A Detailed Guide to the Correct Use and Maintenance of Agricultural Harvesters

With the rapid development of our country's rural economy, the introduction of combine harvesters has greatly reduced the labor intensity of farmers. This article discusses the correct use and maintenance methods of agricultural harvesters, hoping that users can gain a deeper understanding of agricultural harvesters. Thereby enabling them to better play their role, increase their working intensity, and let their function be better brought into play.

Harvester Use

1. Preparation before harvesting: Check whether all parts of the harvester are in good condition.

2. Drive the machine into the field, then pull the divider rod to the working position, lower the grain receiving platform, pull the grain discharge gate to the “open” position, hang the grain bag on the grain bag hook, and drive the machine to a position perpendicular to the field ridge.

3. Adjust the machine: Turn the dust discharge adjustment handle to the “standard” position, turn the auxiliary transmission handle to the ”high speed” or “low speed” position according to the crop conditions, and set the straw discharge handle to the “chopping” or “straw discharge” position.

4. Lower the header so that the front end of the divider drops to a point 5-10cm above the field surface.

5. Turn the threshing clutch and the cutting clutch handles to the engaged position.

6. Slowly push the main transmission handle forward to start the machine harvesting.

7. When the crop begins to enter the threshing opening, operate the manual threshing depth adjustment switch so that the panicle head is at the position of the threshing depth indicator mark.

8. After the crop has been completely harvested, turn the cutting clutch handle to the disengaged position.

9. After the grain outlet no longer discharges grain, turn the thresher clutch handle to the disengaged position.

10. Check whether the switches of all parts of the machine are properly turned off.

11. Reduce the throttle and shut off the engine.

12. Drive the harvester back to the storage point and carry out certain inspection and maintenance.

(1) Self-propelled combine harvester

1. Add lubricating oil to each lubrication point daily as specified.

2. After a period of use, tighten the front wheel and rear wheel nuts; check and adjust the tension of all V-belts; check and adjust all drive chains; when the indicator light is on, clean the dry air filter: clean the rotary wind cover and radiator; check the coolant level and top it up; check and clean the water collector; check the fuel filter, drain the accumulated water and sediment; clean the hydraulic oil tank filler port and check the oil level; park the combine harvester on level ground, check the engine oil pan oil, and add oil as needed; tension the grain unloading auger wire rope; clean the hydraulic drive oil tank filler port and check the oil level. If necessary, clean the cab filter.

3. After one season of use, replace the fuel filter element and replace the engine oil filter. Check the specific gravity of the battery electrolyte, and charge or top up with distilled water as needed. Check the coolant level and top it up. Clean the fuel transfer pump, check and adjust the travel clutch clearance, check and adjust the foot brake, and adjust the hand brake cable.

(2) Maintenance measures for combine harvesters

Before the combine harvester goes out, maintain the machine well to keep it in good technical condition, so that it has fewer faults during use, stable performance, reduced downtime, improved work efficiency, and extended service life.

1. Operations such as adding and replacing wearing parts.

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

3. Cleaning of the combine harvester, removing glumes, broken stems, and other attachments on the machine, promptly lubricating all friction parts; the outer chains should be cleaned and lubricated with machine oil.

4. Inspection of the separation device and cleaning device. The inspection of the straw walker should be based on the crankshaft rotating flexibly after tightening; for the axial-flow drum separation device, the main thing is to see whether the drum rotates lightly, flexibly, and reliably.

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

6. Inspection of the threshing device. The main thing is that the drum speed and concave clearance should meet the requirements; higher speed and smaller clearance, but it must not cause grain breakage or drum blockage.

7. 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) Self-propelled combine harvester

1. Add lubricating oil to each lubrication point daily as specified.

2. After a period of use, tighten the front wheel and rear wheel nuts; check and adjust the tension of all V-belts; check and adjust all drive chains; when the indicator light is on, clean the dry air filter: clean the rotary wind cover and radiator; check the coolant level and top it up; check and clean the water collector; check the fuel filter, drain the accumulated water and sediment; clean the hydraulic oil tank filler port and check the oil level; park the combine harvester on level ground, check the engine oil pan oil, and add oil as needed; tension the grain unloading auger wire rope; clean the hydraulic drive oil tank filler port and check the oil level. If necessary, clean the cab filter.

3. After one season of use, replace the fuel filter element and replace the engine oil filter. Check the specific gravity of the battery electrolyte, and charge or top up with distilled water as needed. Check the coolant level and top it up. Clean the fuel transfer pump, check and adjust the travel clutch clearance, check and adjust the foot brake, and adjust the hand brake cable.

Harvester Maintenance

(1) Remove debris

① Thoroughly clean all component parts and connections of the machine, with special attention to cleaning the straw walker and removing residual material on the return pan.

② Clean and wash the return pan of the machine.

③ Remove residual material on the drum and concave.

④ Be sure to clean the grain from the grain bin and all elevators.

(2) Complete lubrication - lubricate according to the lubrication schedule, then turn the machine a few times. At each connection, apply extreme-pressure grease or petroleum jelly to prevent oxidation.

(3) Some parts of the wheat combine harvester should be removed and stored separately.

In order to keep the combine harvester always in good technical condition, ensure its high-quality, low-consumption, and safe operation, reduce the failure rate of the combine harvester, extend its service life, and improve economic benefits, it is necessary to use the combine harvester scientifically and reasonably and to carefully carry out daily maintenance and regular inspection work.