Image bank

The combine is crucial for harvesting arable crops. It completes several operations at the same time. It cuts the plant about 9 inches above ground. It is then fed into the heart of the combine where it is spun very fast against a metal grate with holes in it. This is known as "thrashing". This causes the grain to be pushed through the holes and separated from the ear and straw. The grain is then goes over a series of sieves to further clean it before being moved to a grain tank for unloading. Odell Wold August 2005