Development of a precision, resource-efficient harvesting system

Abstract

With the help of precision equipment, we optimize the quantity and quality of harvest for cost optimization and the sustainability of agriculture. Within the framework of our project, an optimized harvesting methodology with technical and logistical descriptions will be finalized, which will enable more efficient resource use, minimize soil degradation associated with compaction, and make production more sustainable. Patent claims: 1.) Development of a precision, resource-efficient harvesting system Especially during the autumn harvest season, adverse weather conditions also make harvesting difficult. This has an adverse effect on the efficiency of work on the one hand and on the quality of the harvested crop on the other. Emptying combine harvesters stationary accounts for 20-25 % of total working time for cereals. Taking into account other literature sources, the rate of work using stationary emptying was 50-55% (about 4-4.5 hours). In the case of on-the-go emptying, harvest emptying time ratio increased by 30-40% (5.3-5.8 hours). This is due to the fact that the combine did not go out to the edge of the field to empty (3-5% increase), significantly reduced idle time with full seed tanks, and the operation of harvesting and emptying appeared in one go. With the help of on-the-go emptying, the area harvested at the optimal time could be increased by 30-40% for maize. A further increase in efficiency is achieved by using a machine synchronization system between combine harvesters and transport vehicles on the field (transfer trucks). The machine synchronization system sends an alarm to the tractor taking into account the fullness of the core tank of the combine, directing it to a specific location within the field, taking into account the predetermined routes. At the predetermined "unloading point", synchronization between the two machines begins. The combine continues to harvest, in addition to giving the operator the opportunity to control the speed of the tractor. During the on-the-go emptying, the two machines travel on the same track, so the possibility of emptying to the wrong spot - generation loss - is eliminated. The machine synchronization system operates at speeds between 0.5 and 16 km / h, hence it can cover the harvest of the entire crop range. The combine harvester can see the filling status of the transfer trolley with the help of the camera system mounted on the delivery auger, with the help of which we are also able to optimize the filling status of the transfer truck. With the help of the application of the system, time, fuel and unnecessary soil compaction are avoided. The utilisation of transport vehicles is also improving, which also means a reduction in the necessary logistical capacity. Modem harvesters are equipped with a high-efficiency swath adapter. Taking these into account, by-product harvesting (baling) can also be carried out with high speed and area performance. Precision harvesting also includes a technological development which records the weight and position of bales to be collected, which makes it possible to optimize the logistics operation during loading.

Description

[0001] Patent description

[0002] 1) Title of invention:

[0003] Development of a precision, resource-efficient harvesting system

[0004] 2) Name of technical area:

[0005] Natural science - agricultural science

[0006] 3) Presentation of the state of the technology of which the applicant is acquainted with such a state of the art as close to the invention by presenting solutions, and possibly sources, to help understand the invention and assess its patentability:

[0007] In today's market economy, in order to remain competitive, all areas must take advantage of the opportunities offered by development, technology and technological achievements.

[0008] This is no different in the agricultural sector, as the world's population has grown significantly in the last century. The economy needs to respond to this rapidly increasing demand from the food industry, producing more and more food more cost-effectively. Well- thought-out agricultural logistics play a major role in improving efficiency. After all, the reconciliation of the increasingly stringent environmental, sustainability, agrotechnics and profitable production can only be achieved with a logistically very well-organized and high- quality technical-mechanization background connecting and serving the production processes.

[0009] One simple example, during a harvest, cooperation between the tractor and the combine is essential, if it does not work smoothly, the work is actually stationary and even an hour wasted can result in significant loss. We can also see that year after year, the increasingly extreme weather, which most affects the success of production, highlights the importance of agricultural logistics. For example, wheat must be harvested within ten days of ripening and transported to the appropriate storage location. If the forecast shows significant rainfall, it is necessary to start harvesting quickly, as due to drying costs (approximately HUF 6-800 per tonne), the production cost may exceed the selling price. Precisely because of the unpredictability of the weather, these ten days can be significantly shortened with proper organization. For this reason, it is especially important that each workflow can be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

[0010] The examples presented above clearly show how important it is to implement wellfunctioning logistics solutions into agricultural practice. One such option is precision farming.

