blocks, place the body steadily with the tires off the ground, and reduce tire pressure to 1/3 of standard pressure.

⑦ Relax the safety clutch spring and other springs.

⑧ During storage, regularly turn the crankshaft 10 revolutions, and each month move the hydraulic distribution valve through each working position 15—20 times; to prevent corrosion on the working surface of the cylinder piston, push the piston to the bottom.

⑨ The engine and storage battery should be stored according to their respective technical storage procedures.