Combine Harvester: How Does it Work?

It is often said that a craftsman is only as good as their tools. When it comes to harvesting crops of all varieties, farmers need the best machines to perform their vital duties. Harvesting using advanced technologies can reduce waste and ensure higher quality and quantity of crops. A combine harvester is an invaluable machine for any farmer. In today's blog, we will break down how these machines function and how Machinery Pete can assist you in your journey of finding harvesters and other used combines for sale.

What is a Combine Harvester Used For?

As the name suggests, a combine harvester automatically combines the harvesting and separating of grain crops into one step. This machine makes what is otherwise a very complex function look relatively simple. Now that we understand what a combine is used for, we can take a closer look at how they function. Let’s examine the important combine harvester components to better understand how this machine works as we break down the process.

The header, positioned at the front of the combine, is accompanied by pincers on each side that gather up the crops as they are driven over. The larger the header is, the faster the cutting process can go.
Once the crop passes through the header, they are pushed through the cutter by a rotating wheel called a pickup reel (or just "reel"). The cutter bar is the same length as the header and rests underneath the pickup reel, and cuts off the crops at their base. The pickup reel has long vertical and horizontal elements that allow it to get a secure grip on the crops.
After the crops pass through the cutter and pickup reel, they move to the center of the combine via spinning screws. The crops are moved up a conveyor to the processing mechanism located in the main portion of the combine.
Once at this section of the combine, the crops are beaten by a threshing drum to separate the edible pieces from the non-edible ones.
Following a beating by the threshing drum, the grains will fall through sieves into a collecting tank.
As the tank fills up, a trailer will typically pull up alongside the combine to allow all the grain to be transferred over. The remaining unwanted parts, like the stalks, will fall out the back of the combine, and the entire process is repeated.

On average, a combine is comprised of 21 parts (some of which were not mentioned to keep the breakdown of the process simple). It should also be noted that harvesters from different manufacturers will function slightly differently from each other.

Types of Harvesters

There are three main types of combine harvesters that are presently in use by most farming operations; track, self-propelled, and tractor mounted.

Track Harvester
Instead of moving with a set of wheels, this harvester combine is fixated on a track mechanism with a tread that propels it forward. This type of combine is ideal for land where the wheels could routinely get stuck, like in wetlands.

Self-Propelled Harvester
This is the most common type of combine harvester used in today's modern farming world. This all-in-one machine has an engine attached to it that powers two main functions—powering the machine itself and powering all of the internal operations. The steps listed above are aligned with this type of combine.

Tractor Mounted Harvester
This type of harvester does not move forward on its own, rather, it is pulled by another machine, typically a tractor. This combine is less common than the other two but can still be a preferred choice in certain situations.

All three main types of harvesters can be put to good use on any farm, but we recommend doing as much research as possible about the functions of each to ensure you make the right purchase for your needs.

Machinery Pete: All Your Farm Equipment Needs

These remarkable machines perform amazing feats for farms all over the country, but one of the most critical questions asked when farmers research new equipment is about the cost. So, how much does a modern day combine cost? The price ranges can vary, as a brand new self-propelled combine harvester could cost upwards of $800,000, and a used combine could range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars. Machinery Pete is your one-stop shop for all farming equipment, no matter your budget. We have a variety of harvesters for sale with name brands like John Deere, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, and more.

If you have any questions about buying or selling farm equipment, contact us today!