Performance evaluation of self-propelled flail type forage harvester for fodder maize

A self-propelled flail type flail forage harvester was tested for harvesting of maize fodder at three levels of forward speed of the machine (1.50, 2.25 and 3.00 km/h), three levels of flail speed (26.86, 32.51 and 40.26 m/s) and three levels of rake angle (25°, 35° and 45°). The maximum harvesting efficiency (%), maximum throughput capacity (t/h) and minimum height of cut (cm) was obtained with the forward speed of 1.5 km/h, flail speed of 40.26 m/s and a rake angle of 25°. Corresponding values for harvesting efficiency, throughput capacity and height of cut were 96.12%, 5.87 t/h and 6.32 cm respectively. The fuel consumption varied from 8.74 to 20.33 l/ha for all the treatment combinations under study.