MODULE 1-Unit 5

AG ENG’G 1: Basic Farm Machineries and Mechanization and Water Management

Study Guide:

1. Read and understand every topic.

2. Be mindful in accomplishing the various activities of the module. Practice time management.
3. Be reminded that you are the learner so you must do the module on your own. You can seek help from classmates, but
the activities should be done individually.
4. You may contact me for any clarifications and questions regarding the topic.

Objectives:

By the end of this module, students are expected to:

1. Define and understand different terminologies associated to harvesting and threshing;
2. Differentiate threshing and harvesting; and
3. Be familiar with the different threshing and harvesting equipment and machineries.

Module 1: Agricultural Machineries in the Philippines

Unit 5 Harvesting and Threshing Machineries and Equipment
5.1 Harvesting and Threshing
5.2 Harvesting and Threshing Machineries

MODULE 1: AGRICULTURAL MACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
 UNIT V. HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT

HARVESTING
It is the operation of cutting, picking, plucking and digging or a combination of these operations for removing the crop from
under the ground or above the ground or removing the useful part
or fruits from plants.

Harvesting action can be done by four ways:

1) Slicing action with a sharp tool.
2) Tearing action with a rough serrated edge
3) High velocity single element impact with sharp or dull edge.
4) Two elements scissors type action.

Manual harvesting involves slicing and tearing action. Harvesting

can be done by:
(i) Manually operated tool
(ii) Animal drawn machine
(iii) Mechanically operated machine.

The crop type and expected harvest volume will determine the harvesting
method that is to be used. The harvesting method to be used is also affected
by the area (size of the field) to be harvested.

Harvesting by hand is however more time consuming and expensive than

mechanical harvesting and is not always practical or economically feasible.

There are a few related terms in connection with harvesting, which are as
below:
 Mower- a machine used to cut herbage crops and leave them in swath.
 Reaper- a machine used to cut grain crops.
 Reaper binder- a reaper, which cuts the crops and ties them into neat and uniform sheaves.
 Swath- material as left by the harvesting machine.
 Sickle- a curved steel blade having a handgrip and used for harvesting by manually.
 Windrow- a row of material formed by combining two or more swaths.
 Windrower- a machine used to cut crops and deliver them in a uniform manner in a row.

A. Mower
A.1. Cylinder mower: It has rotating helical blades
arranged in horizontal cylindrical form. With the
rotation of blades, forage or grasses are cut
continuously.

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
 A.2. Reciprocating mower: It is a mower with a
knife having sections that reciprocate against
stationary fingers. It is most common type of
mower used everywhere.

A.3. Horizontal rotary mower: It is a mower with

high-speed knife rotating in the horizontal plane.
Due to rotation of knife, the grasses and forage are
cut in uniform way

A.4. Gang mower: It is an assembly of two or more

ground driven cylinder mowers.

A.5. Flail mower: It is a mower with high-

speed swinging knives, operating either in a
horizontal plane or around a horizontal
cylinder.

B. Reaper

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
B.1) Vertical conveyer reaper (Self operated/Tractor mounted)
It is mostly used for harvesting paddy and wheat. The reaper is front mounted at the tractor, which can be lowered
and raised by the hydraulic control. It is powered by the PTO of the tractor. Crop is guided by the star wheel to the cutter
bar and held in vertical position by the springs. The crop is conveyed to the side by the conveyer belt.

Self-propelled vertical conveyer reaper Tractor mounted vertical conveyer reaper

B.2.) Vertical conveyer reaper (Power tiller operated)

It can be used for harvesting wheat and paddy. The reaper is front mounted on the power tiller. Power is transmitted
from the engine fly wheel to the reaper either through V belt or by providing gear box and propeller shafts. Crop is guided b y
the star wheels to the cutter bar and held in vertical position by the springs. The crop is conveyed to the side by the conveyor
belt.

C.) Reaper binder

It cuts and binds the crop simultaneously. It cuts the
crop at the height of about 10 cm from the ground level.

D.) Groundnut digger shaker

It is used for digging of groundnut crop. It is a tractor
mounted PTO operated machine, suited for harvesting of both erect
and spreading varieties of groundnut crop, grown in all types of soil.
It consists of digging blade and a spike tooth conveyor.

