Stubble damage of sugarcane stalks in cutting test by smooth-edge blade

The damage of stubble influences the quality of its biennial root. The influencing factors on the damage were experimentally investigated using home-made test equipment. It is found that the damage of the stubble can be classified into six grades: no damage, minor edge, major edge, minor split, split and shatter. Minor split, split and shatter were defined as serious damage. Under the test condition of this paper, minor edge and major edge damage cannot be avoided. Cutting velocity has the most significant effect on stubble damage. When the velocity is higher, the serious damage ratio is lower. The next factor is the opposite position between the base cutter and the stalk, and forward speed. The best parameter combination is that: cutting speed is 26.39 m/s, sugarcane is in the up-position, and forward speed is 0.546 m/s. In the best parameter combination, major edge damage percentage is 55%, minor edge damage percentage is 20%, no damage percentage is 25%, and serious damage percentage is 0.