Effects of Binder-Sheaf Size on Threshing Performance and Load Characteristics of an Auto Feed Thresher

바인더 볏단의 크기가 자동탈곡기(自動脱糓機)의 탈곡성능(脱糓性能) 및 부하특성(負荷特性)에 미치는 영향(影響)

This study was carried out to find out the effects of the sheaf size of paddy harvested by the binders on the threshing performance, load characteristics and power requirement of an auto-feed thresher. The results of the study are summarized as follows: 1. The seperating performance of the thresher appeared to be satisfactory for all the sheaf sizes although the amount of rubbishes and empty grains slightly increased with the sheaf size of paddy. 2. There was no significant difference in grain output quality of the thresher among the three sheaf sizes. However, the amount of grains left unthreshed increased with the sheaf size. In the case of the largest sheaf size with the feed rate of 780kg/h, it exceeded the limit set by the national inspection regulations. 3. The position of the feed-chain rail gave a significant effect on the power requirement of the thresher. At the feed rate of 780kg/h, the net power required to convey sheafs through the feed chain was in the range of 0.37 to 0.50 PS for the middle and lowest position of feed-chain rail, and there was no significant difference among the sheaf sizes. At the highest position, however, it appeared that the smallest sheaf required more power than the others. The net power requirements at this position were 1.03, 0.59. 0.65 PS for the smallest, medium and largest sheafs respectively. 4. The torques of both the thresher and the engine shaft increased with the feed rate and were not affected by the sheaf size for the lower two feed rates of 520 and 780kg/h. At the highest feed rate of 1,040 kg/h, however, they were affected by the sheaf size. In this case, the medium sheaf size gave lower values than the others. 5. The variations in the thresher and the engine torque increased with the feed rate and were not affected by the sheaf size for the feed rate of 520kg/h. At the feed rate of 780kg/h, however, they increased with sheaf size. And at the feed rate of 1,040 kg/h, the torque variations increased greatly for all the sheaf sizes due to an over-load operating condition. 6. It appeared that the average and maximum power requirements of the thresher increased with the feed rate. But, there was no significant difference in power requirement among the sheaf sizes for the lower two feed rates. 7. The threshing efficiency of the thresher was in the range of 214-249 kg/ps.h with the feed rates of 520 and 780 kg/h, and it was not affected by both the sheaf size and the feed rate. At the feed rate of 1,040 kg/h, however, it decreased to as low as 171-174 kg/ps.h because of a sudden increase in power requirement. 8. The average power requirements of the engine were slightly higher than those of the thresher due to the slippage of flat belt between the thresher and engine. It appeared that power transmission from the engine to the thresher was maintained properly since slippages were moderately low with the range of 2.78 to 6.51% throughout the tests. 9. The specific fuel consumption of the engine (diesel 8PS) decreased as the feed rate increased. However, there was no significant reduction in specific fuel consumption as the feed rate increased above 780 kg/h.