Efficiency and losses in mechanical harvesting of soybeans due to the plots format

Abstract

Information about the capacity of the operation, harvest efficiency and performance of the harvester are of great importance in the management of agricultural mechanized systems, assisting in the decisions to be taken by the management aimed at its optimization. Mechanized harvesting was carried out at the farm located in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, in which eight repetitions for each evaluated plot format (irregular rectangular and trapezoidal) were performed. The activities of the harvester (harvest, unloading grain, harvest problems and climate pauses were monitored up. In determining losses circular frames were used with hoops made of 0.33 m2, then were released soon after the harvester's platform passed, in pre-determined points. Two frames were located outside of the harvest machine (left and right) and a third was located between the rear wheelsets (centre). The total losses refer to the sum of losses on the platform and of the internal mechanisms. The rectangular plot allowed a better use of available time for harvest, and presented greater efficiency of time compared to the other plots. By contrast the irregular plot, showed reduction in relation the grain discharge logistics, when comparing with the others plots Among the losses were no differences in the formats of plots evaluated and to the sampling site, with samples taken at the centre of the harvest machine presenting less variability.