Header grain losses
This is the portion of the crop that fails to enter the combine harvester and remains on the field due to improper header settings or mechanical issues.
Также говорят: front-end losses, harvesting losses
Header grain losses serve as a key performance indicator for harvesting efficiency. Agronomists monitor these losses by placing sampling frames behind the header to quantify the grain dropped on the ground before it reaches the threshing mechanism.
Typical causes include incorrect reel speed, inappropriate cutting height, or dull knife sections that shatter the grain head upon impact. Operators often fail to synchronize the ground speed of the combine with the reel speed, which creates excessive vibrations and causes premature grain shelling.