Agricultural Microcombine

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Main > Food and Agriculture > Farm equipment > Combine

Agricultural Microcombine (Combine) - a combine is a complex device that cuts, threshes, and winnows grains and field crops of all sorts. Modern combines are huge devices today, and a smaller one is desirable for a small farm. This is not to say that this design should not be scaleable to larger size, as required to feed larger populations effectively. We propose a hybrid combine, with all parts driven by separate, infinitely speed controllable motors. This eliminates all pulleys and complexity of a single power source powering the entire modern combine. The key here is availability of cost-effective motors and controls, where today, motor controls are prohibitively expensive for such a proposition. OS changes this. With a microcombine under the control of the operator, expensive maintenance is avoided, and full food sufficiency becomes feasible on the tens-of-acres scale.

Collaboration

This project is now open for work. Please contribute your expertise to any of the work categories identified in this section. At this stage of the project, everything is needed. Please pass the word along, together with the direct url for this project, to others who may benefit from the activation of this research and development project. Note also that development funds are needed. The best way to contribute is by becoming a True Fan and making a monthly donation. A True Fan donation may be made at this page -- http://openfarmtech.org/wiki/Donate .

Review of Project Status

The status of the project is "We are getting started now, as of April 25, 2011.

Combine - Current Work

Current work includes getting information from grain and bean farmers about their needs for a microcombine, the operation modes they'd like, etc. and surveying any commercial equipment available that is similar in scope/scale.

Combine - Current Work -- Desired Features of the Microcombine

This category is for grain and bean farmers to comment on the features they would find useful in this machine.

I'm new and a little hesitant to make edits without knowing more of how things work, but...

I'm a very small-scale farmer who has been very frustrated by the lack of an appropriate scale combine.

Observations:

1. The Allis-All Crop appears to be nearly ideal. (http://www.yazallcrop.com/) I don't know what the status of the IP is for them, but it seems to me there is an opportunity there in modernizing the design in minor ways and making both new replicas and parts for the older machines which still exist.
2. When raising small grains on a small scale, threshing is the chief bottleneck. I'm willing and able to cut enough wheat with a scythe to feed my extended family, but threshing is another question. It is very laborious and time consuming.
3. Some Amish farmers are said to use combines permanently parked as fixed threshing machines.
4. What I'd like best would be a modular design where I could buy or build the thresher first, then the cleaner, then the cutter bar and pickup wheel in a trailer configuration, then a self-propulsion unit and bolt each one on as it is ready. In my case I'd probably use it towed and never make that last step.
5. Bear in mind that agriculture is similar in boot-strapping to this whole project and it is important to be able to get some functionality early (the thresher in this case) and then build on it as resources come on line.
6. I'm not as familiar with the all crop as I'd like to be, but I believe it needs a special head to pick corn (maize). I'd call corn picking a "nice to have" which if it could be integrated easily would be fine but otherwise, since it can be managed in so many other ways, should be a very low priorty.
7. Since old grain and dirt is very damaging to the device, easy cleaning should be an important consideration.
8. A design which leaves the straw windrowed for easy loading or baling is highly desirable.

Combine - Current Work -- Survey of Existing Commercial Models

Small Scale Grain Production Today -- this link is to an article at the website of a commercial dealer in imported European machinery. He has some pictures of stationary threshers that run $5K - $26K. There is a survey of commercial small combines presently being manufactured in Europe and Japan. These small combines retail for $40K - $77k. http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/smallscale.htm

Here is a bean thresher retailing for $9500 without an engine, $11000 with an engine -- http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/PDF%20Articles/Bean%20Threshers%20with%20pictures%20oct%202003.pdf

Article on lower cost small grain harvesting. http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/PDF%20Articles/Grain%20Harvesting%20Options.pdf

Small scale bean harvesting http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/PDF%20Articles/Small%20Scale%20Bean%20Harvesting.pdf

Small scale threshing equipment. http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/PDF%20Articles/Small%20Scale%20Threshing%20Equipment.pdf

