Computer Simulation of Mechanical Harvesting and Transportation of Sugarcane

Abstract

A computer simulation model was developed for analysis of different performance parameters of mechanical harvesting and transportation of sugarcane. The model was based on time utilization study of harvester, physical characteristics of sugarcane fields and performance of the transporting trucks for a sugar mill. The performance components were taken as per the BIS (1979) code and data for validation of the model was collected from Shakti Sugars Limited, Shaktinagar, Tamilnadu. The model could estimate the output of the harvester (tons/day), and cost components like harvesting, transportation and total system cost of harvesting and transportation (Rs./ton) for a given set of conditions. Based on the minimum system cost it determines the optimum number of transporting trucks after simulating the harvesting and transport operation.