Develop a whole-of-crop load levelling arm : SRA Grower Group Innovation Project final report

Abstract

This project aims to encourage involvement of representatives from all Condong harvesting groups to work together improving their skills to carry out R&D while building onto SRDC project. (HGP002 Design and build a moving wall on side tipping cane transporters.) This project run in conjunction with all Condong harvester groups, NSW Sugar and SRDC was aimed at delivering successfully the ability to level whole crop biomass in road transport containers once it had been delivered by side tipping transporters. This project if successful will level the load 100mm below the sides of road containers to achieve the 21tonne target for the successful operation of automated tarping system which secures load for safe road transportation. The initial amount of biomass needed to reach net load target, had to be loaded well above the road container sides. Then to compact and level below the container side making way for tarp proved un attainable. Therefore the focus has been directed towards increasing bulk density, trial choppers are being supplied by harvester manufacturer during 2008 off season. On going trials using various roller configurations were carried out, resulting in a design that rolled improving bulk density in one direction and levelled when reversed. However this needs far more development if bulk density is not increased, it would not be practical for this to be mounted on transporters.