Design and Analysis of a Skidder Type Supporter for a Combine Harvester

This paper describes and analyses the turning of a locally developed combine harvester (capacity 1-1.5 acres/day) propelled and powered by the basic structure (engine-gearbox) of a two wheel tractor in paddy fields as well as on up land. In this case the action of a (weight) supporting simple skidder is used to facilitate the turning with two clutches (existing in the two wheel tractor) instead of introducing a brake system for the traction wheels or c controllable caster wheel which are rather complicated and costly. This skidder while supporting a portion of the weight of the machine provides a method of turning with a high degree of controllability (i.e. with less abrupt changes in the Centre of rotation in turning.) A mathematical model is developed to analyze and optimize the system according to the requirement. The action of a free castor wheel is also compared with the action of the skidder