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Farming Equipment & Precision Agriculture: Grain Combines (text)

Last Updated: February 18, 2008

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Grain Combines

The combine harvester[1] or simply, combine, is a machine that combines the tasks of harvesting, threshing, and cleaning grain crops.


The combine:

1. Cuts the entire stalk

2. Separates the grain from the stalk

3. Discards the debris out the back of the machine

4. Stores the grain in the top.


  • The dried leaves and stems that the combine leaves behind are baled for feed and bedding for livestock.
  • The head of the combine can be changed to a grain table[2] for harvesting small grains such as wheat and soybeans.
  • A corn header[3] is used for corn.

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