Sugarcane Basecutters: A Critical Review

Abstract

HighlightsThis article is focused on the technology review of sugarcane basecutters.Two cutting theories and two cutting modes are briefly reviewed.Three optimization methods of parameters for the sugarcane basecutter are summarized.Four potential research interests to improve the basecutting quality are discussed.Abstract. Basecutter is a core component of a sugarcane harvester, and its performance significantly influences cane yield and harvesting efficiency. Therefore, it is meaningful to conduct a critical review of sugarcane basecutters. In this article, an introduction about basecutter structure was performed first; then two cutting theories (support/free cutting) and two cutting modes (straight/sliding cutting) were briefly reviewed; and the advantages and disadvantages of different cutting modes were summarized. It was followed by a comprehensive introduction of three optimization methods: theoretical analysis and simulation, indoor experiments, and field experiments. Finally, four potential research interests in improving basecutting quality and exploring the stubble damage process were discussed. In this review, the comprehensive, detailed, and accurate information about sugarcane basecutter was expected to provide engineers with a technology reference to improve the basecutting performance. Keywords: Basecutter, Cutting theories and modes, Optimization methods, Potential research interests, Sugarcane harvester.