ENGINEERING FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT JOHN DEERE COMBINE HARVESTERS FUEL CONSUMPTION AND OPERATION COSTS

Abstract. This paper deals with comparison of the operating parameters of combine harvesters John Deere in a selected farm. The working parameters were measured on combine harvesters of the brand John Deere (tangential JD 2064, JD 9680 WTS, axialJD 9880 STS) of different ages and different concepts of threshing. Measuring took place in the season of 2012. Working parameters in this case mean the performance and economic indicators of the operation, i.e., the fuel consumption and costs. Performance of the machines was measured per hectare, number of harvested hectares per day, respectively per hour or season. Fuel consumption was measured in liters and converted per hectare and per kilometer travelled. Costs are calculated as fixed and variable and then summed as total for a given machine. They are also calculated per unit of one hectare. The measurement results are summarized in tables and charts and then elaborated in discussion