Studies on Harvesting Machines (26)

Studies on Small Size Forage Harvesters

Abstract

During three years, from January 1959 to July 1961, we have made and tested four models of flail-type forage harvester, namely FH591, FH602, FH603 and FH611.
These flail- type harvesters are made to be mounted on a small type tractor.
Model FH591 is equipped with four straight arms or four (or eight) curved arms cutting unit. The swath is 300mm, and its locus diametre is 600mm.
Model FH611 has twelve free swinging knives with 400mm swath and 500mm locus diametre.
In adition to the cutting unit, model FH602 and FH603, have auxiliary fan at the rear side of the discharge pipe and the inclination of the discharge pipe of model FH602 can be adjusted.
Three tests have carried out, namely:-
(a) harvesting test under field condition,
(b) power consumption test, to cut and blow out the materials,
(c) measuring test of the air speed in the discharge pipe, and we have come to the following conclusions.
1. Grasses such as radino-clover or orchard-grass can be harvested with these machines satisfactorily. Soiling soy-bean can also be harvested successfully with less residue left on the field than when it is cut by rotary mower, although dent-corn can not be harvested satisfactorily with 300-400mm swath.
2. Though the length of cut is much less uniform than it is with conventional ensilage cutter, it is considered that the harvested grass is suitable for silage.
3. The power consumption of the cutting unit of these machines to cut and blow out soy-bean is computed 3-4 horse power, with the yield of 2-3 tons per hour and these machines mounted on small tractors will be able to load grasses, approximately 0.5 ton per hour, under field condition.
4. Knives fixed on rigid arms are superior to that of free swinging type, in cutting hard materials, such as ripe stalk of dent-corn, but they wear out more rapidly and the safety precaution is to be desired
5. With auxiliary fan installed the power consumption, on noload, is larger than without auxiliary fan, but the desired rpm of knife can be reduced, with satisfactory result.
It is difficult to differentiate the power consumption between, with and without auxiliary fan, under actual field work.