ANSI/ASAE S396.

2 APR1990 (R2009)
Combine Capacity and Performance Test Procedure

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ANSI/ASAE S396.2 APR1990 (R2009)
Revision approved January 1991; reaffirmed February 2009 as an American National Standard
Combine Capacity and Performance Test Procedure
Developed by the ASAE Grain Harvesting Committee; approved by the
Power and Machinery Division Standards Committee; adopted by ASAE
as a Tentative Standard March 1979; reconfirmed December 1979;
reclassified as a full Standard February 1981; reconfirmed December
1985; revised March 1988; approved as an American National Standard
August 1988; revised April 1990; revision approved by ANSI January
1991; reaffirmed by ASAE December 1994, December 1995, December
1996; reaffirmed by ANSI March 1998; reaffirmed by ASAE December
2001, February 2004; reaffirmed by ANSI March 2004; reaffirmed by
ASABE and ANSI February 2009.
Keywords: Capacity, Combine, Harvesting, Test procedure
1 Purpose and scope
1.1 This Standard is intended to provide the basic requirements for a
uniform procedure for measuring and reporting combine capacity, as
defined in American National Standard ANSI/ASAE S343, Terminology
for Combines and Grain Harvesting. Because crop conditions are
variable and uncontrollable, the procedure provides only for the
comparative testing of one combine, or one combine configuration,
relative to another, in a particular crop condition.
1.2 In addition to measuring and reporting combine capacity, this
Standard is also intended to provide the basic requirements for
evaluating the uniformity of material spread from harvest residue
spreading or chopping device(s). Harvest residue spreaders may be
evaluated for spreading either straw or chaff separately or as a system
for spreading both together.
2 Terminology
2.1 Test combine: The combine or combine configuration to be tested.
2.2 Comparison combine: The combine or combine configuration with
which the test combine is being compared.
2.3 Test run: The events necessary to record a single set of
measurements.
2.4 Test: All the events and data of the test combine and the comparison
combine that define their performance during the test runs on each
combine.
2.5 Catch: Any material collected during a test run.
3 Selection of crop
3.1 Capacity tests should preferably be conducted in crops and
conditions listed in ANSI/ASAE Standard S343, Terminology for
Combines and Grain Harvesting. Where test data indicate that such
requirements have not been adhered to, the reasons for departures shall
be stated in the test report.
3.2 Crops used for tests shall be reasonably uniform, free of disease,
weeds and other crops. They should in general be standing well. If local
climatic conditions or local practices lead to different conditions typical of
the locality (for instance widespread lodging or the windrowing of crops),
the circumstances should be stated in the test report.
4 Machines
4.1 The test combine shall be fully identified as to make, model, year
and other pertinent information. The terminology and methods of
measurement defined by ANSI/ASAE Standard S343, Terminology for
Combines and Grain Harvesting, shall be used where relevant.
ASABE STANDARDS 2009 ANSIASAE S396.2 APR1990 R2009
4.2 The comparison combine shall be similarly identified, functionally
sound and one which has been available on the open market for a
continuous period of at least one year prior to the date of the test.
4.3 At the time of the test, both test and comparison combines shall be
in good working order with all working surfaces free of thick or sticky
paint, rust, grease, or other impediments to smooth operation. A run-in
period of 25 h is required to ensure this condition on a new combine, or
one that has not been used recently.
4.4 Immediately prior to testing, both test and comparison combines
should be adjusted for optimum performance in the same piece of crop
that will be used for the tests. Pretest adjustments should aim for
optimum performance with harvesting conditions typical of normal
practice in the relevant locality. Care should be taken to ensure that the
dockage level in the clean grain sample of the test combine is similar to
that of the comparison combine. Persons responsible for adjusting the
machines shall be given adequate time and opportunity to do so, with
regard to the time requirements of Section 6Test Procedures, for
conduct of the test proper. They shall also be responsible for deciding
when the optimum adjustments have been attained.
4.5 No operator adjustment of the threshing, separating, or cleaning
devices and header height shall be permitted during a test on either
combine.
5 Collection of samples
5.1 Apparatus for catching crop material discharged from the combine
shall be built and operated so that
5.1.1 The whole of the effluent from the combine is caught during the
catch period.
5.1.2 The grain catch may be delayed after initiation of material-other-
than-grain, MOG, catch to compensate for the time the grain spends in
the conveyor. This circumstance must be reported.
5.1.3 Catches are started and stopped without interrupting combine
mechanisms or forward travel.