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
E.) Potato digger elevator
It is used for digging and
windrowing the potatoes. The machine
consists of cutting blade and elevator
roller chain of iron bars. The potatoes are
dug by the blade and lifted to a conveyor
which is under periodic shaking. The
potatoes are delivered at the rear of
machine and collected manually.

THRESHING
It is the process of detaching the grains from the panicle by means of impact or by rubbing action.

Thresher is a machine used to separate grains from the harvested crop and provide clean grain without much loss and
damage. During threshing, grain loss in terms of broken grain, unthreshed grain, blown grain, spilled grain etc. should be
minimum.

Types of Threshing Methods

A.) Based on power

 Manual – capacity varies from 30 to 50 kg/h
 Power - capacity varies from 300 to 500 kg/h

B.) Based on type of feeding

 Throw-in- entire crop is thrown into the cylinder
- major portion is threshed by initial impact or spikes of the cylinder
 Hold-on - holds the panicle end against the wire loop of the rotation

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
 C.) Based on flow of material
 Through flow - Threshed straw and separated
grain flow in a direction perpendicular to the
axis of the threshing cylinder
 Axial flow - Threshed straw and separated
grain flow in a direction parallel to the axis of
the threshing cylinder

Different type of thresher and their suitability for crops

The type of thresher is generally designed according to the type of threshing cylinder fitted with the machine. The major type
of threshers commercially available is as follows:

i. Drummy type. It consists of beaters mounted on a shaft which rotates inside a closed casing and concave.

ii. Hammer mill type. It is similar to dummy type but it is provided with aspirator type blower and sieve shaker
assembly for cleaning grains.

iii. Spike-tooth type. Spikes are mounted on the periphery of a cylinder that rotates inside a closed casing and concave. It
is provided with cleaning sieves and aspirator type blower.

iv. Raspbar type. Corrugated bars are mounted axially on the periphery of the cylinder. It is fitted with an upper casing
and an open type concave at the bottom of the cylinder. The cleaning system is provided with blower fan and straw walker.

v. Wire-loop type. Wire-loops are fitted on the periphery of a closed type cylinder and woven wire mesh type concave is
provided at the bottom.

vi. Axial flow type. It consists of spike tooth cylinder, woven-wire mesh concave and upper casing provided with helical
louvers.
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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
vii. Syndicator type. The cylinder consists of a flywheel with corrugation on its periphery and sides, which rotates inside a
closed easing and concave. The rims of the flywheel are fitted with chopping blades.

viii. Combine. It is a machine designed for harvesting, threshing, separating, cleaning and collecting grains while moving
through standing crops. Bagging arrangement may be provided with a pick-up attachment. The main functions of a combine
are:
(i) Cutting the standing crops
(ii) Feeding the cut crops to threshing unit
(iii) Threshing the crops
(iv) Cleaning the grains from straw
(v) Collecting the grains in a container.

The rice combine harvester (RCH) is a mobile rice harvesting machine that combines harvesting, threshing,
cleaning and bagging in one operation. This machine is climate change resilient and suitable for local conditions
and for major rice producing areas. It saves harvesting time as it can operate for up to 3 hectares per day.
The RCH also requires less labor and can ensure lower postharvest losses compared to manual harvesting.

Specifications:
Engine 65-85 hp diesel, water cooled
Drive system Rubber crawler track
-Width Minimum of 500 mm
Cutting system
-Height adjustment Hydraulic
-Width Minimum of 1,600 mm
Output system options Sack or bag type
Attachment Trailer
Labor requirement 2-3 persons

Features:
 Climate change resilient
 Saves on time and labor
 Suitable for local conditions and for major rice producing areas
 Ensures lower postharvest losses compared to manual harvesting

https://rcef.philmech.gov.ph/?page=harvestingandthreshing&action=combineHarvester

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
 MODULE 1-Unit 6
AG ENG’G 1: Basic Farm Machineries and Mechanization and Water Management

Study Guide:
1. Read and understand every topic.
2. Be mindful in accomplishing the various activities of the module. Practice time management.
3. Be reminded that you are the learner so you must do the module on your own. You can seek help from classmates, but
the activities should be done individually.
4. You may contact me for any clarifications and questions regarding the topic.

Objectives:
By the end of this module, students are expected to:
1. Define and understand different terminologies associated to postharvest; and
2. Be familiar with the different postharvest equipment and machineries.

