On-screen monitoring, logging, and performance mapping

Exclusive John Deere technology

Data-driven decisions

Harvest Monitor is an industry-exclusive technology from John Deere. Harvest Monitor gathers and analyzes valuable harvest information, enabling sugarcane producers to make smarter decisions that drive down harvesting costs and improve overall farming practices.

From the cab, the operator can monitor total tons harvested, harvester productivity, trash percentage, and fuel consumption. The operator can then use this information to make on-the-fly adjustments to optimize performance.

SmartClean system is the latest enhancement of Harvest Monitor that allows automatic control of primary extractor fan speed based on the operator’s preferences in order to obtain the most profitable balance between cane cleanliness and reduced loss.

Through the John Deere Operations Center, the data can be processed to generate yield and other valuable maps and reports that will guide producers into making the right decisions on soil and water management, chemical application, crop renewal, field layout, equipment logistics, and much more.

Harvest Monitor features

Harvest Monitor installed on a CH960

Harvest Monitor is much more than just a yield monitor. It includes:

Optical yield monitor
Elevator optical extraneous matter (trash) monitor
Primary extractor cane loss monitor
Primary extractor residue (trash) discharge monitor
Fuel per ton monitor
Pour-rate monitor
Elevation monitor
Transport load counter

Harvest Monitor was designed to operate efficiently in all weather conditions. It is a low maintenance system with no additional wear items thanks to its optical technology that does not require direct contact with the cane.

Optical yield and trash monitor technology

Harvest Monitor

High-resolution, stereoscopic optical sensors and pattern recognition technology are used to scan the flow of cane as it passes through the elevator, identifying cane volume and differentiating it from trash. Four light-emitting diode (LED) lights illuminate the sampling area to ensure uninterrupted visual clarity.

Flow of cane being scanned

Image recognition

The system converts the volumes to mass in order to obtain tons of cane and extraneous matter level.

SmartClean system, an intelligent way of cleaning cane

SmartClean illustration

With the use of sensors, the SmartClean system detects cane being lost through the primary extractor and displays it on the CommandCenter screen as an index. The level of residue or cane leaves being removed is also detected and displayed as an index.

Aiming at the best economic outcome for the operation, the operator selects the target level of the following parameters and lets the system continuously and automatically find the appropriate primary extractor fan speed:

Elevator extraneous matter (trash)
Primary extractor cane loss
Primary extractor residue discharge

SmartClean system setting page

SmartClean enables operational consistency throughout the day regardless of weather conditions and individual operator practices. Understanding the residue level is important for biomass power generation projects to determine residue collection logistics and viability.

Georeferenced data

StarFire™ Receiver

Sugar cane field yield map

Data points are georeferenced to precise field locations using global positioning system (GPS) technology. With appropriate software, a variety of informative maps can be generated. The system operation requires a GPS receiver.

Data-driven smart decisions on the go

CH960 operating in the field

With SmartClean activated and based on live information, the operator can make other quick adjustments to the harvester, like ground speed and FieldCruise™ settings, to maintain the most profitable harvesting rate while delivering the preferred level of cane quality and reduced loss.

On-screen monitoring

Home page showing Harvest Monitor information (LH) and video (RH)

Home page showing Harvest Monitor information (LH) and video (RH)

While harvesting, the display will show:

Harvester pour rate (ton/h)
Extraneous matter (trash percentage)
Primary extractor cane loss (index)
Primary extractor residue discharge (index)
Fuel consumption (L/ton or gal./ton)
Yield (ton/ha or ton/acre)
Transport load count
Live elevator cane flow video

The CommandCenter display layout is configurable so the operator can have Harvest Monitor and SmartClean system displayed together on the same screen. Average, best, and current values of extraneous matter, fuel consumption, and pour rate are displayed instantaneously or as historical figures. Also available on the display is a summary report of all data.

A yield map can also be seen on the display, as well as live video of cane as it flows through the elevator.

Transport load counter

To keep records of the number of wagons completed, the operator will click the “Save Load” soft key every time a unit is loaded. The screen will show the total loads from a field, shift, whole season, or another preselected period of time. The sugar mill destination can also be recorded for each load.

Primary extractor fan blades

Chopper blades

The information may also help to determine if the chopper and extractor fan blades need to be replaced, or if other related service is required in order to maintain optimum operating performance.

In-field equipment transloading into highway trucks

In-field equipment transloading into highway trucks

Multiple harvesters

The live yield data simplifies daily logistics decisions, including the number of transport units required and the correct timing to efficiently complete the assigned cane quota. In addition, field harvesting progress and remaining unharvested area can be seen on the screen for a great visual of the operation that can facilitate the transition to the next field.

Elevation monitor

Surveying the field while harvesting

Field elevation map

Georeferenced samples that include elevation readings are taken every second. As the harvester travels down each row, numerous elevation readings representing the topography of the area harvested are recorded.

Example of a typical field:

Row spacing: 1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Operating speed: 5.4 km/h (3.4 mph)
Readings per hectare: 4,444
Represented area: 1.5 m by 1.5 m (4.9 ft by 4.9 ft)

Field elevation map

The maps and reports will help to determine the best solutions for:

Chemical application
Water management
Cultivating practices
Gap planting
Crop renewal
Variety selection and performance
Seed rate
Land leveling
Field layout
Equipment operation management
Logistics

Information can also be used to evaluate results of previously implemented solutions to make adjustments if needed.

*Google Earth is a trademark of Google LLC.

Mapping and data management

Decisions on agronomical practices and logistics

Decisions on agronomical practices and logistics

The Harvest Monitor data can be processed through John Deere’s Operations Center to generate maps and reports that will help optimize operations.

Different types of maps can be created for a clear visualization of current farm conditions:

Yield variability
Harvester productivity
Fuel consumption
Extraneous matter
Field elevation

Examples of generated maps

Crop yield map

Yield contour map

Extraneous matter (trash) map

Harvester speed map

Calibration

CH570 working with weigh wagon

During harvesting, Harvest Monitor can be calibrated manually by entering weight information for the load supplied by the mill or from a weight wagon on operations that use it.

The maps can also be calibrated using field report data supplied from the sugar mill.

CH960 Sugar Cane Harvester