Comparative research on peas harvesting technologies

Abstract

Traditional cutting-threshing, windrow harvesting and stripping-threshing technologies of peas harvesting have been researched. The combines harvesters SK-5, SR 500 and JK-3 “Nemunas” (semi-hanger), the mower ŽRB-4.2A for cutting the peas into windrow, the sampler of windrows A54-102 and an experimental stripper header for combine SR 500 were used in the tests. The greatest losses (approximately 8 %) of peas were when peas have been harvested by windrow technology method. While threshing dry windrows of peas by combine SK-5, approximately 9 % of peas were shattered (mostly into haft part). It was established, that the highest efficiency was when peas were harvested applying traditional crop harvesting technology by Finn combine SR 500. The semi-hanger combine JK-3 “Nemunas” is workable for peas harvesting. However approximately 6 % of grain is shattering and total grain losses amount over 7 % of all grain yield. The lesser grain defilement in the combine tank for grains was when peas were harvested by combine SR 500 and the least defilement was when peas were harvested by combine SK-5. The germinating ability of peas seeds was approximately equable applying all investigated technologies of peas harvesting except stripping-threshing technology (when only stripped pods have been threshed). According energetic indices, the windrow harvesting was less effective method (the greatest diesel and labour input). The highest efficiency was achieved applying stripping-threshing technology: the output of combine increased twice and approximately 30 % of fuel consumption was saved.