[0011] 4) Indication of the task to be solved with the invention:

[0012] The project examines technologies for harvesting arable crops (mainly maize or other cereal crops). The aim of our development is to test a new harvesting procedure. The main goal is to reduce harvesting time and costs while also harvesting the crop in the best possible quality.

[0013] In today's agricultural practice, precision farming is gaining more and more ground. This process takes place in arable crop production technology, including harvesting. Both foreign and domestic research and practical developments point towards the delimitation of homogeneous spots within the field. Harvesting is the most tangible operation. It is then that the result of the work executed during the season in the entire production process is realized for the farmer. It is important to be able to harvest as much of the produced crop as possible, the loss of which should be as small as possible both in quantity and quality. Yield mapping is one of the cornerstones of precision fanning. The basis of the precision crop management program are the long-term available yield maps, with the help of which we can draw conclusions about the fertility of fields and field patches. Current measurement systems record data at 500-600 points per hectare. Yield maps are also the basis for precision crop production businesses to produce various income and profitability maps. Nowadays, competitiveness is based on the fact that the farmer's decision should be well-founded in terms of the intensity to be achieved within the field during the cultivation of the given crop. In Hungary, farm structure is currently fragmented, the distances between fields and the distances between the fields and the places where the crops are stored are large. A problem that often arises is that it is useless to have harvesters suitable for high performance, if the logistical capacity is not available and the target machine has to wait for a longer or shorter time. This causes a significant increase in costs for economic organizations. Today, all leading agricultural machine manufacturers have machine systems that meet the requirements of precision farming. Continuous precise documentation plays a significant role in site-specific management, as processes can be reviewed and corrected later, thus improving the quality of construction and cost-effectiveness.

[0014] With the help of precision machines, we optimize the quantity and quality of the harvest for cost optimization and sustainable agriculture. Within the framework of our project, an optimized harvesting methodology with technical and logistical descriptions will be finalized, which will enable more efficient resource use, minimize soil degradation associated with compaction, and make production more sustainable.

[0015] 5) Solving the task:

[0016] Our project looks at cereal harvesting, especially maize. With the new, alternative harvest results, we expect to significantly improve both quality and quantity (with loss minimization). On-the-go emptying is expected to increase the area harvested at the optimal time for maize by 30-40%. Emptying the harvesters on the go can save 20-25% of working time for cereals. Ultimately, less working time induces a more optimal harvest, and harvest times can be better adjusted to more ideal weather conditions, resulting in quality improvements and revenue gains. Less harvest time can also significantly reduce machine costs by up to 20%.

[0017] Harvesting has always played an important role in agriculture. It is then that the result of the work done in the entire season is realized for the farmer. It is important to be able to harvest as much of the produced crop as possible, the loss of which should be as small as possible both in quantity and quality. Yield mapping is one of the cornerstones of precision farming. The basis of the precision crop management program is the long time series (minimum 5 years) available yield maps, with the help of which we can draw conclusions about the fertility of the fields and field spots. Current yield measurement systems record data at 500-600 points per hectare. Yield maps are also the basis for precision crop production businesses to produce various income and profitability maps. Nowadays, competitiveness is based on the fact that the farmer's decision should be well-founded in terms of the intensity to be achieved within the field during the cultivation of the given crop. In Hungary, the farm structure is currently fragmented, the distances between the fields and the distances between the fields and the places where the crops are stored are large. The problem often arises that it is useless to have harvesters suitable for high performance, if the logistical capacity is not available and the target machine has to wait for a longer or shorter time. This causes a significant increase in costs for economic organizations.

[0018] Today, all leading agricultural machine manufacturers have machine systems that meet the requirements of precision farming. In addition to fast, accurate and efficient operation, correct documentation is becoming increasingly important in site-specific farming, as this is the only way consultancy organizations can carry out complex correlation analyses determining the elements based on data collection.

