Grain flow rate sensing for a 55 kW full-feed type multi-purpose combine

Moon-Chan Choi, Kyu-Ho Lee, Bo-Eun Jang, Yong-Joo Kim, Sun-Ok Chung, Jong-Soon Lee, Su-Kyeong Kim

Abstract


Real time sensing of crop yield is critical for a successful implementation of precision agriculture. Yield monitoring system is an optional component of a 55 kW multi-purpose combine harvester, developed in Korea, for both domestic and global markets, especially Asian countries where field sizes are relatively small. The aim of the present study was to fabricate and evaluate the performance of a grain flow sensor suitable to the mid-sized full-feed type combine for rice, soybean, and barley. Firstly, commercially available non-contact type sensing modules (optical, ultrasonic, laser, and microwave modules) were chosen for alternative candidates, to be further tested in a laboratory bench. Through the laboratory tests, the ultrasonic module was selected as a potential approach and the performance was improved by increasing the number of modules and their layout. Finally, the improved grain flow sensor was evaluated during field harvesting operation. Field tests with the improved grain flow sensor showed a good potential for rice (R2=0.85, RMSE=126.14 g/s), soybean (R2=0.78, RMSE=43.87 g/s), and barley (R2=0.83, RMSE=37.39 g/s). Further research would be necessary for improvement and commercialization, through various signal processing and field tests under different field and crop conditions.
Keywords: precision agriculture, combine harvester, yield monitoring system, sensor, grain flow rate
DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181105.2686

Citation: Choi M-C, Lee K-H, Jang B-E, Kim Y-J, Chung S-O, Lee J-S, et al. Grain flow rate sensing for a 55 kW full-feed type multi-purpose combine. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(5): 206–210.

Keywords


precision agriculture, combine harvester, yield monitoring system, sensor, grain flow rate

Full Text:

PDF

References


Kim Y K, Hong J T, Choe J S. Deflection characteristics of the rice stalk in harvesting operation by combine for multi-crops. Journal of Biosystems Engineering, 2003; 28(6): 485–490.

Chung S O, Park W K, Chang Y C, Lee D H, Park W P. Yield mapping of a small sized paddy field. Journal of Biosystems Engineering, 1999; 24(2): 131–144.

Chung S O, Choi M C, Lee K H, Kim Y J, Hong S J, Li M. Sensing technologies for grain crop yield monitoring system: a review. Journal of Biosystems Engineering, 2016; 41(4): 408–417.

Aslan S A. Grain flow model to simulate grain yield sensor response. Sensors, 2008; 8(2): 952–962.

Birrell S J, Sudduth K A, Borgelt S C. Comparison of sensors and techniques for crop yield mapping. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 1996; 14(2-3): 215–233.

Wang H, Bai X P, Liang H B. Proportional distribution method for estimating actual grain flow under combine harvester dynamics. Internat J Agric & Bioll Eng 2017; 10(4): 158–164.

Koichi S, Tsuneo K A. A mini grain-yield sensor and in-situ non-linear calibration impact-by-impact sensing to compensate for its own drift and to preserve non-linearity for enhanced accuracy. ASAE Paper No. 1111161. St. Joseph ASAE, 2011.

Jun J, Cong B, Liu C. Elimination of vibration noise from an impact-type grain mass flow sensor. Precision Agriculture, 2014; 15(6): 627–638.

Koichi S, Kawamura T, Horio H. Impact-based grain yield sensor with compensation for vibration and drift. Journal of JSAM, 2002; 64(5): 108–115.

Michihisa I, Toshikazu K, Lee C K, Mikio U, Masabiko S. Measurement of grain yields in Japanese paddy field. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 1999; 48(3): 293–300.

Zhan Z, Lia Y, Jin C, Xua J. Grain separation loss monitoring system in combine harvester. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2011; 76(2): 183–188.

Liang Z, Li Y M, Xu L, Zhao Z. Sensor for monitoring rice grain sieve losses in combine harvesters. Biosystems Engineering, 2016; 147: 51–66.

Crews H, Whitney J D, Salyani M, Schueller J K. Dynamic weighing to improve citrus yield mapping. 2001. ASAE Paper No. 11842001. St. Joseph ASAE, 2014.

Ehlert D. Measurement mass flow of potatoes for yield mapping. Precision Agriculture, 2000; 2(2): 119–130.

Lim J G, Kim G Y, Mo C G, Choi I C. Development and performance evaluation of falling-type dried-persimmon weight sorting system utilizing load cell. Journal of Biosystems Engineering, 2015; 40(4): 327–334.

Kim C, Choi M, Park T, Kim M, Seo K. Optimization of yield monitoring in harvest using a capacitive proximity sensor. Engineering in Agriculture, Environment and Food, 2016; 9: 151–157.

Arslan S, Feyzi I, Joseph N, Thomas G, Colvin S. Grain flow measurements with x-ray techniques. Computers and electronics in agriculture, 1999; 26(1): 65–80.

Khalilian A, Wolak F J, Dodd R B, Han Y J. Improved sensor mounting technology for cotton yield monitors. ASAE Paper No. 991052. St. Joseph ASAE, 1999.

Hummel J W, Drummond S T, Sudduth A K, Krumpelman M J. Sensing systems for site-specific assessment of corn plants. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Precision Agriculture. Madison, WI: ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, 2002.

Martel H, Savoie P. Sensors to measure forage mass flow and moisture continuously. ASAE Paper No. 991050. St. Joseph ASAE, 1999.

Wilkerson J B, Moody F H, Hart W E. Development and evaluation of a flow measurement device for cotton yield mapping. ASAE Paper No. 011172 St. Joseph ASAE, 2001.

Li J, Kong M, Xu C, Wang S, Fan Y. An Integrated instrumentation system for velocity, concentration and mass flow rate measurement of solid particles based on electrostatic and capacitance sensors. Sensors, 2015; 15(12): 31023–31035.

Raine A B, Aslam N, Underwood C P, Danaher S. Development of an ultrasonic airflow measurement device for ducted air. Sensors, 2015; 15(5): 10705–10722.

Chung S O, Sudduth K A, Drummond S T. Determining yield monitoring system delay time with geostatistical and data segmentation approaches. Transactions of the ASAE, 2002; 45(4): 915–926.

Dai H J, Zhao S, Jia Z, Chen T. Low-cost ultrasonic distance sensor arrays with networked error correction. Sensors, 2013; 13(9): 11818–11841.




Copyright (c) 2018



2023-2026 Copyright IJABE Editing and Publishing Office