Abstract
In order to mechanize the topping operations of sugar cane, a topping machine using a rotary saw was developed examining the topping performances of the machine. The stripping performances of a long-stem type stripping machine was also tested for improving the working efficiency.
The results were summarized as follows.
1) Increased topping rate of the cane at a proper node was 94.1% under cane conveyor and cutter speeds of 0.25 and 18.0m/s, respectively.
2) Higher topping rate of the cane at an improper node and non-topping rate were obtained, respectively under the cane conveyor speed of 0.25m/s and above, as it was highly affected by the operator's feeding ability.
3) Higher topping efficiency was 1, 638kg/h under the cane conveyor speed of 0.25m/s and cutter speed of 18.0m/s, which was about 3 times as much as that by hand operation. The practical usage of this machine was well recognized.
4) The automation of the feeding process of the canes and the handling method of the bended canes at a large angle must be investigated in the future.
5) In the case of a combination of topping and stripping machines, the stripping performances were obtained as 80.3, 2.5 and 0.1% for detrash rate, trash rate and cane loss, respectively. The working efficiency was 865kg/h, which was about 7 timeshigher as compared with manual operation.
