American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 8 (1): 104-108, 2010 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2010 Corresponding Author: M.J. Sheikh Davoodi, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Farm Machinery and Mechanization, Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran 104 Evaluation of Wheat Losses Using New Holland Combine Harvester in Iran M.J. Sheikh Davoodi and E. Houshyar Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Farm Machinery and Mechanization, Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran Abstract: Adequate wheat production is one of the most important issues in Iran. Based on governmental policies there has been a developing tendency toward importing foreign grain combine harvesters. Considering Iran condition, this study was carried out to evaluate suitability and determine wheat losses using combine "NEW HOLLAND TC56". With regard to the interaction effect of FS and RS on HL, the best combination was 3 kmh and 25 RPM for FS and RS, respectively. The evaluation of losses in the form of semi-threshed heads 1 revealed that minimum loss belonged to CC and CS by 7 mm and 850 RPM, respectively. However, from the cleaning unit losses and seed breakage points of view the proper CS was 850 and 750 RPM, respectively. Key words: Combine NEW HOLLAND Wheat harvesting losses INTRODUCTION separating losses. Kehayov et al. [6] in an Wheat is by far the most valuable crop and an found that the best FS, CS and CC were 4.31 ms , important commodity in Iran. Although we achieved self- 28.6 ms and 20.1 mm, respectively. An evaluation by sufficiency in wheat in 2004 [1], low production in recent Geert et al. [7] revealed that the cleaning section settings years prove that it has not been sustainable. In fact, high such as lower and upper sieve openings had a minor rainfalls besides favorable climate were two important effect on the content of MOG in the grain bin when reasons of that success which should not be neglected. compared to other variables such as fan speed and the Preventing large losses during harvesting is one of loadings by chaff, straw and grain on the upper sieve essential tasks toward obtaining self-sufficiency. Some tests using interior combines evaluated the Average annual planted area under cereal is mean losses of 7.78% [8]. Although majority of around 9.5 million hectares (73%), of which wheat imported combines were so modern, some field tests occupies 72% [2]. Ultimately, the aim of any crop were required to confirm the suitability and performance harvesting system is to retrieve from the field as much of of these combines in Iran condition. Since, grain combine the mature crop as possible. Harvesting is a critical stage harvester, generally, is complicated and consists of in wheat production. On the one hand poor genetically- different parts with different adjustments; the studies on mechanically features of wheat against losses and on the these kinds of machines should be done in such a way other hand aged existing combines and deficiency in that could determine the interaction effect of parts on new ones result in considerable amount of losses in each other. To meet this need the main goal of current harvesting period in Iran. In addition, the mean yield per study was determination of best adjustments appropriate unit area is much low (3 tonha in irrigated farms). to wheat farms in Iran. 1 Consequently, Iran has been one of the greatest wheat importers in some previous years. Due to governmental MATERIALS AND METHODS policies there has been a positive tendency toward importing foreign grain harvesters during recent years [3]. This field study was performed in Fars province to Navid et al. [4] found a direct correlation between feed evaluate wheat harvesting losses utilizing combine "NEW rate and the amount of losses. HOLLAND TC56". The adjustments were performed Straksas [5] designed a stripper-header for grain according to the combine operator manual. The farm yield harvesting and showed that via stripping and then was 6.7 ton ha and grain moisture content was 11-13% threshing wheat the FS had no impact on grain threshing- during experiments. A fabricated 50×50 cm frame was used assessment of the combine "CLAAS-DOMINATOR 106" 1 1 1