On the basis of multi-year field and laboratory studies the author determined the optimum parameters of rape harvest according to the two-stage method. The studies were conducted on the Ceres variety, using a Fortschritt E 303 swath mower with an E 327 adapter for rape harvesting, as well as by means of a Z 056 grain combine specially adapted for the pickup and threshing of rape swaths. Analysis was performed for the main factors determining the level of qualitative and quantitative losses occurring in the course of rape harvest. Observation of the recommendations presented in the paper guarantees a reduction of the quantitative losses of rape seeds and helps obtain better quality of material for the fat industry.
The paper presents the results of a three-year field study, carried out in order to estimate the values of losses occurring during rape harvesting with a grain combine harvester, at different terms of harvest. The study was performed on seven winter rape varieties (Mar, Ceres, Boiko, Liporta, Libravo, Leo, Polo) using single- and two-stage harvest technologies. While estimating the quantitative losses, methods elaborated at the Institute of Agrophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Lublin were used. Knowledge of the relationships between harvesting terms and rape seed losses allows us to perform the harvest during terms which ensure minimum losses.