Farming systems and production management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://elibrary2.sugarresearch.com.au/handle/11079/13844

Research outcomes: Growers and harvesters benefit from the ongoing research in productivity improvement, production management and agronomical techniques. Developed technologies and management practices that enhance productivity and demonstrate a high rate of return on investment.

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1996 - 199912000 - 20104

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Harvester performance

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    Harvester performance testing literature review; loss measurement in sugarcane harvesting : Final report CO02008
    (BSES, 2002) Brotherton, A
    In the process of development of a performance testing protocol for sugarcane harvesters, the need for an independent review of the literature pertaining to sugarcane loss measurement became apparent. This review was commissioned by SRDC to concentrate on the methodology of testing. The loss process is shown to be complex and the subject is one where the statistical aid to engineering investigation is so affected by this complexity that great care needs to be taken in trial procedures and analysis to ensure the validity of results. From the examination of recent detailed data, backed up by the historical information, suggestions for future development are included. The obvious facts from the literature are that: (a) the classical approach of taking measurements, in the field, of inputs and outputs of the desired clean cane is subject to the effect of variability such that the resources required for the establishment of adequate significance of differences makes the procedure almost impractical; (b) such testing in a test facility of machine processes can produce adequate results; (c) the direct method of collecting cane 'lost' does not cater for juice and minute fragment loss. This 'invisible' loss is shown to be a major consideration and its variability between treatments may invalidate comparisons using direct collection methods. A less obvious matter is the apparent reduction in the sucrose content of the desired clean cane as it passes through the harvest process. The latter consideration suggests that the measurement of the sucrose weight loss (a dry weight measure) would be of more value than the cane weight loss. Some recent trials have provided information on the sucrose weight of the input and output, and the results indicate that control of variability is superior to that obtained in the clean cane weight analysis. Future development approaches suggested are: (a) developing test facility techniques for machine process evaluation. Aim to establish the closure error; (b) examining the sucrose loss measurement.
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    Harvester best practice on-board expert system and monitoring : SRDC Final report
    (2007)
    Cane losses through harvesters operating outside Harvest Best Practice (HBP) are a major cost to the sugar industry. Where they exist, current information systems provide feedback to the operator only after the cane has been crushed at the mill. By that time, the harvesting is finished and the losses already made. The project was aimed at developing an on-board computer system to assist operators to interpret HBP and monitor the operation to provide feedback while harvesting. The system was also intended to be able to relay the data to a central repository that could be used to distribute objective reports on operators performance with respect to HBP. This would allow contractors and growers to use this objective information as key performance indicators when negotiating harvest contracts. The project was to use semi-structure interviews, group discussions and other methods with project participants – harvester operators, harvester owners, growers and millers - to define reporting requirements and gauge the systems impact on not only harvest best practice in the field, but also awareness of the factors that contribute to this.
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    A review of opportunities to improve the design and performance of sugarcane harvesters
    (2010) Davis, RJ; Whiteing, C; Norris, CP
    This review is a response to the recognition by the SRDC that the Australian sugarcane industry needs an informed basis from which to make decisions as to appropriate investments in harvesting sector research. There is a renewed interest at a grower and regional level for improved harvester designs and harvesting practices. SRDC continues to receive requests from industry to support sugarcane harvester research and development. This review looks at component research on the Australian type ‘chopped cane’ sugarcane harvester, harvesting performance and harvest and transport system analysis undertaken in Australia and overseas and considers the benefits delivered. Opportunities to improve the design and performance and reduce the costs of sugarcane harvesting along with recommendations for further research, development and extension to facilitate productive and profitable adoption are identified. It is concluded that ‘chopped cane’ harvester and harvesting performance research has delivered significant direct and indirect benefits to the Australian sugar industry and a number of key examples are highlighted to demonstrate these benefits.
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    Benchmarking harvest group practices in the Burdekin : SRDC Final report CSR033
    (2006) Ellis, D; Haigh, I
    This project was initiated due to a lack of information available to harvesting groups as to whether their operation was economically comparable to other harvesting groups in the Burdekin and if their current practices were economically sustainable. To do this, the project was designed to create a benchmarking system to enable harvest groups to compare harvester performance by: Establishing a low cost, reliable harvester reporting system which captures field conditions Generate reports showing harvester performance Enable harvest groups to compare different operating practices due to farming systems and model the cost associated to those practices Determine the impacts of different group configurations on profitability.
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    Optimising cane harvester extractor performance : SRDC Final report BS65S
    (1996) Ridge, DR; Pearce, F
    The three year project to optimise cane harvester extractor peformance was directed into three separate areas - evaluation of existing commercial or semi commercial cleaning system -development of an extractor hood design with improved aerodynamic properties - and - refinement of the design of the extractor chamber to improve cleaning performance. Initial testing of the Alfarm Mizzi harvester fitted with a pre-cleaning chamber to extend the length of the path for cleaning by the primary extractor proved inclonclusive, du to mechancial problems with the test harvester. However, it was observed that the precleaning chamber was ineffective at high feed rates and this problem has been partially addressed in the latest Joe Mizzi harvester by increasing the height of the chamber. Preliminary testing confirmed that cleaning performance of a vertical arm extractor was superior to a cross-arm mounted extractor and efficiency was affected by factors such as the deflector plate angle and blade tip clearance . The development of a protype 'lobster' shaped steel hood showed that air velocities in the extractor chamber were increased by widening the cross-section of the hood towards the outlet and providing a more streamlined shape. A prototype moulded polythlene hood was developed from the 'lobster' hood to facilitate manufacture of the tapered and smoothed shape. After refinement of the plastic hood in a further steel protype a final plastic hood mould was constructed with the extractor fan mounted on a vertical shaft supported by external steel legs. This hood is mounted on an extended steel barrel. Detailed testing of a range of extractor chamber configurations and inlet vent positions was carried out with results showing the following: improved cleaning and reduced cane loss with an additional rear vent directing air against the flow of cane from the chopper; similar improvements by introducing additional air into the bottom of the cleaning chamber by widening the base of the air inlet cone. It was noted that there needed to be a balance between the different locations for introducting air into the chamber to optimise separation of cane and leaf and trash without causing excessive cane loss. The final cleaning system development incorporated the plastic hood with extended steel barrel, additional air vent in the rear of the extractor chamber and a widened base on the air inlet cone. Field testing confirmed that this system garve superior cleaning and reduced cane loss compared to a standard steel hood with vertical arm extractor. It is recommended that the plastic hood, extended steel barrel and vertical extractor with support legs be developed as a retrofit option for pre-1996 Austoft 7000 harvesters. Commercial use is considered to be limited to wheeled harvesters due to excessive height of the extended barrel system on low loaders. There is also the option of developing a suitable folding system to lower the height for transport.