Grain harvesting alternative technology http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/PDF%20Articles/Grain%20Harvesting%20Alternative%20Technology.pdf

http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/smallscale.htm

Small grain harvester http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJBcwNMWvRE&feature=grec_index http://www.croplandbiodiesel.com/images/clb-brochure-English-2010.pdf (GO TO PAGE 5 FOR COMBINE SPECS)

ZURN Rocket: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVuBEO-863Q

Massey Ferguson 31: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLkh8qoIrHo&feature=related

Combine - Developments Needed

Combine - General

Wikipedia article on combines -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combine_harvester

1949 Popular Mechanics magazine with cutaway picture of a self-propelled combine of its era, plus pictures of two small miniature reapers at work on extension experimental farms. http://tinyurl.com/3k3func

1937 picture of a self-propelled cutting header, Australia http://museumvictoria.com.au/sunshine/displayimage.asp?iid=13350

More early designed, 1885 to 1930s, from Australia http://museumvictoria.com.au/sunshine/displaysubtheme.asp?stid=4&tid=2

Pictures of threshers, northern Great Plains of the US, 1890s through 1940s. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award97/ndfahtml/ngpSubjects21.html

Article about the development of the McCormick reaper. http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wmh/pdf/wmh_spring01_grady.pdf

The Rodale thresher (stationary) http://www.cd3wd.com/cd3wd_40/JF/JF_OTHER/SMALL/Rodale%20grain%20thresher%20-%201977.pdf

Collection of third world implements, document #37 is a pedal powered thresher http://www.cd3wd.com/cd3wd_40/JF/JF_VE/BIG/06-232.pdf

1979 book on the design and building of a pedal thresher. Includes 21 drawings. http://www.cd3wd.com/cd3wd_40/CD3WD/APPRTECH/THRESHER/EN/INDEX.HTM 

.

Combine - Specific

Combine - Background Debriefing

Combine - Information Work

Combine - Hardware Work

Combine - Articles

1. Micro Combines For small scale agriculture, harvesting can be done with micro combines. Micro combines can be broken down into two categories: towed and self propelled. Towed combines are hard to find due to them being out of production since the ‘60s in the U.S. However, demand for them is growing with small scale farmers. The old Allis Chalmers model 60 combines were widely used in America as one of the main combines used for grain harvesting. They can be pulled behind a tractor, and are PTO driven. Some companies have started buying these combines, refurbishing them, and reselling them to farmers. Self propelled combines are the types currently being developed. Operators of these machines either ride them or must walk behind them as they harvest. These self propelled units are beginning to see more use in rice harvesting in Asian countries. The combines in the following list are all self propelled with the exception of the Shenmao Harvester, which is hand held.

Briggs & Stratton Model Picture taken from: http://www.hcmuaf.edu.vn/ctt/softs/pkh/tailieu/tapchi_khkt/2004/TC%20-%204%20-%2004/PHHien.pdf Working width: 1.2 m Working Speed: 1.5 – 2.1 km/hr Idle travel speed: 2.0 – 5.0 km/hr Field capacity: 1 ha/day Cutting height: 0.1 – 0.4 m Combined losses: <2.0 % Engine power: 16 Hp Fuel consumption: 15 L/ha Labor requirement: 5 workers Overall dimensions: 3.5m X 1.5m X 1.5m Net weight: 600 kg

Mitsubishi 502 Rice Harvester Pictures taken from: http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/PDF%20Articles/Micro%20Grain%20Combine%20August%202009.pdf

Head width: 25” Field capacity: 1 acre/9 hrs Unit cost: $25,000 Wheel type: Crawler tracks

Cicoria Combine Picture taken from: http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/pictures/ss11.htm

Head width: 78” Overall dimensions: 192” X 92” Unit weight: 5,390 lbs Head type: General crop header with axial threshing drum Engine power: 38 Hp

Shenmao Harvester Picture taken from: http://shenmao.en.alibaba.com/product/250305412-209425313/43cc_small_Grain_Harvester.html

Engine size: 43cc 2-stroke Unit weight: 7.5 kg No other information could be found, so it is unclear how well it actually works

Agriculture in developing countries is largely done on many small scale plots, and there is a need for small scale harvesters to help increase crop production. There are already several companies producing micro combines and harvesters, but there is still a need for cheaper and more efficient machines. Continued development of micro combines will help make small scale farmers better able to make a living, and make their lives easier.

