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same time, the potential problems of bringing road trains into the paddocks without properly formed
and stabilised pads and secure access off all weather roads will make it difficult to consistently and
reliably directly link the road and infield systems without significant expense. A third stage of
transport, which has some infield capability and a high road speed, could be used to link the haulouts
with the road system. The road transport receival points or landings could be spaced over 10 km apart,
which would increase the tonnage passing over each landing each year and so make road transport
landing preparation more affordable. Landings could also be located opportunistically, on suitable soil
types or even use existing sites like abandoned railway sidings, making site stabilisation and paving
unnecessary or only a modest cost.
3.2.1 Configuration
Sugar System
Billeted sugarcane infield haulout equipment has evolved from single 3 tonne roll-on/roll-off rail bins
carried on trailers drawn by standard farm tractors to dedicated self-propelled units often carrying in
excess of 14 tonnes of cane. The current range of sugarcane haulout vehicles is the result of many
evolutionary changes, some of which were not appropriate for the industry.
Harvesting of sugarcane in Queensland and in Northern NSW has, in the past, posed many problems
in wet fields. Following heavy rain, mobility and manoeuvrability have been restricted and deep
rutting has resulted. Full-track (e.g. steel and rubber) equipment and high flotation tipper bins
(tracked or tyres) and tipper-elevator bins have been developed by manufacturers to improve operating
efficiency.
Rubber-tracked vehicles have lower maximum haul distances (2-4 km) than wheeled vehicles (5 km or
greater). The rubber tracked infield vehicles still have some limitations as trailer track life of less than
one season has been reported. This is mainly due to high number of turns required. However, rubber
track designs are continually improving. For NSW harvesting conditions, a set of rubber tracks have a
life expectancy of approximately three seasons for two haulouts operating on a 750 m averaged haul
distance (12 500 km track life for both haulout and tractor).
There are various combinations of infield haulout equipment in use throughout the sugar industry.
These include drawn (e.g. tractor, Cat Challenger, JBS Fastrack) and self-propelled. A feature of the
Australian sugarcane industry has been the extensive-use of self propelled haulouts. Similarly, there
are various combinations of containment and unloading mechanisms. These include roll on/roll off
railway bins, mesh sided bins with side tipping capability (side tippers) to bins with end lift and cross
elevator unload (elevating tipper bins).
Average speeds for the rubber tracked machines are about 25 km/hr unloaded and 20 km/hr when
loaded. Tractor drawn vehicles have operating speeds of about 40 km/hr unloaded and 30 km/hr when
loaded. There are self-propelled vehicles which can travel at speeds in excess of these speeds (up to
60 km/hr unloaded).
Maximum allowable loading for public road usage of rubber tracks in NSW have not been
determined. To date, compliance requirements of cane bins equipped with rubber tracked vehicles in
NSW has been restricted to issues of dimensions, brakes and lights. As RTA NSW regulations do not
allow concessional axle loadings for wheeled sugarcane haulouts fitted with high flotation, low
pressure tyres, it is realistic to assume that a maximum allowable pavement load for rubber tracks of
significantly less than the 28 tonnes allowed in Queensland.
Various examples of the combinations of infield haulout equipment in use throughout the sugarcane
industry are outlined.
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