The binders introduced in Korea were originally designed to be used for Japonica-type varieties which have relatively long stem and are highly resistant to shattering. In order to use it for Tongil varieties which are short and easy to be shattered, mechanical modifications are necessary to reduce a grain loss incurred during binder operation. This study was intended to investigate analytically and experimentally the major sources of grain losses caused by three kinds of binders now introduced in Korea. Actual modification for each of three binders was done and experimentally compared to see if any improvement on grain loss was achieved. The results obtained in this study are summarized as follows; 1. It was required that the power transmission of binder should have a shifting mechanism so that velocities of pick-up and traveling units could be changed independently as desired according to the Japonica-type and Tongil varieties. In other words, the desired velocity of traveling unit should be obtained by shifting the transmission and the velocity of pick-up unit should be selected by reaping clutch according to the variety independent of the velocity of traveling unit as shown in Fig. 6. 2. To reduce grain loss it was desired that the moving parts of the pick-up unit should have the lowest possible velocities in harvesting Tongil varieties, unless the reduction of the speed be hindered the conveyance of the material. Based on the study, it was concluded that the velocities of pick-up unit be reduced by about 35% of those of the existing units. 3. It was found that the lug at the upper rotating section of pick-up case gave a severe impact on the ears of rice to increase grain loss. The optimum design of pick-up case to protect the ears from the protruding part of the lug was recommended by the result of analysis of the trajectory of the end-point of lug at the position. 4. It was proved analytically and experimentally that pick-up unit at the lower-rotating part was the other important source of grain loss in pick-up and divider assembly. In order to reduce a grain loss incurred by lugs at their lower-rotating section, it was suggested to improve it by (1) widening the space between right and left lower-rotating section, (2) shortening the length of lugs, (3) enlargement of the angle between the pick-up case and ground-level, and (4) attaching guard to right and left dividers so that the rotating lug could not give a high impact to the paddy hill. 5. Pick-up and divider assembly of the original binder of three models studied was modified according to the suggestions that were given by the preliminary study. Field test showed that the modified binders were able to reduce grain losses by about 0.4-0.7 percentage points compared to those without modification.