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

ABSTRACT In 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.

摘要：在甘蔗机械化收获作业中，需将自走式收割机与名为田间转运车（infield wagon）的农机具配套使用，该设备可完成收获物料的存储与转运工作。甘蔗生产的总成本中，30%至60%的占比源自该收获转运环节。在农机作业成本构成中，维修与保养成本（cost of repair and maintenance，CRM）占据重要比例。为此，本研究采用美国农业与生物工程师协会（American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers，ASABE）提出的方法，基于田间转运车的服役时长（使用小时数）构建其维修保养成本数学模型并确定模型参数。研究针对两台来自不同制造商的田间转运车，采集了其长达12年的使用成本数据，分别拟合得到对应的维修保养成本模型，并通过描述性统计方法完成模型的调整与验证。结果表明，受试的各台田间转运车的拟合维修保养成本方程存在差异，该模型可为甘蔗加工厂的机械化管理提供有效支撑，能够为管理者在农机具采购与运维管理的决策提供参考依据。