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2.2.2 Machine size and configuration
The machine size and design concept affects various parts of the production and harvesting system.
This includes;
• Establishment and layout of fields, to leave optimal access for manoeuvring of machinery.
• Space between the rows and turning circle space at the headlands for turning to enable the
machine to return down the adjacent path to that just traversed.
• Harvesting patterns, for example travelling up one row then back down the next or working
inwards from around the perimeter.
• Capital cost investment, which is usually high and therefore requires high annual hours of use to
reduce the fixed machine costs per tonne or per hectare harvested.
• Operational costs
• Infield transport
2.2.2.1 Configuration
Sugar System
The configuration of the sugarcane harvester has evolved over the past 40 years from a harvester
attachment side-mounted on a tractor to today’s rigid, self-propelled, single row, over-the-row
machine with a swinging elevator capable of delivering sugarcane to either side or to the rear of the
harvester.
There are only three manufacturers of commercial ‘chopped’ sugarcane harvesters. These are John
Deere, CNH and Santal. Until 2004, CNH had a manufacturing facility in Australia. Today all
machines are manufactured in either the US (John Deere - Rest of the world machines) or Brazil
(John Deere Brazil machines and CNH) and imported. Santal provides machines for Brazil only.
Mallee System
In order to fast-track the development of the prototype, existing suitable platform vehicles to power
and drive the harvester were reviewed. Vehicles ranged from front-end loaders to forage harvesters
and utility tractors. This approach also maximised the investment time and money for the
development of a harvester head arrangement.
Based on this study, a Claas Xerion utility tractor was chosen as the platform vehicle. No
modifications are required to this tractor. The harvester head is a single row, over-the-row
arrangement which attaches to the rear of the tractor via three-point linkage.
Manoeuvrability and associated soil compaction issues will need to be considered in the selection of
the propulsion system (tracked or wheeled configuration) of the platform vehicle. It is probable that
the next protoytpe will be an articulated machine, with the weight of the head carried on its own axle,
and the cab and power pack carried on the second driven axle. A relatively long articulated machine
is anticipated because:
• The mallees cannot be fed horizontally or inverted like cane under the cab, they are handled in
a vertical orientation from the saw to the chipper. The compact design of the cane harvester
cannot be emulated with mallee harvesting.
• If tracked, the machine must be as mobile as possible, so rubber tracks will be required. Rubber
tracks have restricted load capacity and two pairs will be required to carry the weight of the
harvester.
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