On-screen monitoring, logging, and performance mapping
Exclusive John Deere technology
Data-driven decisions
Harvest Monitor is the latest 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.
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 is available as an option on the CH570 and CH670 Harvesters and can also be purchased as a field-installed kit for both models as well as 3520 Harvesters built after 2013.
Harvest Monitor features
Harvest Monitor installed on a CH570
Harvest Monitor is much more than just a yield monitor. It includes:
- Optical yield monitor
- Optical extraneous matter (trash) 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 optical sensors
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.
Georeferenced data
StarFire™ 6000 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 (StarFire 6000 Receiver is recommended).
On-screen monitoring
Harvest Monitor screen
On-screen live cane flow
Harvest Monitor screen shot
While harvesting, the display will show:
- Harvester pour rate (ton/h)
- Extraneous matter (trash percentage)
- Fuel consumption (L/ton or gal./ton)
- Yield (ton/ha or ton/acre)
- Transport load count
- Live elevator cane flow video
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.
Pour rate is defined as how fast the cane flows through the machine and is measured in tons per hour (ton/h). A soft key enables the operator to toggle between elevator hours (elevator pour rate) and total harvester hours (harvester pour rate). This soft key also changes the reading of fuel consumption using either elevator or total harvester hours.
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
Screen shot showing 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.
Data-driven smart decisions on the go
CH570 operating in the field
Based on live information, the operator can make quick adjustments to the harvester to maintain a profitable harvesting rate while delivering the preferred level of cane quality. Some of these adjustments are:
- Primary extractor fan rpm
- Ground speed
- FieldCruise™ mode
Primary extractor fan blades
Chopper blades
The system will also help to determine when the chopper and extractor fan blades need to be replaced, or if other related service is required in order to maintain optimum operating performance.
Examples of third-party maps
Location map using Google Earth™ mapping service
Elevation map
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
Map showing low and high areas
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)
Mapping and data management
Generated maps
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. The data is ADAPT compatible so it can also be handled with available third-party software programs in regions where Operations Center is not accessible.
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
Total mass map (cane and trash)
Cane map
Calibration
CH570 working with weigh wagon
Calibration screen
During harvesting, the Harvest Monitor can be calibrated manually by entering weight information for the load supplied by the mill.
It can also be calibrated automatically when operating with a weigh wagon equipped with a compatible system. Each time the harvester operates next to the weigh wagon, Harvest Monitor will interact with it and self-calibrate.
The weigh wagon must be equipped with an appropriate load cell system. Both the harvester and tractor require matching wireless communication devices, available as a field-installed option.
NOTE: The wireless communicating device is available as an option. The load cell system is not offered by John Deere. It can be acquired from third parties, but it needs to be previously validated for compatibility.
The maps can also be calibrated using field report data supplied from the sugar mill.
Field-installed kits
All units on a harvesting front should be equipped with Harvest Monitor to cover the complete farm.
Kits are available for all CH570 and CH670 Harvesters and for 3520 Harvesters starting with serial number 1T83520THDT121205. The 3520 requires a GreenStar™ 3 2630 Display mounted overhead.
System operation needs a StarFire GPS receiver (StarFire 6000 Receiver is recommended).
Google Earth is a trademark of Google Inc.
Extraneous matter (trash) map
Fuel-rate 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.