[0019] With the help of precision machines, we optimize the quantity and quality of the harvest for cost optimization and sustainable agriculture. Within the framework of our project, an optimized harvesting methodology with technical and logistical descriptions will be finalized, which will enable more efficient resource use, minimize soil degradation associated with compaction, and make production more sustainable.

[0020] 6.) Details of one or more ways in which the invention is implemented in support of the scope of the patent:

[0021] To carry out harvesting at the optimal time with high efficiency, the activity presented by us provides an alternative solution. In addition to the production of higher quality products, more efficient resource management and thus increasing competitiveness are realized. In the case of traditional harvesting technologies, feedback is relatively modest. Of the machine operation data, we only have data on daily diesel consumption. During precision harvesting, modem harvesters collect large amounts of data that form the basis for yield, grain moisture and income maps. In addition, we get a real picture of several technical parameters, e.g. we can carry out working time mapping of the utilization and operation data of the machine.

[0022] Especially during the autumn harvest season, adverse weather conditions also make harvesting difficult. This has an adverse effect on the efficiency of work on the one hand and on the quality of the harvested crop on the other. Emptying combine harvesters stationarily accounts for 20- 25 % of total working time for cereals. Taking into account other literature sources, the rate of work using stationary emptying was 50-55% (about 4-4.5 hours). In the case of on-the-go emptying, harvesting time ratio increased by 30-40% (5.3-5.8 hours). This is due to the fact that the combine did not go out to the edge of the field to empty (3-5% increase), significantly reduced idle time with full seed tanks, and the operation of harvesting and emptying appeared in one go. With the help of on-the-go emptying, the area harvested at the optimal time could be increased by 30-40% for maize.

[0023] A further increase in efficiency is achieved by using a machine synchronization system between combine harvesters and transport vehicles on the field (transfer trucks). The machine synchronization system sends an alarm to the tractor taking into account the fullness of the core tank of the combine, directing it to a specific location within the field, taking into account the predetermined routes. At the predetermined "unloading point", synchronization between the two machines begins. The combine continues to harvest, in addition to giving the operator the opportunity to control the speed of the tractor. During the on-the-go emptying, the two machines travel on the same track, so the possibility of by-emptying - resulting in loss - is eliminated. The machine synchronization system operates at speeds between 0.5 and 16 km / h, hence it can cover the entire crop range. The combine harvester can see the filling status of the transfer trolley with the help of the camera system mounted on the delivery auger, with the help of which we are also able to optimize the filling status of the transfer truck. With the help of the application of the system, time, fuel and unnecessary soil compaction are avoided. The utilization of transport vehicles is also improving, which also means a reduction in the necessary logistical capacity.

[0024] Modem harvesters are equipped with a high-efficiency swath adapter. Taking these into account, by-product harvesting (baling) can also be carried out with high speed and area performance. Precision harvesting also includes a technological development during which the weight and position of the bales to be collected is recorded, which makes it possible to optimize the logistics operation during bale loading.

[0025] Economic analysis is very important for both external and internal stakeholders of companies, so that owners and external actors have more reliable information at their disposal with which they can better base their decisions. Specifically, the information quantifies and analyzes the circumstances that affect the actions of the enterprise. Based on historical data, we have the opportunity to influence future data based on economic indicators. Data necessary for economic analysis can be accounted, statistical, external internal information, technological data, current legislation.

[0026] In the development of any enterprise, continuous investment, renewal of its applied technology, continuous development, adaptation to competitors and developments necessary to maintain a leading position at the market are essential. Investment is a technical, economical and financial activity consisting in the purchase or establishment of tangible assets. Among investments, we distinguished between internal, i.e. equity or debt capital use, but both financing options have advantages and disadvantages. (APATI, 2014)

[0027] Three rates of return are calculated:

[0028] • Net present value of income (NPV)

[0029] • Discounted payback period (DPP)

[0030] • Internal rate of return (IRR)

[0031] With the help of these economic indicators, we can provide answers to the economic situation of organizations. Our investigations cover the return on investment of the transfer trolley and the machine synchronization system - how much a given machine change costs within a given area and how long it takes to transition it. We show that before launching an investment, it is important to keep in mind economies of scale as well, as there is a plant size where the development of a technology requiring such high investment costs will not pay off in the foreseeable future.

