Older header models generally produced lower trash levels than the latest models of the same brand. This would occupy space exceeding 100,000 tonnes of paddy in a season with a large shortfall of storage space for the 1.38 million tonne bumper crop. Harvester performance and evaluations were carried out in conjunction with these exercises. Average age of rice headers from 84 participants survey returns was 10 years. Field data were reduced to sets of graphs and equations from statistical analysis.
Some key points follow.
This season stripperfronts generally had a somewhat higher trash level than cutterbars, especially in lodged conditions. Stripperfronts facilitate use of raspbar drums. The problem of high grain losses with stripperfronts needs to be addressed by the makers. Harvester operators have to compromise on speed however, because grain losses escalate at higher forward speeds and in lodged crop conditions. Of all the header adjustments, fan speed setting was the most critical factor on trash.