How to buy a suitable rice harvester? A guide to choosing a rice harvester

What types of rice harvesters are there? How do you choose a rice harvester that suits you? This article mainly introduces the relevant knowledge you should pay attention to when buying a rice harvester, such as its machine size, feeding method, traveling device, harvesting method, and after-sales service.

Choosing the machine size

The power of a rice combine harvester is generally 9--107kW. Therefore, the size of the chosen model must match the size of the field and the condition of concentrated contiguous plots. If the field is level, the plot is large, and the height difference is small, a larger model should be chosen; if the plots are small and scattered, a small harvester should be chosen. If a large harvester is chosen for small plots, the harvester's efficiency cannot be fully brought into play; if a small harvester is chosen for large plots, the productivity is low and it cannot meet the requirements of rapid harvesting during the busy farming season.

Choosing the feeding method

According to different feeding methods, rice combine harvesters are divided into semi-feeding and full-feeding models. The fundamental difference between the two lies in how they handle the rice straw. In the semi-feeding model, when the rice is threshed, only the panicle part enters the threshing device, and the straw is basically kept intact. This model leaves a lower stubble, generally 6--10 cm. This model's straw conveying device is relatively complex, the price is high, and there are more faults.

In the full-feeding model, the straw and the panicle part are all fed into the threshing device. After being struck by the cylinder, the straw is broken and crushed into a messy state and discharged into the field. In order to reduce the load on the threshing cylinder, the stubble is generally left higher, at 10--20 cm. This model has a simple structure, good reliability, fewer faults, and a relatively lower price. Buyers should choose reasonably according to local characteristics and actual conditions.

Choosing the traveling device

The traveling devices of rice combine harvesters come in two types: wheeled and rubber-tracked. The wheeled traveling device has a mature structure and wide versatility. However, the tire contact area is small, so when working in paddy fields it sinks relatively deep, making steering and traveling difficult, and at the same time it damages the field surface soil rather seriously. It is suitable for use in areas where the fields are relatively dry and the soil is relatively hard and not prone to sinking. The tracks of tracked harvesting machinery have a large contact area, and the sinking depth during operation is relatively shallow, so it can work normally in ordinary paddy fields.

Therefore, buyers should choose harvesting machinery according to the soil properties of the local paddy fields and production habits. For sandy and semi-sandy soil, which has a relatively strong bearing capacity, harvesting machinery with a wheeled traveling device can be chosen. For clayey and semi-clayey soil, it is advisable to choose a harvesting model with a tracked traveling device.

In addition, for the mounted harvesting machinery with a wheeled traveling device, during the slack farming season the harvesting implements can be removed and the tractor can be used for transport operations; during the busy farming season, it can also be equipped with a plow, harrow, or rotary tiller for farmland operations. The main machine serves multiple purposes, with high utilization and good economic returns. Tracked harvesting machinery, however, is dedicated harvesting machinery with low utilization. When purchasing, buyers should also consider this carefully.

Choosing the harvesting method

A rice combine harvester completes several processes such as reaping, threshing, and cleaning all at once, with a high degree of mechanization, and the grain after cutting is basically clean, so it should generally be given priority. In some areas, limited by economic conditions and influenced by traditional harvesting methods, people have long been accustomed to reaping first and threshing after drying, so a rice windrower may be considered.

Choosing a rice combine harvester of a mature model

It is best to buy a model that has been introduced by the local agricultural machinery promotion department and has been tested and demonstrated locally, proving that its quality and performance are reliable and that it is suitable for local use. At the same time, also pay attention to understanding the brand reputation of the model and the after-sales service capability of the manufacturing enterprise. Do not buy rice combine harvesters of poor quality with no guarantee of after-sales service.

The above content is for reference only.