Mathematical model of feeding rate and processing loss for combine harvester

To investigate the relationship between feeding rate and harvest loss of combine harvesters, the paper intensively analyzed the factors that influenced feeding rate and harvest loss for combine harvester. The mathematical model between feeding rate and processing loss was established using three functions (power, exponential and quadratic) based on field test samples of Xinjiang-2A combine harvester. The model based on quadratic function showed the highest accuracy and its coefficient of determination was 0.826. Validation experiment was conducted to verify developed model through feeding rate controllable equipment. The results showed that when the feeding rate was between 0.3-4.1 kg/s, the absolute deviation between measured processing loss and calculated value was in the range of 0.04%-0.91%. It indicated that the developed quadratic model was accurate. It is concluded that the developed model could be capable of predicting the processing loss for the tested machine.