Post-harvest line – efficient grain storage

22. January 2025

Uncategorized

Crop production faces several challenges. One of these is the way they are handled immediately after harvest. The post-harvest line can efficiently treat the agri-commodities to a suitable and safe condition. What is the importance of a post-harvest line and what are its components?

Post-collection line and its importance

As after-harvest line is referred to as a set of machines, equipment and technologieswhich are responsible for processing agri-commodities immediately after harvesting. They are used extensively, for example, for cereals, oilseeds and other grains which are grown in large capacities and cannot be manually post-harvested to the required quality.

Professionally designed and professionally assembled post-collection line exhibits a high degree of automation and has advanced options for operation control and continuous monitoring. It is a solution that is suitable for both small family businesses and large farms. The harvesting line prepares collected commodities for further storage, processing or sale - in such a way as to systematically eliminate post-harvest losses or potential risks that would devalue the agricultural commodity.

Causes of post-harvest losses

Before we take a closer look at what the post-harvest line consists of, it is good to know what causes crop losses immediately after harvest.

The main causes of post-harvest losses include:

mechanical damage due to improper handling and inadequate protection;
insect infestation and subsequent spread of disease or fungal infections, pest infestation;
physiological disturbances related to the deterioration of the original quality of the agrocommodity;
unsuitable storage conditions (incorrect temperatures, humidity, inadequate ventilation).

None of these negative aspects will support the profitability of a business or farm. That is why it is advisable to optimise post-harvest processes by introducing new efficient technologies.

Advantages of the post-harvest line in agriculture

In modern agriculture, the post-harvest grain line has an irreplaceable place. The contribution of the post-harvest line can be seen on several levels:

eliminates impurities, damage, separates cereals by size and weight;
adjusts the moisture content of the grain to a storable level;
ensures optimum conditions for the crop, thus prolonging its shelf life;
helps prevent greater losses and risks;
greatly facilitates post-harvest adjustments - from the receipt of the grain to its dispatch;
in the long run, it will save time and costs for the work done.

Find out more about post-harvest grain processing and the machines we use in our post-harvest lines.

What does the post-collection line consist of?

The post-harvest line consists of several key, interrelated components and technologies. It consists primarily of:

1. Receiving basket - Provides primary input of the processed commodity to the post-collection line. The basket can be self-emptying or emptied by means of a conveyor. The capacity and quantity of the receiving baskets should correspond to the volume of grain coming from the fields.

2. Pre-cleaner and purifier - The pre-cleaner separates light, non-valuable impurities and contaminants, while the cleaner uses a multi-stage sieve unit that separates grains according to size.

3. Dryer - Its task is to reduce the moisture content of the crop to the optimum value. This prevents the proliferation of micro-organisms and prolongs the shelf life of the agri-commodity.

4. Expedition technologies - For dispatching to customers, for example, drive-through dispatch bins, which allow fast loading into transport vehicles, have proved to be excellent.

5. Storage facilities - Grain that has not been shipped and is awaiting sale or further processing needs stable storage conditions. These are usually flat-bottomed/cone-bottomed storage silos or floor storage of suitable capacity.

6. Transport facilities - Smooth movement shall be ensured between machines and equipment. The conveyors, which we at PREMETAL MON are experts in, will ensure the smooth running of the post-harvest line.

7. Management and control system - It is used to monitor the operation, control the individual stages of post-harvest treatment or detect possible faults. It reduces the need for direct human control and increases overall efficiency.