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Evaluation and Use of an In-Field Grain Handling Simulation

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  023105,  2002 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.10457) @2002
Authors:   A.C. Hansen, E.R. Benson, J.F. Reid, R.H. Hornbaker
Keywords:   ARENA, combine harvesters, computer simulation, crop management, grain handling, farming systems, field crops, harvesting, simulation modeling

The interaction of in-field grain handling machines is relatively complex, especially when multiple combines, grain carts and transport trucks are involved. Simulation modeling is a tool that can be used to investigate the performance of a grain handling system and to identify bottlenecks. A model has been created using the ARENA manufacturing simulation software. The objective of this paper is to present results from applying the model to selected combinations of machinery for wheat and corn harvesting. These results show that there are significant differences in harvesting time caused by different numbers of combines and carts operating together. Having more carts than required to prevent the combines from having to stop yields no further improvement in efficiency.

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