Quantification of Mechanical Losses on Oilseed Rape Harvesting

Abstract

The objectives of the present study are to evaluate and to select the most proper header for harvesting rape-seed crop. Field experiments were conducted at Sakha Agricultural Res. Center, Kafr El-Sheikh Govermorate during the winter season of 2005 using rape-seed crop (Darakar). Experiments were carried out by using two different types of reel namely: (tine and bat reels) to determine the effect of reel speed index, seed moisture content and drum speed on combine performance (header, drum, shoe, rake losses & total losses, and total seed damage), field capacity, machine productivity, energy requirement, operating and criterion function costs were estimated.The minimum values of energy requirements reached 325.17 and 343.27 MJ/fed at drum speed of 15.36 m/s, seed moisture content of 12.63% and reel speed index of 1.57 for tine and bat reels, respectively. On the other hand, the criterion function cost showed that tine reel recorded the lowest values compared with bat reel under all conditions. The minimum values of criterion function cost was 573.20 L.E./ton which obtained at reel speed index of 1.57 and combine forward speed of 3.54 km/h.The results showed that tine reel was strongly recommended for its good performance. However, it gives the lowest values of header loss, total losses, energy requirements and criterion function cost. The optimum operating conditions are at reel speed index of 1.57, drum speed of 19.20 m/s and seed moisture content of about 15.27%.

Mathematical Modeling of Thin Layer Drying of Canola Pods

“…As row material, it is used in the manufacturing of different products such as: artificial butter oil, soap gelercine, sweets. In addition, the residues of oil crops are used in forage concentrates manufacturing which is considered an important sources for the development of poultry and animal industry (Kholief et al, 2009). On the other hands, there are over 350 species oil-producing plants and thousands of sub-species.…”