This section provides an overview for forage harvesters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 forage harvester manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked forage harvester companies as of November, 2024: 1.Shandong Yineng Heavy Industry Co.,Ltd, 2.NANNING TAGRM CO.,LTD, 3.CNH Industrial America LLC.
Table of Contents
A forage harvester is an agricultural implement designed to harvest or pick up grass, feed crops such as corn, shred them and blow them onto a transport vehicle.
There are two main types: unit-type and flail-type, with the term "forage harvester" commonly referring to the unit type. The unit type consists of three parts: the header unit for harvesting or picking up grass, the feed roller for moving the material, and the cutter head for shredding.
There are three usage methods: direct attachment to a tractor, towed for use, and self-propelled. The flail-type harvests, shreds, and blows material onto a transport vehicle using flail blades. It is classified into single-cut and double-cut types.
Forage harvesters are used in agriculture for harvesting and collecting feed crops such as grass and forage crops like rice and corn. They are also used to pick up and finely cut dried crops for collection on transport vehicles.
The collected feed crops can be used directly as fodder or processed into silage through fermentation in silos. Cutting and collecting in silos allow for more compact storage, approximately 1.5 to 2 times more than storing long crops as is.
The header unit is exchanged based on the feed crop being collected for unit types. Types include row crop units for harvesting long crops like corn, pickup units for collecting harvested grass, and mower bar units for cutting grass and other crops.
Forage harvesters simultaneously perform the tasks of harvesting, cutting, and discharging feed crops, typically with a transport vehicle running alongside to accumulate the cut material.
Given that fields cultivating feed crops are often expansive, forage harvesters that can perform harvesting, cutting, and accumulation simultaneously significantly reduce work time. The reduced volume of cut crops compared to regular crops also leads to space savings, typically between half and one-third.
Efficiency may decrease if the crops being harvested are wet, leading to potential work delays during heavy rainfall, such as the rainy season. Additionally, in smaller fields, the number of turns required may be higher, resulting in poorer efficiency than in larger fields. Due to its high initial cost, forage harvesters are more suitable for large-scale farms.
There are two main types: unit-type and flail-type.
Unit types can adjust between harvesting or picking up by exchanging the attachment unit. The mower bar unit is used for cutting, the pickup unit for picking up, and other specialized units for different crops. Unit types can be classified as tractor-mounted, towed, or self-propelled.
Flail blades rotate to perform simultaneous harvesting and cutting, with the shredded feed blown onto a transport vehicle. There are direct-cut types and double-chop types, the former blowing material simultaneously during harvesting, while the latter involves a secondary cut and blow after initial harvesting.
Unit types have higher initial costs and are suitable for large-scale farms. In contrast, flail types are more affordable and can be used with smaller tractors. Therefore, smaller farms may find flail types more suitable despite the drawback of uneven and larger cut lengths. However, the efficiency of flail types is generally lower compared to unit types due to their compatibility with smaller tractors. Therefore, for larger farms, unit types are more desirable. The choice of forage harvester should align with the scale of farm management.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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CNH Industrial America LLC is a manufacturer of farm equipment founded in 1842 and headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin. The company’s product line consists of multi-purpose tractors, harvesters, balers, telescopic loaders, and advanced farming systems. It also provides Case IH parts, remanufactured parts, and accessories, along with repair and maintenance services. The company’s products are exported to over 160 countries around the world. It caters to the agriculture sector with modern farming solutions.
Deere & Company is a manufacturer of industrial equipment and farming machinery that was established in Moline, Illinois, USA, in 1937. The company’s product lineup includes heavy duty excavators for construction operations, feller bunchers for forestry operations, and tractors for industrial agriculture projects. It also offers power systems and components such as telematics, drivetrains, and engines for its portfolio products. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001-certified, and has recently acquired notable companies such as Blue River Technology and the Wirtgen Group.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Shandong Yineng Heavy Industry Co.,Ltd |
23.1%
|
2 | NANNING TAGRM CO.,LTD |
23.1%
|
3 | CNH Industrial America LLC |
23.1%
|
4 | Agromaster |
7.7%
|
5 | SONSRAY AG |
7.7%
|
6 | Erisha Agritech |
7.7%
|
7 | DION-AG INC. |
7.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the forage harvester page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History