“High Climber” Harvester Added to Samart Range

The sugar producing world has changed. A generation where once, fit men went out into the field and harvested crop by hand has died. For a number of reasons, the labour pool serving cane harvesting has diminished to the point where farmers can no longer rely upon “cutters” to be available to bring in their crop. The challenge for many farmers now, is how quickly the transition to mechanical harvesting can take place? For some, the change entails nothing more than selecting a machine, training staff and managing the logistics of a chopped product as opposed to full stalk cane.  

Traditionally though, cane fields in SE Asia have been established wherever there was land that would accept planting. After all, manual “cutters” can work anywhere? Sure, they can easily work the flat land, but also hillsides and mountain slopes, and can get into those restricted small areas on a field, that are a bit “awkward” but still produce good cane.  

Such areas though, are challenges for many mechanical harvesters because of the sheer size of the machines, and lack of manoeuvrability. Plus the fact that they always need to be “shadowed” by a truck and trailer to collect the cut product. These type of machines just do not work in such areas. Heavy, old fashioned designs which curb productivity and whose “follow on” trucks damage the cut stalks and diminish the “ratoon”. 

As with many challenges, all can be overcome with the correct equipment. It just needs the input from a company that understands cane harvesting. Fortunately, there are designers and manufacturers who do understand where Asian farmers stand on this. Samart Kaset Yon Ltd, for example, has for some time been manufacturing machines that address the everyday challenges that Asian farmers who have difficult terrain conditions face.  

One prominent feature of the range being that Samart Kaset Yon Ltd has only ever produced machines which “self-unload”. What does that mean? Well, it means that all Samart cane harvesters have facilities to hold the cane “on board” until it can be conveniently unloaded into transport.  

Their SM200C for example holds nearly two tonnes “on board” allowing it to work rows which are in restrictive positions, or operate on slopes without having to worry about a “follow on” truck becoming stuck on the headland, or falling into a drainage ditch. Its robust heavy duty rubber track drive allows reliable operation on slopes of up to 40 degrees, which is more than enough for almost every application. The machine also excels at gathering damaged crop, for example extreme damaged, burned or severely “lodges” cane will be easily picked up by the SM200C’s crop dividers. 

Since COVID, many new farmers have emerged and have begun to recognise the SM200C as a good “all round” investment for small and medium size farms, because although it is compact and manoeuvrable, it has a cutting capacity of 20 tonnes per hour making it a useful tool for the bigger plots. Also, for the farmer new to machine harvesting, the SM200C is very easy to operate and maintain, making it an ideal first purchase when mechanising.  

Also, with interest spreading from other countries Samart engineers have recognised the emphasis that many place on the ability of the machine to work slopes. Even bigger commercial plantations who had previously “written off” vast areas of their plantations as unsuitable for mechanisation are starting to focus on the SM200C because of its ability to climb and turn. Responding to this Samart have now released the new generation SM200C “High Climber”.  

So, apart from the bright “High Climber” decal on the crop dividers what can I expect when looking at this new derivative? Well, whilst the name may be fairly predictable, the specification is not.  

The model retains the well proven SM200C rubber track drive system with “skid steering”, which minimises ground compaction. The front end now becomes the latest crop divider system from the Predator model line. This gives the SM200C exceptional pick up even on seriously “lodges” cane, and handles burned cane with ease. The base cutter also has the latest low noise gear drive and a superbly clean cut, with no risk of drag on the plant stalk.  

A big change also, is to the power plant. Power is now provided by a Volvo Penta 140 kW high torque 6 cylinder diesel engine (European sourced) managed through the Samart ETec control system. This exceptional engine delivers up to 1060 Nm of torque into the machine’s hydrostatic drive system, so ensuring the demands of any cane condition will be handled with ease.  

During operation, the ETec system monitors the response of the machine by the millisecond and adjusts engine torque accordingly, meaning that only the exact requirements for power and torque are being delivered to the machine throughout the harvesting cycle. This configuration has been proven to return a fuel consumption of less than 1 litre per cut tonne on other models. Fuel consumption for the new “High Climber” is projected to be at least as good.  

“Less Than 1 Litre Fuel per Cut Tonne” 

On the processing side, the chopper roller is rubberised. Unlike metal faced rollers this gives a much cleaner finished cane billet. No soil, and a clean stalk. On inspection of cut billets, one can see that the process leaves the “eyes” undamaged. Cane billets processed by Samart machines could be used immediately to be replanted as seed cane. At the rear of the machine, the familiar Samart self-unloader means the machine can operate independently whilst cutting, then, unload on the headland at the end of the row.  

From a service aspect daily maintenance has been simplified and engine service intervals extended. All machines now feature advanced fuel filtration ensuring that nothing nasty gets into the engine to cause breakdowns, whilst the diagnostic ability of the ETec system ensures that problems which do occur can be dealt with expediently, minimising down time and maintaining the productivity of investment.  

Most current customers also value the fact that parts are freely available throughout SE Asia, and are reasonably priced. Unlike some competitive products Samart machines are supported by people, not “Teams”, faceless AI chat lines, or websites that have no contact details. Many Samart farmers are now making money from sugar for the first time in their lives and Samart wants that to keep happening. That is why the new model has been released. A product to address the needs of real farms, and real farmers.  

Come and speak to Samart at our offices in Hankha, or attend one of our customer days, or just chat to one of our advisers wherever you are in the world. Be ready to meet the demand. You deserve it.