Harvesting Conditions

There are many conditions that will dictate how a crop must be harvested:

1. Some wagons, which are self-tipping, can only be loaded from one side. This may force downed cane to be cut first. Under these conditions, ground speed is critical to prevent uprooting the cane before cutting.
2. Cane, which has fallen down and is cross-row, should be cut in the direction that allows the crop dividers to lift the cane up off the adjoining row.
3. Cane that is down with the row should be cut so that the butt of the stalk will enter the harvester first. This eliminates the risk of uprooting the cane.
4. Twisted and matted cane may require side knives to reduce uprooting from adjoining rows.
5. In all cases of cane harvesting, ground speed is important in cutting cane to assure a good feed into the harvester with a minimum amount of damage. Cutting too fast may cause a bulldozer effect. It is essential that you monitor the quality of cane going into the wagon.