Abstract

Work-job orders for 15 combines with different machine widths were studied in this research paper. Data for 352 work-job orders were recorded as repair or maintenance for nine items. These items included, header unit, threshing unit, separation unit, cleaning shoe unit, engine, pre-harvest jobs, general and fabrication works, electrical and tires. Total annual cost for each item was determined, and the ratio of total cost to purchase price was calculated. Total costs were divided into labor and parts according to each work job orders. Correlations between repair and maintenance costs and some factors (such as: separation hours, engine hours, combine age, labor cost and parts cost) were conducted. The relationship between repair and maintenance costs, combine age and machine width was investigated. Seventy-two percent of the work orders were structured as repair work while twenty-eight percent were seemed to be maintenance works. Repair mean total costs were significantly higher than that of maintenance costs. Furthermore, repair and maintenance mean total costs were directly related to grain combine working life (years) and some other factors.

Key words: Combine, farm machinery, repair, maintenance, cost.