Samuel Galeano, Henrry Tarapues and Alejandro EstradaColombian Sugarcane Research Center (CENICAÑA), Experimental Station, Cali-Florida Highway Km 26, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
The quality of mechanical harvesting operations in the Cauca River Valley (currently at 75%) was characterized, based on field conditions and the dimensions of harvesting equipment. The actual row spacings compared to the planned measurements of 1.5, 1.65, and 1.75 m have deviated by 7.5%, 3.6%, and 1.7%, respectively, from the planned value. This deviation is due to a lack of consistency between the furrows and the dimensions of the harvesters’ tracks, as well as the wheels of tractors and self-dumping wagons, which do not align with the distances and dimensions of the furrows, leading to trampling issues. The ideal width of the stools, which should be between 50 and 55 cm to harmonize with the cutting disc radius of the harvesters, is 69.9 cm, meaning they are 27% wider than optimal. The shapes of the furrows were categorized into six types, two of which (uniform and trapezoidal) are desirable for achieving better basecutting quality indices. These desirable shapes represent 60% of the total, while the remaining 40% show irregular shapes that hinder a higher quality basecutting index, with the «volcano» or «M» type being the least desirable. The basecutting quality index is at -0.17 (on a scale of -1 to 1, where -1 is the healthiest and 1 is the most damaged). Regarding cane billet quality, 67.6% were sounds, while the remaining 32.4% as damaged or mutilated. In conclusion, the quality results of the harvest are the product of the interaction between machines and cultivation conditions, which must be harmonized to achieve the best results.