Harvesting System Design and Performance - Engineering and Science of Biomass Feedstock Production and Provision - page 117

Fig. 5.32 ( a )Cutter-windrowerand( b ) cutter-stackers used in whole-stick harvesting of sugar
cane. Adapted from [ 21 ]

5.4.3.2 Loading Whole Cane

Discontinuous and continuous loading are the two basic ways of loading whole
cane.Windrowscouldbepickedupbyacontinuousloaderwhereasheapedcane
and windrows couldbe picked upbya discontinuous loader. Continuousloading
can result in a large amount of rocks and soil being incorporated in the load.

Discontinuous Loaders

Front-Mounted Tractor Loader. The loader is mounted on an agricultural tractor
through a frame adapted for the type of tractor hitch. The grab or drag is controlled
through hydraulic cylinders. It is a suitable attachment for small farms with a
throughput capacity of 15 t h −1 . Its operation can cause damage to cane stumps
although this attachment is suitable for both loading and transporting (Fig. 5.33a ).