ABSTRACT
Mechanisation of the sugarcane harvest has been on the increase in those states where sugarcane is produced, because of the need to eradicate pre-harvest burning throughout the area of sugarcane plantation by 2017. However, the base cutting system of the harvesters is still proving inefficient, directly interfering in the quality of the raw material and compromising the life of the plantation. The aim of this study therefore, was to evaluate the indices for damage and loss in ratoon sugarcane, for three types of knife used in base cutting in harvesters, using two knives coated with tungsten carbide and another uncoated, all at different angles. The experimental design was completely randomised into bands, with the number of replications defined as a function of the time and mode of use of the knives. The variables cutting height and the indices of damage and loss in the ratoon cane were used as quality indicators. The indices of damage and loss are influenced by the type of knife used. From the indices of damage and loss in the ratoon cane, the highest operating quality is seen with coated knives at an angle of 13º.
Key words:
Mechanical harvesting; Damage index in ratoon cane; Loss index in ratoon cane
