USAGE MODEL FOR AFTERMARKET COMBINE HARVESTERS

<jats:p>This article proposes a comprehensive methodology for assessing the efficiency of grain harvesters operating on the used market, aimed at reducing costs for agricultural producers. The relevance of this topic stems from the need to update the equipment fleet in the face of a shortage of working capital. The objective of the study is to develop a methodological toolkit for informed decisions regarding the purchase of used harvesting equipment. The developed algorithm allows for forecasting various combine harvester deployment scenarios, using key criteria such as productivity, operating costs, and the volume of process losses. The paper details the model's initial parameters, systematized into three blocks: enterprise operating conditions, machine performance characteristics, and consumer characteristics of used market offerings. The model includes two modules: the first simulates the operating modes of each individual combine harvester, while the second integrates the assessment of various utilization scenarios for the entire harvesting fleet. The practical significance of this work lies in the creation of a universal mechanism that facilitates the adoption of economically sound management decisions and the mitigation of financial risks. Using an existing farm with a fleet of four domestically produced ACROS combine harvesters as an example, the effectiveness of the method was demonstrated: a comparison of five harvesting scenarios revealed that the purchase of an ACROS 595 Plus combine (with 400 m/h operating time) reduces specific efficiency losses by approximately 35% compared to the scenario with a purely in-house fleet and minimizes grain shortfalls by tightening the harvesting schedule. The developed approach takes into account actual operating data, making it applicable to a wide range of agricultural enterprises.</jats:p>