Harvesting Conditions

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

• Some self-tipping transport units 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 cane before cutting.

• Cane that is down and cross-row should be cut in the direction that allows crop dividers to lift cane up off the

  adjoining row.

• Cane that is down with the row should be cut so base of the stalk will enter harvester first. This eliminates risk of uprooting cane.

• Twisted and matted cane may require optional side knives to reduce uprooting from adjoining rows.

• In all cases of cane harvesting, ground speed is important in cutting cane to assure a good feed into the harvester with minimal damage. Cutting too fast may cause a bulldozer effect. It is essential that you monitor the quality of cane going into field transport.