Plant Soil Environ., 2005, 51(6):249-254 | DOI: 10.17221/3582-PSE

The measurement of plant residues distribution quality after harvest by conventional and axial combine harvesters

F. Kumhála, Z. Kvíz, J. Mašek, P. Procházka

Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, Czech Republic

This paper concerns the evaluation of the husk and straw distribution quality measurement on different commonly used combine harvesters. The plant residues can significantly influence the next plant germination and growth, especially when they are unevenly placed on the field surface. The experiments were realised during the harvesting season in years 2001, 2002 and 2003. All machines were evaluated under normal operational conditions by winter wheat and oil rape harvest. For plant residues distribution quality evaluation the Christiansen's coefficient was calculated. The most important outcome from the measurement is that the distribution pattern of husk and straw depends on instantaneous material feed rate through the harvester. The higher material feed rate the worse regularity of husk and straw distribution. Axial combine harvesters break up straw more intensively then tangential combine harvesters. Straw crushers on tangential combine harvesters are therefore more loaded and need more attention from the crushing and distribution quality point of view. On the contrary, on axial combine harvesters most material goes on cleaning sieves and more attention should be paid to this small particles distribution.

Keywords: combine harvesters; straw crushing; plant remains; distribution quality

Published: June 30, 2005  Show citation