Operational management of the cane infield wagon: Analysis of the cost of repair and maintenance

Abstract

A B S T R A C TIn the mechanical harvesting of sugarcane, a self-propelled harvester is used in conjunction with an agricultural implement named infield wagon, which has the function of storing and transporting the harvested product. Much of the cost of sugarcane production comes from this operation (30 to 60%). Among the operational costs of agricultural machinery, the cost of repair and maintenance (CRM) is relevant. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the parameters of the CRM mathematical model based on the life (hours of use) for the infield wagon, using the method of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). These CRM models were obtained for two sets of infield wagon from different manufacturers and their costs over up to 12 years. The model was adjusted and then validated using descriptive statistics methods. Fitted CRM equations were different for each analyzed set of infield wagon and, therefore, are a valuable tool in the management of mechanization in sugarcane mills as it provides elements that can support decision-making of managers in the acquisition and management of agricultural implements.Gestão operacional do transbordo de cana-de-açúcar: Análise do custo de reparo e manutenção R E S U M O Na colheita mecanizada de cana-de-açúcar é utilizada uma colhedora autopropelida em conjunto com uma máquina agrícola denominada de transbordo, que tem a função de transportar o produto colhido. Os custos com o corte, carregamento e transporte variam entre 30 e 60% dos custos de produção da cana-de-açúcar. Dentre os custos operacionais de máquinas agrícolas, o custo de reparo e manutenção (CRM) possui relevância, sendo assim, objetivou-se neste trabalho determinar os parâmetros do modelo matemático do CRM em função da vida (horas de uso) para o transbordo, utilizando o método da American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). Estes modelos de CRM foram obtidos para dois conjuntos de transbordos de fabricantes diferentes e seus dados despendidos ao longo de até 12 anos. O modelo foi ajustado e posteriormente validado utilizando métodos de estatística descritiva. As equações ajustadas do CRM foram diferentes para cada conjunto de transbordo analisado, sendo portanto, uma ferramenta importante na gestão da mecanização nas usinas pois fornece elementos que podem subsidiar as tomadas de decisão dos gestores na aquisição e gerenciamento de equipamentos agrícolas. Key words:mechanical harvesting of sugarcane management of mechanization agricultural costs Palavras-chave: colheita mecanizada da cana-deaçúcar gestão da mecanização custos agrícolas

Operating cost of sugarcane harvester in function of agricultural productivity and harvester age

“…RME is incurred when the machine is being used and is influenced by many factors such as the power of the equipment, adjustment of the machine, maintenance plan, age of the machine, operating location, and the operator's skill. Harvester RME in relation to the operating life of the equipment to state the range (Banchi et al, 2008), a factor that was also observed in a study on the RME of transshipments used in sugarcane harvesting operations (Galvão et al, 2018). Therefore, since this factor is not fixed, an empirical equation was used that .…”

“…In this context, repair and maintenance expenses (RME) increase over the operating life of the machine, and a mathematical model for this phenomenon can be developed. Galvão et al (2018) performed an important study on the operating life of transshipments, which are used in the process of mechanized agricultural harvesting of sugarcane and demonstrated the feasibility and usefulness of creating these models for a better evaluation of the process.…”