Module 1: Agricultural Machineries in the Philippines

Unit 6 Postharvest Machineries and Equipment

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
 MODULE 1: AGRICULTURAL MACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT VI. POSTHARVEST MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT

Postharvest
Postharvest management can be defined as methods and
techniques applied to increase the shelf life of the
products. Postharvest activities include harvesting,
handling, storage, processing, packaging, transportation
and marketing.

Postharvest system should be thought of as

encompassing the delivery of a crop from the time and
place of harvest to the time and place of consumption, with
minimum loss, maximum efficiency and maximum return
for all involved.

Main Objectives of Applying Postharvest Technology

1) to maintain quality (appearance, texture, flavor and nutritive value)
2) to protect food safety
3) to reduce losses between harvest and consumption.

Postharvest Activities

Curing
It is technique where commodity is left in the field itself in a heap
under shade for few days. It is also an effective operation to
reduce water loss during storage from hardy vegetables e.g.
onion, garlic, sweet potato etc
In case of onion curing is a drying process intended to dry off the
necks and 2-3 outer scales of the bulbs to prevent the loss of
moisture and the attack by decay during storage

Cleaning
This is a treatment given to remove adhering dust, dirt, extraneous matter, pathogenic load etc. from the surface of a
commodity. Cleaning basically sanitizes the produce and avoid entry
of undesirable contents to enter the packaging and storage line.

Cleaning is a broader term and includes, dusting (dry method),

washing (wet method) etc.

Washing
Washing is done at the pack house through automated washing system
fitted with overhead sprayers and smooth rotating brushes to clean
and wash the vegetables. Washing with clean water mixed with a neutral detergent at 0.1% (1ml/liter of water) is effective.

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
The process of cleaning and washing will take 3-5 minutes. The temperature of water should be at room temperature (270
°C).

Sorting & Grading

 Sorting: Undesirable types of vegetables i.e., diseased, damaged, deformed are removed. It can be done primarily to
reduce spread of infection to other vegetables.
 Grading: Vegetables are categorized according to difference in their weight, size, color, and maturity. It can be done to
fetch better price in the market.

Packaging
The wrapping material around a consumer item that serves to contain, identify, describe, protect, display, promote and
otherwise make the product marketable and keep it clean.

Its dimensions and design must be suited to the available transport in order to load neatly and firmly. It must be readily
available, preferably from more than one supplier. It can reduce the amount of damage to which fresh produce is exposed
during marketing. It should be to prevent physical damage to produce, and be easy to handle.

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
Storing
Storage is the phase of the postharvest system during which the products are kept in such a way as to guarantee food
security other than during periods of agricultural production. The main objectives of storage can be summed up as follows:
- At the food level, to permit deferred use (on an annual and multi-annual basis) of the agricultural products harvested;
- At the agricultural level, to
ensure availability of seeds for the
crop cycles to come;
- At the agro-industrial level,
to guarantee regular and
continuous supplies of raw
materials for processing industries
- At the marketing level, to
balance the supply and demand of
agricultural products, thereby
stabilizing market prices.

Different vegetables require different storage conditions. Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, squash and members of
onion family are best stored at 60- 700 F (15.5 - 21.10 C) in a dry location. If stored in a refrigerator, they will lose flavor and
texture. Most other vegetables should be stored @ refrigerator temperature.

Store vegetables away from fruits that emit ethylene gas, such as bananas. The gas will cause continued ripening and possible
decay.

Transportation
Transportation is a big and often the important factor in
the marketing of fresh produce. Ideally, transport would
take produce from the grower directly to the consumer.
Losses directly attributed to transport conditions can
be high.

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
The produce be kept in the best possible condition during transport and that the haulage of produce be quick and efficient.
To this end, produce should be properly packaged and properly loaded on a suitable vehicle.

Postharvest Processing Machineries for Fruits and Vegetables

A.) Size Graders

Normally all size graders are designed to classify produce by diameter/width. However graders for classification by lengths
are also available. All these graders use elements like screen mesh, perforated belt, plain rollers, taper rollers, diverging
space, traveling chains, rotating rollers, and vibratory trays for separating fruits and vegetables to suit size and shape.

Garlic Grading Machine Potato Grader

B.) Weight Graders

These graders allow classifications of pieces of produce by weight only, irrespective of size and shape. The equipment is
normally a conveyor having traveling cups and variable weight measuring devices like tension springs or load cells or
electronic sensors. These are costly equipment compared to size graders and hence its use is limited to high value fruits like
mangoes, apples etc.