5.1.4 The apparatus does not significantly interfere with the combines
normal operation; for instance, with the flow of air from the cleaning
mechanism.
5.1.5 Catches are taken from the points of normal discharge from the
combines separating and primary cleaning mechanisms at the normal
rate of discharge. Conveyor-type apparatus for improving the
accessibility of the catch points is permitted, but must be such as to
cause no change in the condition of the crop material as discharged from
the combine.
5.1.6 Samples of grain for analysis can be taken by passing a container
through the stream of grain at the catching point during or immediately
after taking the main catch. Storage containers shall be completely filled,
and air-tight.
6 Test procedure
6.1 Prior to each catch period, the combine shall operate for such
distance as the test supervisor may deem necessary to ensure that
conditions have become stabilized throughout the relevant mechanisms.
6.2 A test shall consist of at least 5 test runs, and preferably not less
than 7.
6.3 During this period and during the catching periods, the full gathering
width of the header shall be utilized. If the crop is windrowed, the
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windrow(s) should preferably be symmetrical and shall be picked up
wholly and smoothly to ensure flow of crop across substantially the full
width of the thresher.
6.4 Field speed and compensatory header adjustments shall be made
only between test runs. The only adjustments permitted are reel speed,
height, or fore-and-aft settings, or pick-up speed to accommodate
differences in ground speed. No adjustment of header height is permitted
either during or between test runs within a specific test.
6.5 Field speeds for test runs should be selected to start below the
speed used during the pretest adjustment period and should be carried
high enough to perceptibly indicate that maximum feasible feed rate has
been reached. The limiting factor on feed rate such as engine overload,
feeding difficulty, etc., should be noted and recorded in the test report.
6.6 The time of day selected for the test shall be when crop conditions
are most stable, usually the several hours after noon. Comparative tests
shall be conducted as closely as possible to the same time and location
in the field. Differing circumstances should be reported.
6.7 The catch may be timed for purposes of control, but must be at least
9 m (30 ft) in length. Exceptions shall be noted, and reasons shall be
given.
6.8 The test supervisor may discard attempted test runs at the time of
test if in his judgment there is obvious reason to do so; e.g., functional
failure, detrimental foreign objects entering combine, overfilling or
spillage from catch receptacle, etc. Otherwise the results of all test runs
made shall be entered on the test report, and comments shall be
included on any unusual circumstance.
6.9 At least 3 samples of not less than 1 L shall be taken through the
test period for grain analysis.
6.10 Straw samples for moisture testing shall be at least three in number
and taken throughout the test period. They should be taken from the
straw discharged immediately after the end of the catch period and
stored in completely-filled, air-tight containers until analyzed.
Requirements are similar with regard to straw moisture measurements
made by portable meter.
7 Processing of catches
7.1 Separating and cleaning should be as fully mechanized as
practicable to ensure consistency. Feeding of crop should aim for
relatively low feed rates, to retain at least 99% of the free grain contained
in the samples before processing. Manual sorting of cleaned grain should
be minimized.
7.2 In the event that USDA grade No. 2 grain or seed standards are not
met, the sample should be evaluated by USDA standard techniques.
These techniques may be found in USDA publication, Official United
States Standards for Grain #810. In countries other than the United
States, a similar government procedure should be followed.
8 Test reporting
8.1 The test file should include all original data and measurements
recorded for both test and comparison combines. These data shall
include the following:
8.1.1 Location of test site.
8.1.2 Date and time of starting and stopping tests.
8.1.3 Combine and header identifications.
8.1.4 Crop, variety, crop conditions, and a reasonable estimate of
average yield.
8.1.5 Combine settings and adjustments, particularly those relevant to
the crop-handling mechanisms.
8.1.6 Details from the test runs recorded as follows:
8.1.6.1 Duration in seconds to nearest 0.1 s.
8.1.6.2 Field speed in kilometers per hour (miles per hour) to the nearest
0.1 km/h (0.1 mph).
2 ANSIASAE S396.2 APR1990 R2009
8.1.6.3 Grain catch in kilograms (pounds) to the nearest 0.2 kg (0.5 lb).
8.1.6.4 Separator mechanism catch in kilograms (pounds) to the nearest
0.05 kg (0.1 lb).
8.1.6.5 Cleaning mechanism catch in kilograms (pounds) to the nearest
0.05 kg (0.1 lb).
8.1.6.6 Free grain from separator in kilograms (pounds) to the nearest
0.005 kg (0.01 lb) up to 2 kg (5 lb) and to nearest 0.05 kg (0.1 lb)
thereafter.
