A combine harvester is an important farm machine used for cutting the standing crop, subsequently threshing it, and cleaning the grains from straw. It performs the operations of reapers, threshers and cleaning in a single operation. Earlier, farmers harvested crops manually with the help of tools like sickle. It was time-consuming and also resulted in grain wastage. A combine harvester can quickly cover large areas and reduce crop loss. Also, a harvester needs to be operated on a paddy field before a super seeder is employed to plant crops for the next season.
The history of a harvester dates back to 1826 in Scotland when Patrick Bell invented a reaper, known as the Bell machine, to cut crops using the scissor principle. The first combine harvester was developed and patented by Hiram Moore in 1835 in the US. It could reap, thresh and winnow cereal grains. In the late 19th century, steam-powered combines were introduced as a huge advancement. They demanded less manual effort and did work faster. In the mid-1900s, the introduction of self-propelled combines took place, which could carry out all the tasks in one operation. They laid the foundation of modern-day combines.
The first combine was manufactured in India in 1970. With technological advancements, combine harvesters also progressed. Now, these machines have innovative features and smart technologies to enable precise harvesting operations.
A combine harvester can be classified into two types based on its power source. A self-propelled harvester has its own engine as a source of power to operate the machine and carry out harvesting. On the other hand, tractor combine harvesters use a tractor to derive its power for operations. Harvesters can also be categorized into different types based on the crop harvested, such as paddy, sugarcane, maize and wheat harvesters.
There are several brands offering high-quality combine harvesters in India. Thus, it could be overwhelming for farmers to choose a suitable for their farm. Following are the leading combine harvesters best suited for Indian farmers:
Mahindra HarvestMaster H12 4WD is a top-class harvester that offers excellent performance with multiple crops. It is a tractor-mounted harvester, demanding 57 - 65 HP. Its working width is 3690 mm, ensuring more coverage. This harvester model works efficiently with Mahindra Novo and Arjun tractors. Also, it can efficiently operate in both semi-wet and dry conditions. The key features of Mahindra HarvestMaster H12 4WD are superior cutter bar visibility, high ground clearance and dual pulley with a multi-speed option.
Preet 649 TMC can effortlessly harvest crops like sunflower, paddy, mustard, soyabean and wheat. This tractor combine harvester is compatible with a 60 – 75 HP tractor. It has a heavy-duty structure, allowing it to handle different field conditions easily. Its low turning radius makes it suitable for small fields. Also, it features easy-to-open elevators that make maintenance of the machine hassle-free. Preet 649 TMC has other noteworthy features like high ground clearance, good-quality bearings, easy-to-access levers and large grain tank capacity.
Landforce TDC-3900 uses premium engineering technology to offer high performance with hard-to-thresh, lodged or wet crops. It needs a 55 – 60 HP tractor for easy manoeuvrability in soft and wet fields. The size of its cutter bar (working width) is 3960 mm. It has a grain tank capacity of 850 kg. The main benefits of Landforce TDC-3900 are a small turning radius, thorough threshing, clear separation and low grain breakage.
Kubota DC-68G-HK is an effective paddy harvester that comes with a 68 HP turbocharged engine. This self-propelled harvester has a working width of 2245 mm. Also, it offers harvesting capacity of 5.75 - 10 acres per day. This harvester delivers clean, unbroken grains of top quality. It offers long-term durability and faster harvesting and thus ensures greater profitability.
This Claas multi-crop harvester has a powerful TATA engine delivering a power output of 76 HP. It has an effective cutting width of 2415 mm. Claas Dominator 40 TERRA TRAC offers clean separation with straw walker technology. Also, its rubber track roller unit allows it to operate easily in wet field conditions. The key features of this harvester model include a robust cutter bar, single-lever control, intelligent and ergonomic control panel and high-quality carbon-fibre roof.
Preet 849 Maize Special is a specially designed mini combine harvester that harvests maize crops efficiently. This self-propelled combine comes with a 76 HP engine and a cutter bar width of 3430 mm. This maize harvester has a small cutter bar that makes it perfect for small fields. Other unique features of the Preet 849 Maize Special include a robust gearbox, a large sieve area, oil-immersed brakes, hydraulic power steering and a large grain tank.
With a 100 HP turbocharged engine, this self-propelled harvester features many advanced features. As a wheat harvester, it offers quick operations and clean grains. It has a working width of 4267 mm. John Deere W70 SynchroSmart is a lightweight machine with a 6 Bat Reel. This model is popular among farmers because of its key features, such as an adjustable cutter bar, self-cleaning radiator, oil-immersed brakes, a synchromesh gearbox, and a straw management system. Its JDLink application offers a key alerts, monitoring and tracking system.
Swaraj 8200 is a powerful harvester with a 100 HP engine. It can easily harvest various crops, including soyabean, paddy and wheat, with a working width of 4200 mm. This harvester has Smart-E technology that provides key alerts regarding the health and performance of the machine. Its intelligent engine ensures ideal fuel consumption and higher productivity. Other unique features include top grain quality, more coverage and doorstep service.
Kartar 4000 Multicrop is ideal for crops like paddy and wheat. This multi-crop harvester has a 101 HP engine and a working width of 4199 mm. This model is highly durable and reliable as it is offered by the leading combine manufacturer in India. It can work faster thus harvesting more crop in a given period of time thus improving productivity. Its harvesting capacity is 4 acre/h (wheat) and 3 acre/h (paddy).
Shaktiman 3737 is a self-propelled harvester with a 173 HP Cummins engine. It is a popular sugarcane harvester with a range of advanced features. The harvester comes with an auto-cleaning system that cleans the radiator at regular intervals. Its operator cabin is air conditioned with joystick controls and an adjustable seat to provide comfort during long working hours. It comes with a double crop divider which helps in harvesting one row at a time. Also, for better alignment of infielder machine or during turning, this harvester has been provided with curved profile of the engine enclosure.
Buying a harvester involves a huge capital investment; thus, choosing a model that matches your requirements is very important. Tractorkarvan has a wide range of popular harvesters of top brands in India, along with their primary specifications and features. Also, you can compare harvesters to select the most suitable model for your farm and boost your harvesting productivity.