[0032] In our analyses, we compared two harvesting technologies. In the case of the traditional emptying technology - standing at the end of the field - it was possible to harvest 50 hectares per day, while the harvesting method, which empties continuously while driving with a transfer trolley and machine synchronization, had a daily output of 65 hectares resulting in a 30% higher area.

[0033] Based on the sowing structures and daily area performances, the required days for the summer and autumn harvest periods have been determined. Both in summer and autumn, under optimal conditions, harvesting activities can be carried out for 20-20 days on average over the years. Knowing all this, we determined the overcapacities and shortages for all crop structures. By using transfer truck technology, emerging capacity shortages can be eliminated or existing overcapacities can be further increased.

[0034] Excess capacities can be rented out. Between the two types of harvesting technology, we realized an additional income of between HUF 5,265 and 8,775 thousand for the benefit of the transfer truck method, in addition to bringing certain sowing structures into cultivation.

[0035] Capacity shortages result in different losses of quantity and / or quality during harvesting for all crops examined. In the case of the three crop structure variants examined, the amount varies between HUF 5,920 and 34,320 thousand per year. With renting services, the internal rate of return varies between 51 and 153 % for different sowing structures, the discounted net surplus income between HUF 58,572 and 197,512 thousand, and the dynamic payback period between 1 and 2 years.

[0036] Without providing renting services, usage "only" for own land, taking into account the same crop structures, the internal rate of return varies between 10 and 132%, the discounted additional income between HUF 95.68 and 168.126 thousand, and the dynamic payback period between 1 and 5 years.

[0037] 7.) An explanation of how the invention can be used in industry, if it is not apparent from the nature or description of the invention:

[0038] As described in the previous points, applicability in agriculture is substantiated.

[0039] 8) Description of the advantages of the invention compared to the state of the current technologies

[0040] The innovative solution reduces growers' dependence on weather for optimized harvests take less time, in addition to timely harvests resulting in higher quality crops. The fewer man-hours spent on harvesting also means resource optimization, thus reducing the emissions, fuel consumption and service costs of machine connections. The application of precision harvesting systems is becoming increasingly important in the entire Hungarian crop production. The possibility' of 5-600 measuring points per hectare provides a great advantage over current (traditional) end-of-the-line quantity measurement methods. During the application of precision methods, the obtained results are not averaged, they are collected and processed site-specificly, which becomes a primary factor in the development of site-specific farming systems later. High-performance harvesters suitable for precision data collection are available in vain if the logistics background is not optimal. By using transfer trolleys, emptying on-the-go and by incorporating the machine synchronization system into harvesting technology, we can increase both the length of useful working time within the day (1-1.5 hours / day) and the proportion of harvesting within the day (by 15-20%). This way, we are able to increase the quantity of crop harvested at the optimum time and quality. This beneficial effect can be extended to the entire .Hungarian crop production. To carry out harvesting at the optimal time with high efficiency, the activity presented by us provides an alternative solution. In addition to the production of higher quality products, more efficient resource management and thus increasing competitiveness are realized. For traditional harvesting technologies, feedback is relatively modest. Of the machine operation data, we only have data on daily diesel consumption. During precision harvesting, modem harvesters collect large amounts of data, the basis of form the yield, grain moisture and income maps. In addition, we get a real picture of several technical parameters, e.g. we can carry out working time mapping of the utilization and operation data of the machine. The basic condition for harvesting at the optimal time is the availability of adequate transport capacity. There is a problem of transporting produce over long distances for many farms engaged in plant production, which requires significant overcapacity to be set up.

[0041] Patent claims:

[0042] Development of a precision, resource-efficient harvesting system

Claims

Patent claim(s):1.) Development of a precision and resource-efficient harvesting system