Strength Analysis of the Track Frame of a Thai-Made Rice Combine Harvester Using the Finite Element Method and the Loading Tests

A rice combine harvester has an important role in Thai rice production and has been popular in Thai farmer. Almost Thai-made rice combine harvester is too heavy and large in size. Because the track frame of Thai-made rice combine harvester is a main component that affects the harvester’s size and weight, the objective of this research, therefore, was to investigate the track frame strength using both the finite element method (FEM) and the loading test with experimental frame. Similitude analysis was employed for determining the proper scale of experimental frame. Two field work conditions of the harvester’s header were selected namely horizontal position and maximum lift position. The FEM results showed that the maximum stresses of those conditions were 91.1 MPa and 91.7 MPa, respectively, while the maximum deflection 2.313 mm and 2.355 mm, respectively. The experimental results from the loading tests confirmed that the strength analysis of track frame using FEM had a high accuracy and could be applied in practical use.