Actual field speed of rice combine harvester and its influence on grain loss in Malaysian paddy field
Shamilah Ahmad Mokhtor, Darius El Pebrian, Nor Azi Asminda Johari
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the actual field speed of rice combine harvester and its influence on grain loss in mechanized rice harvesting in Malaysian paddy field. The study was carried out at rice granaries in Bagan Serai, Perak state of Malaysia during harvesting seasons. Actual field speed of rice combine harvester as daily practiced by the operator was recorded through field observation measurements. Besides that, its influence on grain loss in paddy field was also evaluated. The findings of the study found that the combine harvester field speeds in rice harvesting under Malaysian paddy field conditions ranged from 3.87 km/h to 6.11 km/h. While, the best field speed was noticed to be 3.87 km/h, which contributed only 0.67% grain loss or equal to MYR8.04/ha (USD 1.96/ha) of profit losses. The field speed also showed a linear relationship with grain loss. Conclusively, the results can encourage the improvement of mechanization quality in an effort to reduce rice farmer’s profit losses through minimizing grain loss in rice harvesting.