THE HARVESTING OF THE CANE. 



yoke is now parallel with the centre line of the shed ; on being transferred by 

 the travelling crane over the cars it is capable of being turned through an 

 angle of 90. In other factories the position of the cars, with reference to 

 the centre line of the shed, is at right angles to the position shown in Fig. 97 ; 

 the hopper into which the canes are dumped is shown in the same illustration. 

 A third modification also used by this Company dispenses with the hoist 

 altogether. Slings are placed in the car, as before. The cars are furnished 

 with drop sides, so that a continuous platform to the hopper is provided. The 

 end of the sling, remote from the hopper, is attached to a wire rope passing 

 over a pulley block fixed to the roof of the shed. The car is anchored to the 

 ground, and a pull on the hoisting rope rolls the load of cane into the hopper. 



FIG. 100. 



In Fig 98 is a diagrammatic view of this arrangement ; a is the hoisting rope 

 receiving power from the sprocket wheel g ; b is the free end of the cane 

 sling ; c is the counter-weight rope, and d the counter-weight box ; / is the 

 operating platform; h the hopper; and i the anchor rope. 



In another method the cane conveyances are tilted, electric or hydraulic 

 power being used, the canes falling into a pit similar to that in Fig. 97 ; this 

 system is illustrated in Fig. 99 (PLATE XV.). A view of a rake system of 

 unloading cane is seen in Fig. 100. The unloading appliance consists of an 

 endless chain passing over a frame which is hinged at its base, and is capable 

 of being raised and lowered. On the endless chain is arranged a series of angle 

 pieces, the whole system of chain and angle pieces forming a continuous rake. 



167 



