A Model to Estimate Combine Harvester and Infield Transport Performance and Costs

A user friendly, computer based program has been developed to estimate the performance and cost of sugarcane combine harvesters and associated infield transport vehicles. The model was originally developed to assess the effect of various field parameters, infield cultural practices and also the number and capacity of infield transport vehicles on harvester output. A costing program was subsequently added to the model to estimate the impact that these factors have on overall harvesting and transport costs. The model has demonstrated that factors such as cane yield, crop condition, field layout, agronomic practices and the number and capacity of haul-out vehicles have a pronounced affect on the performance of combine harvesters. The model is a useful tool for assessing the viability of introducing a fully mechanised harvesting system under different agronomic and management situations.