3. Implementation

Step 1 – Cane harvesting

It is becoming increasingly rare to harvest sugarcane by hand, as this operation is now carried out by cane harvesters. However, this is still the case in some countries, notably India, the largest producer. These machines first cut the upper part of the cane (plumet and leaves), which measures over 4 m, using a "peeler". The canes are bent towards the front of the machine, which cuts them at the base, above the roots, with two large knives. Then, 4 lateral augers (2 on the right and 2 on the left) allow the canes to enter the processing zone, over a width of around 2 m. The canes are then drawn into the infeed conveyor by a horizontal rotating cylinder fitted with knives, which cut them into segments of 20 cm or more. Finally, the canes are ejected into the tractor trailer, before the foliage is removed at the rear...