8.1.6.7 Free grain weight from cleaning mechanism in kilograms
(pounds) to the nearest 0.005 kg (0.01 lb) up to 2 kg (5 lb) and to the
nearest 0.05 kg (0.1 lb) thereafter.
8.1.6.8 Grain weight from rethreshed MOG catches in kilograms
(pounds) to the nearest 0.005 kg (0.01 lb) up to 2 kg (5 lb) and to the
nearest 0.05 kg (0.1 lb) thereafter.
8.1.7 Moisture content of grain and straw samples expressed on the wet
basis to the nearest whole percentage, and method of measurement.
8.1.8 Sample constituents if required by paragraph 7.2.
8.2 The report shall include sections in which test supervisor shall record
details specified above together with notes of unusual changes in
weather or other conditions during the tests, and general comments on
the performance of the combines and the conduct of the tests.
9 Calculations
9.1 Calculations for each test run on each combine shall include these
items as defined in ANSI/ASAE Standard S343, Terminology for
Combines and Grain Harvesting:
9.1.1 The total feed rate, MOG feed rate, and grain feed rate in metric
tons per hour (pounds per minute).
9.1.2 The processing losses recorded to the nearest 0.1%.
9.1.3 The MOG/grain ratio for the crop, and the mean value from all runs
for each combine.
9.1.4 The mean moisture contents of the grain and MOG samples.
9.2 The resulting calculations shall be tabulated in the test report.
10 Presentation of results
10.1 Graphs with linear scales are preferred for presentation of
processing loss results, with total feed rate, MOG feed rate or grain feed
rate specified as the horizontal coordinate and percentage loss as the
vertical coordinate. The data points for each test run shall be plotted on
the graphs. The MOG feed rate is preferred in small cereal grains.
However, if there is good reason for expressing results otherwise, e.g.,
the clean grain elevator was plugged with grain thus affecting shoe
performance, a full explanation is required, and the graphs supplied to
illustrate the effects of this phenomenon shall be in addition to those
plotted against MOG feed rate.
10.2 The capacity of each combine shall be the feed rate level at which
the loss curve intersects the specified level of loss, as defined in ANSI/
ASAE Standard S343, Terminology for Combines and Grain Harvesting.
11 Evaluation of combine residue spreaders
11.1 The performance of combine harvester residue spreaders may be
evaluated either in the field or in the lab. Results may be reported using
one of two methods, depending on the criteria of the evaluation; 1) mass
per unit of width method reported as a histogram over the width of
spread, or 2) percent of ground covered method expressed as a
histogram over the width of spread. The mass per unit of width method
is acceptable for either field or laboratory evaluations; whereas, the
percent of ground covered method is acceptable for only field
evaluations. The mass per unit of width method is best used when
evaluating performance of one spreader or spreading system (straw plus
chaff) relative to others, to optimize the adjustment or for wind erosion
ASABE STANDARDS 2009
control. The percent of ground covered method is best used when
relating the data to water erosion control or conservation tillage practices.
11.2 The performance of a combine residue spreader may be affected
by distribution of the residue across the inlet to the spreader. Therefore,
in each evaluation the make and model of the combine shall be reported.
If the distribution of material across the inlet to the spreader is judged not
to be uniform, then the material distribution across the width of the
spreader inlet should also be evaluated and reported.
11.3 Field evaluation. Evaluation of spreading systems in the field
should be limited to conditions with little or no wind. If there is a wind, the
wind direction relative to the direction of travel and the wind velocity
should be reported. Evaluations should be made at feed rates of at least
50% of the maximum capacity of the combine.
11.3.1 Mass per unit of width method. The total combine harvest
residue can be measured in the field using the mass per unit of width
method. Before harvest, cut a 1 m wide strip perpendicular to the
direction of combine travel and place a 1 m wide canvas on the ground.
The texture of the canvas should be rough enough to inhibit material
sliding. The canvas should be marked 0.5 m wide sections. After the
combine has passed over the canvas, the straw and chaff should be
collected from each of the marked sections, weighed to nearest 0.1 kg
and recorded.
11.3.2 Percent of ground covered method. The percent of ground
covered with residue can be measured in the field using the line transect
method. The width of spread should be divided into 0.5 m wide sections.
