Modeling and Calculation of Power Consumption of Sahand 68s Combine for Harvesting Wheat (Alvand Variety)

Energy is an important input in agriculture and harvesting operation of grain crops constitutes a major part of total energy input. Hence, calculation of power consumption for this operation to minimize power loss is essential. In the present research, an appropriate model for calculation of Sahand 68s combine power requirement was given and the the power consumption of the combine for harvesting of wheat (Alvand variety) in Tabriz was calculated. In the proposed model, geometric as well as functional parameters along with crop conditions were considered. For the purpose of power consumption calculation it is necessary to determine power consumption in combine's individual components such ates reel, cutter bar, platform conveyor, feeder conveyor, thresher, straw walker, blower, sieves, grain-conveying unit, tailings feed unit, traction unit and bearing friction energy losses in different parts. Results showed that the total power consumption of Sahand 68s combine for harvesting of wheat (Alvand variety) in Tabriz is 88.472 hp. Calculations also indicated that threshing cylinder with 54.035 hp was the highest power consuming unit among the working units of the combine followed by traction, straw walker, cutter bar, reel, blower, sieves, grain-conveying unit and finally feeder conveyor with 0.0217 the lowest .