Combine Harvester and Its Historic and Current Impact on the Economy, the Environment - Essay Example

This paper explores the history and the environmental and economic impacts of the combined harvester

The Combine Harvester
The combine harvester was invented in the U.S by Hiram Moore in 1834. Notably, the early versions of the machine were pulled by mule, bulls, and/or horse teams. Although invented in the U.S., the idea of combining harvesters was evident in other regions. In fact, an Australian, Hugh Victor McKay developed the first commercial combine harvester in 1882. Later combine harvester would be pulled by the steam engine as seen in George Stockton Berry’s integration of the combine harvester with a steam engine using a straw to heat the boiler. Later, sophisticated combine harvesters such as Massey Ferguson’s would emerge, drawn by tractors (gas or diesel engines). Attached to these combine harvesters are shakers, which separate the grain from the chaff and straw-walkers to eject the straw and retain the grain (Quick & Buchele, 1978). One of the economic impacts of the combine harvester is the execution of multiple tasks such as grain threshing, winnowing, and collection in the harvest in faster and more efficient ways. The machine has also created its own industry and jobs, thus improving the economy. The combined harvester has also led to reduced crop losses, time conservation, a good turnaround time for the next crop, and reduced labor shortages during peak times thereby positively affecting the economy and living standards. Thus, due to these many advantages, the combine harvester has economically empowered not only its manufacturers but also farmers. Unfortunately, the price of the machine has prevented some farmers from using it.

Additionally, poor transport facilities in rural areas, fragmented land holding, inaccessibility of farms, and lack of local manufacturers and repairing facilities have also hindered the spread and use of the combined harvester (Somerville & Constable, 2003). Morals or ethics is the other aspect of life impacted by the combined harvester. For instance, because of the machine, attempts have been made to educate the public on how to protect itself while using the machine. Morally, manufacturers are required to provide equipment of the right values, availing all the necessary information about their product. Failure to provide such information is not only considered immoral but also an illegal act. It is thus imperative that combine harvester manufacturers protect the public from poor quality or questionable machinery and equipment. The combine harvester has also affected human relationships with machines. Unfortunately, environmentally, today’s agricultural machines such as the combine harvester are quite unsustainable, largely since the improvements occasioned by such modern implements arise out of the use of coal and oil, which are not renewable.

Education and training is the other drawback that the combine harvester has encountered. For instance, lack of training and education on combine harvester use has hampered the embracing and productive use of the machine. Further little research on the improvement of the functionality of the machine has not been useful in improving its efficiency. In fact, some stakeholders opine that further research could see the combined harvester being used on crops other than grains. In fact, with the foreseen improvements, the combined harvester could be used on crops like sorghum, cotton, sugarcane, sunflower, safflower, and pulses. Environmentally, there are a lot of straws that remain in the field, which are mostly burned, thereby polluting the environment (Somerville & Constable, 2003). Man’s relationship has also been affected by the combined harvester. While some feel that the machine has led to man’s obsession with machines so that society is run by machines, others feel that there is a love/hate man-machine relationship, depending on the benefits and demerits of a machine.

Conclusion
The positive effects of the combine harvester to its manufactures and farmers are quite obvious. However, there are also environmental and moral issues that accompany the making and use of the machine. Although it saves farmers time and wastes during harvest, there is a need to train and research further in the use of the combined harvester. The machines should thus be designed not only to minimize environmental pollution but also to ensure user safety and economic viability and relevance.