Dear Editor,
Harvested cane at Skeldon is unloaded mechanically, with the entire punt lifted, and its contents discharged onto conveyors. The importance of this unloading procedure cannot be understated, since any malfunction would paralyze all downstream processing.
Workhorse assemblies of this type are expected to operate in solid fashion, generate some measure of confidence, and operate for many years without major overhaul.
The lift assembly at Skeldon has a halting, stop/go action, along with vibration, as it lifts the cane-filled punt. This action does not bode well for long term reliability, and it may be prudent to conduct a thorough assessment of this assembly, to verify its suitability for heavy duty operation.
Yours faithfully,
Patrick Scott
