Impact of working speed of towed picker and combines harvester to the quality of chamomile harvesting

The areas under aromatic, herb and medicinal plants in Croatia are constantly increasing, and natural geographical conditions are extremely favorable for organic cultivation of medicinal plants in all parts of the Croatia. Chamomile has a great economic value in worldwide medicinal plants trade and it is one of the most important medicinal crops. Harvested in May and early June, optimally when 70% of flower heads are physiologically mature. To reduce the cost of harvesting, it is mostly carried out by special combine harvester with a large capacity. This paper analyzes the impact of the working speed of towed pickers and combine harvesters (combine harvester Deutz-Fahr M 1322, combine harvester Zmaj 142 RM, towed pickers Herbas KVH-2000 powered with tractors John Deere 6300 and Torpedo 4806) on the effect and quality of chamomile harvesting. It was found that the best results are achieved at working speeds of 3 to 3.7 km/h, and combine harvesters have higher income per hour of work compared to towed pickers. The best-ranked working machine is Zmaj 142 RM combine, which earns 60% more revenue per hour than a towed picker powered with both analyzed tractors.