Mango Weight Grading Machine

C.) Sorting Equipment

Sorting is the separation of foods into categories on the basis of a measurable physical property. Sorting of produce is
carried out either manually or by automatic electronic sorters – to classify produce by size, shape, color, surface damage,
ripening etc.

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
In case of manual sorting, roller conveyors are used in which rollers while carrying the produce rotate the pieces to allow
exposure of their all sides of surface. With this type of equipment, mostly all undesired produce is separated by trained
persons, under proper lighting. Belt conveyors are also used for manual sorting, but they are not as efficient as roller
conveyor.

In case of electronic sorter, it has conveyor system facilitating passing of each piece under lights and camera – which sense
the programmed defects and rejects them by means of pneumatic ejector systems.

D.) Cleaning and Washing Equipment

Generally, most of the fruits and vegetables carry dust, dirt, spray
residues and other unwanted materials when harvested. They are
cleaned, graded and sorted in dry condition. However, root
vegetables, in addition, carry soil, mud etc. Hence it is very
essential that then produce is cleaned off these impurities before
it is graded and sorted. According to requirement depending upon
type and intensity of impurities either dry type cleaning equipment
or water washing type equipment or both are used for fresh
market. However, produce for processing must be washed. In
washing and cleaning operations, chemicals are added to wash
water for disinfections of fruits and vegetables. Washing is also an
important operation to reduce level of pesticides in fruits and
vegetables.

Carrot Washer
E.) Other Postharvest Process Equipment
 Sponge Dryer
- It is used to remove surface water to dry the produce after washing. It consists of sponge rollers to absorb
water & squeeze rollers to drain it.

 Wax coating Machine

- It is carried out on fruits like apples. It reduces water losses and
improves appearance of fruits.

 Polishing and Brushing Machine

- Rotating brushes pressed against produce moving on rollers is
used to remove dust and spray residues and to improve appearance of
fruits like apples.

 Weighing & Bagging Machine

- Small bags are weighed & packed or bagged manually with the help of weighing scales. However weighing and
bagging equipment with microprocessor system are available which can be set to fill crates/boxes/bags
ranging from 1 kgs to 60 kgs as programmed.

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y
 Republic of the Philippines
BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY
La Trinidad Campus
Km 6 La Trinidad, Benguet

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Ag Eng’g 11-Fundamentals of Agricultural Engineering

Laboratory Exercise No. 2- HARVESTING, THRESHING, AND POSTHARVEST PRACTICES

Name: ____________________________________________ Date Submitted: _______________

I. INTRODUCTION
Make your own introduction. This should be related to the title and/or objectives of this laboratory exercise.

II. OBJECTIVES
1. To identify harvesting, threshing, and postharvest practices in a certain locality; and
2. To identify equipment/or machineries being used to cater to harvesting, threshing and postharvest activities.

III. MATERIALS
Survey materials or questionnaires, internet resources, devices (i.e., cellphone, laptop, etc.), social media platforms
(i.e., Facebook, twitter, etc.), and appropriate references (book, journal, e-book, e-journal etc.).

IV. PROCEDURE
1. In your own community, what specific crops are being grown by farmers? Discuss the harvesting, threshing (if
applicable) and postharvest activities being practiced in your area. What equipment and/or machineries are being used
to cater to these activities? Discuss how each equipment or machinery is being used and provide pictures/illustrations.

Note: Discuss at least 2 crops.

V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Present the results of your laboratory exercise and discuss it clearly.

Note: Provide pictures/photos with proper labeling to support your discussion or you can attach pictures/photos as an
APPENDIX Figures, but be sure that you have cited the Figures in your discussions.

VI. CONCLUSION
Your conclusion should be based from the contents of your lab exercise. You may include your learnings and realization
in doing this exercise.

VII. REFERENCE(S)
References should be at least from year 2010 to 2022. Use APA format in citing your references.

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Ag Eng’g 1: Bas ic Farm Machineries and Mechaniz ation and Wa te r Managemen t
MODULE 1 AGRICULTURAL M ACHINERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNIT 5 HARVESTING AND THRESHING MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
UNIT 6 POSTHARVEST M ACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT
For Bengue t S ta te Uni ve rs i ty Us e Onl y