With the support of the University of Missouri, Living Energy Farm has developed a simplified combine harvester, the Easy Reaper. The Easy Reaper is the simplest combine harvester ever created. It can be mass manufactured at a fraction of the cost of other combine harvesters, and has the potential to make grain farming economically viable for small farmers all over the world.
The Easy Reaper can harvest many crops. We have tested it on wheat, oats, and barley. It will harvest other similar small grains (rye, rice, etc). Harvesting of soybeans or other legumes would be accomplished with threshing adjustments. The Easy Reaper will not harvest corn (maize) in its current configuration.
The Easy Reaper is dramatically simpler than any other combine harvester ever marketed. Depending on design specifics, it has one to three belts, and eight to ten spinning shafts. It could be mass manufactured for under $2000 USD.
The Easy Reaper does not need many machined parts. While mass production is very different from localized manufacturing in small shops, the latter scenario is viable for this machine. Easily available, and moderately priced welding and bending tools are sufficient for the production of this machine. The tools necessary to build Easy Reapers in a small production facility would cost $10,000 USD or less.
The Easy Reaper has a much simpler and more direct flow of material through the machine. That means the Easy Reaper can harvest grain much more efficiently. The horsepower requirements for the easy reaper are one-half or less compared to similarly scaled combine harvesters. This means the machine will use less fuel, however it is powered. It also means the machine could be “ground drive,” powered by its own wheels while being pulled by draft animals, a small tractor, or a garden tiller.
This machine is protected under patent pending. We are currently seeking investors and manufacturers to make Easy Reapers in the U.S. and abroad. If interested, contact Alexis Zeigler, alex (at) conev.org.