A comprehensive field validation event for large, high-end intelligent grain combine harvesters in typical application scenarios was recently held in Qitai, Xinjiang.

This activity was organized by the Agricultural Mechanization General Station of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in conjunction with local Xinjiang agricultural machinery departments, aiming to implement national directives on accelerating the pilot testing and maturation of new agricultural machinery products.

The event, which ran from July 7th to 15th, involved rigorous on-site evaluation of key performance metrics for the machinery.

These assessments focused on production efficiency, operational quality, regional adaptability, ease of operation, cost-effectiveness, and reliability during actual harvesting tasks.

A core component of the validation was a direct performance comparison with imported combine harvester models.

The primary goal was to evaluate the current state of domestic research, development, and application, identify areas for improvement and maturation, and ultimately accelerate the widespread adoption of domestically produced large-capacity and hybrid-powered grain combine harvesters to promote high-quality development in agricultural equipment.

Historically, the market for large, high-end intelligent grain combine harvesters in China has been dominated by foreign brands.

In recent years, domestic agricultural machinery manufacturers have accelerated their R&D efforts, launching several domestic models to fill this market gap.

The field tests were meticulously designed to reflect actual production conditions in Xinjiang.

Test plots were selected to represent typical wheat fields with varying sizes, yields, moisture levels, and irrigation setups, with straw laid in rows to facilitate baling and removal.

Major domestic brands participated with their models, including full-feeding grain combine harvesters with a capacity exceeding 16kg/s from companies such as Weichai Lovol, YTO Group, China Railway Construction Heavy Industry, Jiufang Taihe, Boshi Ran, Swan, and Mushen, as well as a new energy hybrid grain combine harvester from Zoomlion.

During the validation process, these domestic models were pitted against the imported large grain combine harvesters commonly used by local agricultural machinery cooperatives.

Operators from these cooperatives were tasked with running both the test and comparison machines, conducting a continuous seven-day socialized service operation to meet actual farmer harvest demands.

Agricultural machinery appraisal and extension personnel from provinces including Xinjiang, Tianjin, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Anhui, and Shaanxi monitored the field operations without disrupting the harvest.

They conducted on-site measurements of critical indicators such as loss rate, grain impurity rate, grain breakage rate, stubble height, production efficiency, working speed, fuel consumption per acre, and operational effectiveness.

The results indicated that none of the participating domestic large, high-end intelligent combine harvesters experienced critical failures, and their operational quality met national standards.

In terms of work quality, efficiency, and energy consumption, the differences with imported models were minimal.

However, some individual models encountered issues like belt breakage and cutter damage, suggesting that reliability still has room for improvement through further maturation.

Following the field validation, a concentrated operational demonstration and discussion forum were held for the domestic harvesters.

Field inspectors, cooperative managers, operators, grassroots agricultural machinery extension staff, and industry experts presented problems identified during testing and offered suggestions for further refinement of the equipment.

The group also discussed development trends for large, high-end intelligent grain combine harvesters, aiming to jointly advance their industrialization and large-scale application.

Operators noted that the domestic models were comparable to imports in terms of operational ease and driving comfort, though there is still potential for enhancement in intelligent features.

Local extension personnel affirmed the suitability of domestic machines for local wheat harvesting.

Industry experts concluded that domestic large, high-end intelligent grain combine harvesters have achieved a historic breakthrough from non-existence to existence.

The next steps involve intensifying pilot testing and maturation efforts, steadily advancing towards batch production and application, and continuously improving recognition among farmers and operators.

Moving forward, the Agricultural Mechanization General Station plans to organize similar comprehensive field validations for domestic large, high-end intelligent combine harvesters on other crops, such as corn for grain.

The station will continue to monitor the progress of pilot testing and maturation to accelerate the broad adoption of domestically produced agricultural machinery.