A tape measure or any device with markings along the length can be
used. For each section a line or tape is laid across the section at an
angle across the width of the section. The markings and angle should be
consistent for all sections. The frequency with which the markings on one
side of the tape intersects residue is totaled for each 0.5 m section
across the width of spread. For each section divide the number of
residue intersections by the total number of markings in each section and
multiply by 100 to arrive at the percent of ground covered.
11.3.3 Reporting method. The type of crop material and the MOG feed
rate should be reported, expressed in metric tons per hour. The
distribution results should be reported as a histogram showing the
material in each section as a percent of the total material collected or the
mean percent ground covered, over the maximum width of spread,
defined as the outer sections each containing at least 1% of the total
material. The coefficient of variation, CV, may also be calculated and
reported. The CV is the standard deviation of the material in each
successive 0.5 m section across the spread pattern expressed as a
percent of the mean amount of material from all the section(s) over the
spread width. The lower the CV, the more uniform the spread pattern.
11.4 Lab evaluation. Evaluations may be made of the straw or chaff
spreader or the total straw and chaff spreading system. When in the lab,
the combine should be stationary with material fed from conveyor belts at
a feed rate of at least 50% of the maximum capacity of the combine.
11.4.1 Chaff spreader(s). To evaluate the chaff spread distribution, the
straw discharge should be directed or conveyed away so as not to
interfere with discharge of the chaff spreader(s). The area over which the
chaff is to be spread should be premarked in a pattern with divisions over
the width at every 0.5 m. The surface of the area should be rough
enough to inhibit material from sliding, or the area may be covered with
containers each 0.5 m wide and long enough to catch the chaff
discharged from the machine. The height of the containers should not
ASABE STANDARDS 2009 ANSIASAE S396.2 APR1990 R2009
exceed 100 mm. After running a suitable amount of material through the
combine and chaff spreader, the chaff should be collected from each of
the containers or the marked sections, weighed to nearest 0.1 kg and
recorded.
11.4.2 Straw spreader(s) or straw chopper(s). To evaluate the straw
spreader(s), the chaff discharge should be caught or conveyed away so
as not to interfere with discharge of the straw spreader. The area over
which the straw is to be spread should be premarked in a pattern with
divisions over the width at every 0.5 m. The surface of the area should
be rough enough to inhibit material from sliding, or the area may be
covered with containers each 0.5 m wide and long enough to catch the
straw discharged from the machine. The height of the containers should
not exceed 100 mm. After running a suitable amount of material through
the combine and straw spreader, the straw should be collected from each
of the containers or the marked sections, weighed to the nearest 0.1 kg
and recorded.
11.4.3 Total harvest residue spreader(s). To evaluate the total harvest
residue spread distribution, the area over which the straw and chaff are
to be spread should be premarked in a pattern with divisions over the
width at every 0.5 m. The surface of the area should be rough enough
to inhibit material from sliding, or the area may be covered with
containers each 0.5 m wide and long enough to catch the straw and chaff
discharged from the machine. The height of the containers should not
exceed 100 mm. After running a suitable amount of material through the
combine, the straw and chaff should be collected from each of the
containers or the marked sections, weighed to nearest 0.1 kg and
recorded.
11.4.4 Reporting method. The crop (wheat, barley, soybeans, etc.), and
type of material (chaff, straw, or total residue) feed rate should be
reported, expressed in metric tons per hour. The distribution results
should be reported as a histogram showing the material in each section
as a percent of the total material collected over the maximum width of
spread, defined as the outer sections each containing at least 1% of the
total material collected. The coefficient of variation, CV, may also be
calculated and reported. The CV is the standard deviation of the material
in each successive 0.5 m section across the spread pattern expressed as
a percent of the mean amount of material from all sections over the
spread width. The lower the CV, the more uniform the spread pattern.
11.5 In addition to the material distribution over the spread width, it is
important to consider the material distribution over the width of crop
harvested. In this case use techniques similar to those presented in
ASAE Standard S387, Test Procedure for Measuring Deposits and
Airborne Spray from Ground Swath Sprayers.
11.6 If the particle size of the material distributed is important, use the
length of cut techniques presented in American National Standard ANSI/
ASAE S424, Method of Determining and Expressing Particle Size of
Chopped Forage Materials by Screening.
Cited Standards:
ANSI/ASAE S343, Terminology for Combines and Grain Harvesting
ANSI/ASAE S424, Method of Determining and Expressing Particle Size
of Chopped Forage Materials by Screening
ASAE S387, Test Procedure for Measuring Deposits and Airborne Spray
from Ground Swath Sprayers
USDA 810, Official United States Standards for Grains
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