SASRI conducts research to assess the impact of mechanisation on sugarcane production efficiencies and sustainability. Mechanisation accounts for about 50% of the total cost of sugarcane production, even when cane is cut manually. With agricultural profit margins decreasing continuously, it is crucial that every effort is made to use farm machinery as efficiently as possible. Small savings on production costs can translate into large increases in net profit.
SASRI Mechanisation Reports
2021 Mech Report No 1: Costing machinery Systems – Download PDF
2021 Mech Report No 2: Systems and Costs of Land Preparation, Planting and Ratoon Management – Download PDF
Agricultural Machinery and Equipment: Products and Suppliers
Mechanisation Posters
Maximum allowable payload for vehicle combinations – PDF (105kb)
SASRI Information Sheets
Mechanical sugarcane harvesting systems – PDF (115kb)
Factors to consider when implementing mechanised cane harvesting – PDF (112kb)
Mechanisation Articles, Papers and Reports
Mechanical Sugarcane Harvesting – PDF (85kb)
Dumisani Loading Profile, Sugar Journal, June 2011 – PDF (112kb)
An economical mechanical front mounted cane cutter for tractors – PDF (200kb)
Useful Links
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Mechanisation Cost Guide
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Mechanisation Cost Guide PDF
KwaZulu Natal Department of Agriculture
South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers: Standards and Norms
Agricultural Research Council: Mechanisation
University of KwaZulu Natal: Agricultural Engineering Research
