Due to topographic and climatic constraints, a large proportion of grain is cultivated in relatively flat areas, where it is highly susceptible to lodging caused by natural disasters or improper field management. However, research on the full-process intelligent harvesting of lodged grain remains limited. This paper aims to examine the current state of the grain industry and its level of mechanization, with a focus on the challenges in mechanized harvesting of lodged grain, including the lack of suitable equipment, high harvest losses, and low operational efficiency. The article provides a comprehensive review of the key technologies critical to achieving fully automated intelligent harvesting, including the acquisition of lodging information, combine harvester operations, and the development of intelligent modular systems. It also summarizes recent advancements in cutting-edge mechanized grain harvesting equipment. Additionally, the article presents recommendations for the future development and research of mechanized grain harvesting technologies, focusing on grain lodging feature recognition, equipment modularization, and the integration of intelligent technologies. The aim is to offer valuable insights for advancing progress in this field.
Qiao et al. (2026) studied this question.