Works Cited

Canales, E. 1999. Small Scale Grain Production Today. Gridley, CA.: Ferrari Tractors. Available at: http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/smallscale.htm. Accessed 23 January 2010.

Hien, P. H., and L. Van Ban. 2004, The Mini Combine-Harvester: Research Results and a Related Automation Concept. Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. 4: 95-100.

Micro Grain Combine. Gridley, CA.: Ferrari Tractors. Available at: http://www.ferrari-tractors.com/PDF%20Articles/Micro%20Grain%20Combine%20August%202009.pdf . Accessed 25 March 2010.

Zhejiang Shenmao Appliance Co., Ltd. Available at: http://shenmao.en.alibaba.com/product/250305412-209425313/43cc_small_Grain_Harvester.html . Accessed 25 March 2010.

Combine - Sign-in

If you are interested in this project, please sign in here.

  • Marcin
  • Bob Waldrop
  • Bryan Burgess
  • You
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Development Work Template

  1. Combine - Product Definition
    1. Combine - General
    2. Combine - General Scope
    3. Combine - Product Ecology
      1. Combine - Localization
      2. Combine - Scaleability
      3. Combine - Analysis of Scale
      4. Combine - Lifecycle Analysis
    4. Combine - Enterprise Options
    5. Combine - Development Approach
      1. Combine - Timeline
      2. Combine - Development Budget
        1. Combine - Value Spent
        2. Combine - Value available
        3. Combine - Value needed
    6. Combine - Deliverables and Product Specifications
    7. Combine - Industry Standards
    8. Combine - Market and Market Segmentation
    9. Combine - Salient Features and Keys to Success
  2. Combine - Technical Design
    1. Combine - Product System Design
      1. Combine - Diagrams and Conceptual Drawings
        1. Combine - Pattern Language Icons
        2. Combine - Structural Diagram
        3. Combine - Funcional or Process Diagram
        4. Combine - Workflow
      2. Combine - Technical Issues
      3. Combine - Deployment Strategy
      4. Combine - Performance specifications
      5. Combine - Calculations
        1. Combine - Design Calculations
        2. Combine - Yields
        3. Combine - Rates
        4. Combine - Structural Calculations
        5. Combine - Power Requirements
        6. Combine - Ergonomics of Production
        7. Combine -Time Requirements
        8. Combine - Economic Breakeven Analysis
        9. Combine - Scaleability Calculations
        10. Combine - Growth Calculations
      6. Combine - Technical Drawings and CAD
      7. Combine - CAM Files
    2. Combine - Component Design
      1. Combine - Diagrams
      2. Combine - Conceptual drawings
      3. Combine - Performance specifications
      4. Combine - Performance calculations
      5. Combine - Technical drawings and CAD
      6. Combine - CAM files whenever available
    3. Combine - Subcomponents
  3. Combine - Deployment and Results
    1. Combine - Production steps
    2. Combine - Flexible Fabrication or Production
    3. Combine - Bill of materials
    4. Combine - Pictures and Video
    5. Combine - Data
  4. Combine - Documentation and Education
    1. Combine - Documentation
    2. Combine - Enterprise Plans
  5. Combine - Resource Development
    1. Combine - Identifying Stakeholders
      1. Combine - Information Collaboration
        1. Combine - Wiki Markup
        2. Combine - Addition of Supporting References
        3. Combine - Production of diagrams, flowcharts, 3D computer models, and other qualitative information architecture
        4. Combine - Technical Calculations, Drawings, CAD, CAM, other
      2. Combine - Prototyping
      3. Combine - Funding
      4. Combine - Preordering working products
      5. Combine - Grantwriting
      6. Combine - Publicity
      7. Combine - User/Fabricator Training and Accreditation
      8. Combine - Standards and Certification Developmen
      9. Combine - Other
    2. Combine - Grantwriting
      1. Combine - Volunteer grantwriters
      2. Combine - Professional, Outcome-Based Grantwriters
    3. Combine - Collaborative Stakeholder Funding
    4. Combine - Tool and Material Donations
    5. Combine - Charitable Contributions
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