As I started this and will be off site for the next couple of weeks, so I had better put in my humble contribution. I have let my head go here! 1 _ Header; The draper type header obviously feeds much better than the auger type header in most conditions so; a redesign to eliminate the high wear and high fire risk [ in Oz ] belt system. Maybe a counterbalanced shaker tray system and _ or air assist to rapidly move material to the feeder house. 2 _ Cab; ergonomics are generally poor for an operator spending up to 12 to 16 hours in the cab, particularly if there is no break when unloading on the run and having to concentrate on a poor feeding crop in front. Aching shoulders and neck are my problems after a few hours due to concentration and leaning forward. Much improved ergonomics for the operator are badly needed. Is the steering wheel neccessary in a combine or is it a hold out because we are conditioned to it. Maybe a joy stick type steering system instead and a very easy to operate, electric powered ground speed control [ already suggested above. Take note AGCO. ] 3 _ All status indicators and controls to take account of possible minor mobility and sight problems experienced by [ older ] operators. 4 _ Engines to be of a multi fuel type that can handle fuels from a number of non hydro carbon sources. European engines are already well along this track, including Sisu. Essential requirement as many of these engines will still be operating in 20 years time when the alternate fuels may often be the only option. 5 _ Rethink on radiator design and placement; most radiators are just hung in front of the engine like the automotive systems. There are locations that are better and more dust free on most combines. Radiator design is the similar, unsuitable truck and automotive type and fails to take account of the extreme dirt and dust that gets through the best screening system. 20 years ago the Russians had dealt with this problem by developing a radiator for their combines that you could drive a truck through the core of. 6 _ CVT ground drive transmissions [ already suggested ] 7 _ CVT between engine and machine to maintain combine revs in a very tight band regardless of engine speed. 8 _ Vari speed to vary the sieve shaker speeds for different crops and conditions. 9 _ Standardised module design on major components for a specific series of combine so that they can be rapidly removed with only a few tools and repaired, replaced or updated with a new module. The AGCO rotor is an example taking less than an hour to remove and replace with a different configuration if required. Why stop at the rotorIJ. Cage and concave should also come out as a quick remove standardised module. Sieve box, accelerator rolls, fan system, transmissions, engine and other components also. This would also allow replacement of a component module with an updated version of the module. It would also allow updating a combine module where there are significant problems or improvements without having to purchase a new machine. It would also allow a regular update program to be followed each season, again with out a huge one off expenditure on a new machine A trade in the standardised used component modules for a specific combine series and make would also develop to update older machines. 9 _ Bar axles on the wheel drives to allow duals and rapid adjustment to vary wheel widths to suit conditions and _ or for row crop and tram lining operations. 10 _ Already available is the Auto steer systems. A big help but should also be available as a manufacturer update and retrofit for older combines. [ Module type replacement again! ] Some but not all of my ideas. There are other excellent suggestions already on here by other contributors. Cheers.
