Reliability Analysis of Combine Harvesters

Year 2010, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 5 - 12, 01.02.2010

Sait M. Say , Alim Işık

Abstract

The estimation of required total
operational width of combine harvesters beforehand, especially for relatively
big farms, is so important in terms of both the timely and possible least cost
operation. Determination of required total operational width is a little bit complicate due to the difficulties in estimation
of lost time resulted from unplanned breakdowns.

In the context of this study,
reliability analyses of 14 combine harvesters with same made and model were
made based on the breakdown records which contain time between failures. The
historical data of time between failures were modeled according to Weibull
Distribution with three parameters. A developed software, namely WEPTIBFES v
2.0 was used in parameter estimation. Additionally, the module of Monte-Carlo
simulation was added into software to simulate the time between failures.

As a
result of the study, totally 2470 data from 14 combine harvesters for last 10
years were evaluated. The estimated time between failures were calculated for
given sub-systems of combine harvester. Weibull distribution parameters, the
estimation statistics of b that defines the shape of distribution were
determined. Additionally, and the result of validation tests were performed
according to Kolmogorov-Smirnov test procedure. The lowest and the highest
estimated time between failure values for cutting bar/feeding mechanism and
components of control system were 82.16 and 234.74 hours respectively, while
actual values were 88.2 and 254.2 hours.

Keywords

Combine harvester, grain harvesting, reliability

Reliability Analysis of Combine Harvesters

Abstract

 

ABSTRACT: The estimation of required total operational width of combine harvesters
beforehand, especially for relatively big farms, is so important in terms of
both the timely and possible least cost operation. Determination of required
total operational width is a little bit complicate
due to the difficulties in estimation of lost time resulted from unplanned
breakdowns.

In the context of this study,
reliability analyses of 14 combine harvesters with same made and model were
made based on the breakdown records which contain time between failures. The
historical data of time between failures were modeled according to Weibull
Distribution with three parameters. A developed software, namely WEPTIBFES v
2.0 was used in parameter estimation. Additionally, the module of Monte-Carlo
simulation was added into software to simulate the time between failures.

As a
result of the study, totally 2470 data from 14 combine harvesters for last 10
years were evaluated. The estimated time between failures were calculated for
given sub-systems of combine harvester. Weibull distribution parameters, the
estimation statistics of b that defines the shape of distribution were
determined. Additionally, and the result of validation tests were performed
according to Kolmogorov-Smirnov test procedure. The lowest and the highest
estimated time between failure values for cutting bar/feeding mechanism and
components of control system were 82.16 and 234.74 hours respectively, while
actual values were 88.2 and 254.2 hours.

References

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