Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

A John Deere 9860 STS combine equipped with an 11 m (36 ft) wide draper header and GreenStar yield mapping system was used to evaluate the impact of automatic feedrate and steering control systems on combine harvesting efficiency while operating in soft white wheat. Five operators were used to evaluate the feedrate control system and the combination of feedrate and steering control systems. A benchmark for each operator was established while he had complete control of the combine. Data were gathered with the Greenstar yield mapping system and DGPS receiver during harvest. Harvest efficiency was evaluated based on improvement in material capacity and ground speed and the variability of those two items. Though there were some differences among operators, the automatic feedrate control system resulted in an average material capacity increase of 1.7 Mg/h (61 bu/h {5.3%}). Using the automatic steering control in conjunction with the automatic feedrate control resulted in a slight (0.2 Mg/h {9 bu/h}) average decrease in material capacity relative to using the automatic feedrate only. The slight average decrease may be a result of low operating speeds at which the operator may do a better job of using the full header width. The automatic feedrate control system resulted in more ground speed and feedrate variation, as measured by the standard deviation and interquartile range, compared to the standard operator.