| Abstract | With the finalisation of the New South Wales Sugar Milling Cooperative’s Co-generation project, the transportation of whole of cane crop, with its 50% increase in bulk density, without losing the current efficiencies of two 33m3 infield transporters or haul-outs loads to one 66m3 road transport container and secure with a automated tarp was the aim. To maintain road transport efficiencies, the decision was made to introduce new 90m3 aluminium transport containers with automatic tarping systems. The logical harvest haul-out response was to follow suit and increase haul outs by the same percentage. Trial work done with the group’s old haul-outs tipping whole cane crops, but this resulted in unloading difficulties as the leaf material held the load together instead of achieving a pouring action as is experienced with clean and burnt cane. The 8 tonne load remained in the haul-out basket causing it to become dangerously unstable as maximum tipping height was achieved, then the load would release in one uncontrolled mass. This resulted in cane spillage and very uneven loads which were unable to be tarped and greatly increased the chance of serious damage to equipment due to the unstable tipping process. These issues would compound with the proposed larger 48m3 12 tonne haul-outs. To address this, some type of device is needed to encourage the load to tip in a controlled manner, without spillage before causing instability in the haul-out bins and evenly enough for the automated tarping system to be utilised. |
